Heading into a new school year and taking the time to talk about safety is extremely important. The way you approach your child about safety issues is extremely important. Check out these 5 safety tips to focus on with your child.
#1. Stranger Danger
Okay, this is one safety tips every parent needs to have with their child, starting now. You can teach your child about stranger danger by teaching them different techniques. A child should know when someone new is going to pick them up from an event. You can instill a “password” protection by having your child ask the stranger for a specific password. Talk to your child about the importance of NEVER getting in a car with a person they don’t know.
#2. Internet Safety
It seems as though kids are learning to use a computer earlier and earlier these days. If for some reason, you are not around to supervise your child on the Internet, teach them proper safety tips, to ensure they’re protected. Make sure your kids know to not give out their personal information to anyone in real life or on the Internet. Also, talk to your kids about not meeting someone in real life from the Internet. (Seems basic, but it’s vital to go over this information).
#3. Bike Safety
If your child will be riding their bike to school or at least around the neighbourhood after school, there are some things they should know. It’s vital to teach your child about all bicycle traffic signs, I don’t think anyone is ever too early to know those. Having the right helmet is also a matter of life or death, so take your time choosing one that fits correctly. Teaching your child to watch out for cars is also important. Many bicycle deaths happen because neither party is paying attention.
#4. Personal Information
While, you don’t want your child to hand out personal information, it’s important that you teach your child their basic personal information. Teaching them their address, name, phone number, and parents name are extremely important. Teaching your child about 9-1-1 and its proper use is also imperative, in case someone needs to reach you for an emergency.
#5. Bus Safety
If your kids will start riding the bus this school year, it’s important to take some time teaching your child some basic safety tools. You should know that busses are very safe for children to ride back and forth, so mom and dad can take a deep breath. Children should know not to cross the road behind a bus. They should also know to look both ways before crossing.
Make sure your child knows these basic safety tips because it will give you and your child both peace of mind.