(ThyBlackMan.com) Parents would love to keep their children safe at all times, and to ensure that they’re always protected.
Sadly, parents cannot possibly control every aspect of a child’s life. The best thing they can do is teach their children these important safety lessons, particularly in a situation where the parents can’t be there with them.
Lesson 1: Start early
Start teaching your child about safety when they are very young. Teach them to stay away from hot items, to not pull cords, to stay away from potentially-dangerous chemicals, and even explain to them why you’re buckling them up
inside their car seat.
Lesson 2: Teach them public safety
When they are young, teach your child to never leave your sight or the sight of someone you’ve given permission for them to be with. Tell them to get help from an authority for help if they become separated from you, and to never the vicinity of the area where they last saw you, unless in an emergency situation. As early as possible, teach them to never get into a car or agree to walk or talk with anyone you haven’t told them they can travel or communicate with. Teach them that if they feel uncomfortable or in danger, to refuse to engage with the aggressor and to walk or run away from the situation as quickly as possible, notifying the authorities, if possible.
Lesson 3: Teach them hygiene safety
Hand washing is a safety precaution – it’s one of the best was to control the spread of disease. Teach your child how to wash their hands. Make certain they wash for at least 20-30 seconds using liquid soap. Because children have a hard time judging when 20-30 seconds pass, teach them to either sing their ABC’s when washing, or the Happy Birthday song — twice. Teach them to use hand sanitizer, particularly when soap and water aren’t available.
Lesson 4: Teach them about health safety
Teach them to recognize places where they might trip and fall. Also, teach them to wear protective equipment every time they go out to play, particularly when they ride their bike, as well as how to use proper hand signals when bike riding.
Lesson 5: Teach them how to get help
Have a central place in the house where emergency numbers are posted. Teach your child how to use these numbers to contact emergency personnel and family members.
Lesson 6: Teach them how to respond in case of a fire emergency
Have a fire exit plan in your home and practice safely escaping the house on your hands and knees to avoid smoke exposure. Teach them how to first touch a door to see if it’s hot before trying to open it and escape through it. Teach your child to stop, drop and roll if their clothes catch on fire.
Written By Whitney Greer
