Concord Carpenter

Child Safety and Risk Reduction

By Robert Robillard on Home And Personal Safety

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Tips on child safety and risk reduction

There are no guarantees, by heightening your child’s sense of awareness and teaching sound defensive-strategies, the odds of becoming a victim can be reduced.

Risk Reduction

Risk reduction is the number one self-defense technique for not becoming a victim.  Consider discussing the following child safety and risk reduction ideas with your children. In addition to discussing these Safety-Tips, you should try some simple role-playing scenarios with your child.

• Your full name.
• Your parents full names (especially if their last names are different).
• Your address.
• Phone number.
• Your birth date.
• Safe houses/Places to go to.
• Safe people (police and firemen, uniformed employees)
• Emergency phone numbers.

Discuss “STRANGER DANGER”

Bad people do not look a certain way and certainly don’t look like they do in the movies.   Go over the following child safety and risk reduction  pointers and use them as teaching points.

• Anyone can be a “Bad Person”.
• People you know can be “Bad People”.
• Listen to the “Little Voice” inside of you.
• Never go with a stranger.
• Never get near or into a stranger’s car.
• Never accept anything from a stranger (especially money, toys or candy).
• Don’t help people you don’t know (“lost puppy”).
• Don’t pose for a stranger who wants to take your picture.
• Don’t believe a stranger when they tell you that someone is hurt or go with a stranger (unless they use the correct SECURITY WORD).

AT HOME/PLAY-TIME

• Never play with fire or sharp objects.
• Always wear a helmet when bike riding or skateboarding.
• Never play by tying-up a playmate or being tied-up yourself.
• Never play with guns (leave if anyone wants to show you a gun).
• Play in safe areas – not near the street, under dark areas, behind cars, in driveways, in secluded
  areas, or in abandoned cars or buildings.
• Never play in a strangers house.
• Always let a parent know where you are and what the phone number there is.
• Lock doors and windows (at night or when home alone).
• Do not open the door to people you do not know – Use peep-holes or side windows (call the police if you don’t know the person at the door).
• Close shades and/or curtains.
• Keep lights at the doors on at night. If a light is out and someone knocks, be aware.
• Know a few phone numbers of neighbors.
• Have a written list of Emergency Numbers (Police, Fire, and Ambulance is 911, Doctors, Poison Control, Neighbors).
• If you have an alarm system learn how to use it.
• Ask “who’s calling” when you answer the phone – continue to ask or call a grown-up (or hang up).
• Never tell anyone you are home alone.

WHILE TRAVELING

• Always wear your seat belt.
• Keep your door locked while in the car.
• Never “play” with any control of a car.
• Look around before getting out of the car (for traffic dangers or suspicious looking people who
  might be next to the car).
• Never take short-cuts.
• Let people/parents know where you’re going and what route your taking.
• Stop, look, and listen before crossing any street.
• Try to walk in groups (the “Buddy System”).
• Know where the “Safe Houses/Places” are on your route (Police or Fire Station, Friends of Family, Store).
• Plan pick-up and Drop-Off places ahead of time (and repeat the information to be sure there is no mis-understandings).
• Don’t wear clothes or carry items that have your name on the outside.

WHAT TO DO

• If someone is following you don’t try to hide. Go to a safe place. If you have no other choice don’t be afraid to scream “HELP!”and continue to move away.
• If someone asks you for directions or help tell them “NO” while you are moving (running) away from them.
• Tell a parent if someone tells you to keep a secret from them.
• Tell a parent if someone threatens you or them.
• If you get lost or separated from your group in a store never go to the parking lot. Go to the cashier and tell them your lost.

FOR PARENTS

• Know your child’s friends.
• Never leave a child unattended.
• Spend some time at the activities your child is involved with – watch for proper supervision.
• Listen when your child says they don’t like someone (what’s the reason?).
• Notice anyone who is unusually attracted to your child.
• Note and write down any scars or birthmarks that your child might have.
• Have your child fingerprinted.
• Be aware of any radical changes in your child’s behavior/attitude.
• Talk to your child every day. Ask what happened (both good and not so good) during the day.
• Take frequent photographs of your child (4 times a year under the age of 2 years).
• Set up plans in case your child gets lost, is separated in a mall, finds no one home, and for the
  other circumstances previously mention in the handout. If separated in a store notify an employee IMMEDIATELY. They probably have a store-plan.
• Be sure of your child’s day care/school policy for releasing students under unusual circumstances.
• Talk to other parents about this information.

Balance these child safety and risk reduction  “Safety Tips” without creating “Unrealistic Monster Fears” for your child.