Going on adventures with children is an excellent way for them to learn and get used to new surroundings. And yet, the moment you step outside the door, a child’s safety is at risk.
You can’t control your child’s every action. Every child is going to slip and fall sometimes. But what you can do is teach them safety tips so they can avoid more serious injuries.
Whether you’re traveling or your child is playing outdoors, keeping them out of harm’s way is vital. These tips will shed some light on steps you can take to keep children safe while on the go.
1. Teach Them About Pedestrian Safety
If they’re old enough, your child may walk, ride a bike, and do other outside activities by themselves. Unfortunately, you’re not there to keep an eye on them 24/7, so you must teach them how to be a careful pedestrian.
Teach them the following tips so they’ll stay vigilant on their own:
- Teach them to put down their phones and other devices before crossing the street
- Teach them to make eye contact with the driver of a car before crossing the street.
- Have them walk on sidewalks and choose other paths that are well mapped out.
- Have them look for crosswalks, street corners, and traffic signals to cross roads.
- Have them look out for dangerous situations like aggressive dogs and speeding motorcycles.
Establishing rules for your child will keep them protected. Plus, these positive habits will carry into adulthood.
3. Keep Them Safe at Nighttime
After the sun sets, it becomes more challenging to keep track of children. So if you’re doing activities with them, keep them close to you. Besides having them by your side, there are other ways to keep them safe at night.
Here are a few ways to focus on their safety after dark:
- Carry a flashlight with you if there isn’t a lot of lighting.
- Dress your children in light-colored clothing.
- If you’re exercising, have them wear a reflective shirt, pants, or shoes.
When it’s dark, it’s harder to know where children are, and more dangers are present. So stay watchful, especially when you’re around cars.
If you have more than one child it can be challenging to monitor everyone at once. In this situation, ask the older children to keep an eye on the younger ones.
4. Teach a Child a Buzzword to Make Them Stop
If you have a young child, there may be moments where you need them to stop in their tracks. This could be due to you managing several kids at once or if you feel they may be in danger.
Having a buzzword that a child hears and knows to stop right away is something you should establish
If you do this, your buzzword should be a word that you don’t use on a day-to-day basis. For example, if you use the phrase “please stop” at home, that’s not the right buzzword to select.
Instead, having children learn a buzzword like “freeze” or “halt” is better. A unique word like “freeze” is more likely to get their attention instead of the word stop.
4. Hire a Security Guard
You may be a high-profile person who is concerned about your children’s safety. Then, hiring an unarmed security guard can put your mind at ease.
You may own a well-known business in California, for example, and want to know your children are safe. While they’re at home and you’re working, you can have a security guard watching over the property.
If you’re worried about hiring an armed guard, you needn’t be. You can employ unarmed guards, as well. Unarmed guards are less intimidating for children to be around, and they still can provide as much protection.
The presence of a guard alone can keep criminals away. Plus, if you’re worried about theft and other criminal activities, guards can help with this as well.
5. Be a Role Model
A lot of what your child learns comes from you, so watch how you respond to situations while you’re with them.
Being polite to strangers shows kindness and kindness is something they should learn. But when it comes to strangers, you should teach your child not to speak to one unless they’re with you.
You can also be a role model while you’re doing outdoor activities like bike riding. When you’re out on a ride, for example, communicate with them the entire time. For instance, you could let them know when a crosswalk is approaching.
Establishing guidelines your child can follow while outside prompts them to make wise decisions. Thanks to your guidance, they’ll be more likely to stay out of harm’s way.
Conclusion
Keeping kids happy and safe is the goal for all parents. It’s hard knowing you can’t be with them 24/7. But by educating them on how to react in certain situations, you should be able to sleep better at night.
You’re doing all you can to teach your children how to be careful in any situation!
