“You can teach children to be safe without scaring them – You just need to know how.”
Teaching Kids to Be Safe Without Making Them Scared | Kidpower International
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"Children need to understand that there are different safety rules when they are not in the care of their adult and when they are on their own. Children who are only a short distance away from an adult in charge even for a few minutes are on their own. They don’t need to worry. They just need to know what to do." - Kidpower International | Kidpower International |
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Maintaining safety at home and within the family is something that cannot be accomplished by a single person but needs participation from everyone in the family. There are various aspects that every family needs to consider to ensure that home is a safe place for all the members.
Three easy rules everyone can implement with their families to keep children safe:
1) The Safety Family word rule:This code word or phrase can make it much easier for a child to ask for help. For example, a child could call and say, “my eyes are burning” or “my stomach feels strange.” When they use the agreed upon code phrase, you know your child can’t tell you what’s wrong, but they need to be picked up right away. - Code Words: Giving Kids an Easy (and Safe) Way Out | Protect Young Minds
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2) The rule of three:To prevent dangerous situations, make sure that there are two adults and one kid, or two kids and one adult at all times. "If you eliminate or reduce isolated, one-on-one situations between children and adults, as well as children and other youth, you’ll dramatically reduce the risk of sexual abuse."
https://www.d2l.org/education/5-steps/step-2/ |
3) Always ask first rule:"Alongside your family’s other safety rules, establish an “always ask first” rule. This means that your kids should always ask you or the adult in charge before anyone can give them something, take them somewhere, or do something with them." - Safety Rules - Early, Open, Often (earlyopenoften.org)
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Another way to practice the Always Ask First Rule, is to ask your child what would he/she do in specific situations, such as:
- What would you do if someone you know offered you a ride home?
- What would you do if you were in the park and someone you don’t know asked you to help look for a lost ball or a puppy or kitten?
- What would you do if your coach wanted to give you an unexpected present?
- What would you do if a neighbor wanted you to go to his house and have a snack?
- What would you do if your friend wanted you to play with a lighter?
- What would you do if someone wanted you to hold a gun?
- What would you do if someone dared you to jump in the river?
- What would you do if a bigger kid who lives in our neighborhood wanted to play a touching game with you?
- What would you do if someone you know offered you a ride home?
- What would you do if you were in the park and someone you don’t know asked you to help look for a lost ball or a puppy or kitten?
- What would you do if your coach wanted to give you an unexpected present?
- What would you do if a neighbor wanted you to go to his house and have a snack?
- What would you do if your friend wanted you to play with a lighter?
- What would you do if someone wanted you to hold a gun?
- What would you do if someone dared you to jump in the river?
- What would you do if a bigger kid who lives in our neighborhood wanted to play a touching game with you?