Teaching Your Child Safety Rules And Skills

Many of us, as we raise our children, find ourselves repeating many of the old adages that our parents said to us as we were growing up. "Look both ways before you cross the street" is one of the stock phrases in every parent's vocabulary. Other well-worn pieces of advice are conveyed in different ways but contain the same message no matter where you live.

In this section we'd like to review some of these, as well as adding a few that are appropriate for children today. As important as reinforcing these messages by repetition, is accompanying them with an explanation your child can understand. When the consequences are discussed, children are better able to appreciate why these are rules to live by. Also, be sure to point out examples of safe behaviour by others and commend your child for practicing these safety rules.

Simple Safety Rules

If you burn yourself, immediately put the burn under cool water. Keep it there as long as it feels comfortable.

If you or your clothing catch fire:

• Stop where you are, immediately
• Drop to the ground and
• Roll over and over until the fire is out.

Parents: Practice this stop, drop, and roll technique with your child.

• If you find matches or a lighter tell Mom, Dad or another adult.
• If you see a fire starting, don't hide but call for help immediately.
• If you start to bleed or are stung by a bee or other insect, stop playing and get first aid from Mom, Dad or another adult you trust.
• Never eat or drink anything or take any kind of medicine without your parents' or a trusted adult's permission.
• If you ever drink anything that burns your mouth or that you know you should not have swallowed, immediately tell your Mom, Dad or another adult.
• Do not play with electrical outlets, microwave ovens, power tools or other machinery and equipment around the house your mom or dad have deemed "off limits."
• Always buckle your seat belt and lock your car door.
• Look left, right, and then left again, before crossing the street.
• Never tell anyone over the phone that you are home alone, and never open the door to strangers when you are home alone.
• Never talk to strangers, and beware of anyone trying to give you candy, gifts, or money, or asking you to help them find a lost dog or cat.
• Always tell your Mom or Dad where you'll be playing, and never play in parking lots, empty buildings, or alleys.
• Adults do not usually ask children for directions or help. If someone asks you for directions do not go near the car. Always know a neighbour you can go to on your way to and from school, the playground or the park.
• If someone is following you on foot or in a car, go to a place where there are other people - to a neighbour's home or into a store and ask for help. Do not go near the car to talk to anyone inside and do not try to hide behind bushes.
• Do NOT get in a car or go anywhere with any person unless your parents have told you that it is okay. Your child should learn in whose car he is allowed to ride. Warn your child that someone might try to lure him into a car by claiming you said to pick him up; tell him never to obey such instructions. Instead, he should go back to the school for help.
• If someone tries to take you somewhere without your parents' permission, quickly get away from him or her and scream, "This person is not my parent!"
• If you get separated from your parents in a public place, go to a checkout counter, security office or lost and found area. Tell the person in charge that you need help finding your parents.
• If someone wants to take your picture, say NO and tell your parents, day care provider or teacher.
• If someone touches you and you don't feel comfortable about it, tell your mom, dad or an adult friend; keep telling people until you are sure someone believes you.
• Tell your Mom or Dad if an adult asks you to "Keep a secret."
• Never give out identifying information or personal information in a public message such as a "chat" or bulletin board, and be sure you're dealing with someone both you and your child know and trust before disclosing identifying information in an email. Never put your picture on the Internet without your parent's permission.
• Never make arrangements for a face-to-face meeting with someone you have met on the Internet without your parent's permission.  

Basic Safety Skills  

In addition to the above rules, teach your child the following basic skills:

His or her name, address (including city, state and zip code), and phone number (including area code), as well as your work phone numbers.

NOTE:  We do not intend this section to be a substitute for medical advice. Regular communication with a trusted pediatrician is one of the most important ways to safeguard your children's health. However, as more and more parents become concerned about personal health and helping their children avoid many of their bad habits, we have tried to touch on those areas that you might want to explore further with your doctor or medical provider.

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