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CHILDREN’S SAFETY This is not an exhaustive guide to things that will make your children safer but it is a useful starting point which can be used by parents who are looking to ensure their children’s safety. Whilst some things may seem commonsense you would be amazed how many parents over look these basic points. My job in the Government is trying to return abducted children to their home country. In a great many cases some of these simple points were simply overlooked. In General Teach your children their full names, address, and home phone number. Make sure they know your name. Make sure your children know how to get in contact with you at work or on your mobile phone. Teach your children how and when to use 999. Make sure your children have a trusted adult to call if they’re scared or have an emergency. Set rules with your children about having visitors over when you’re not home and how to answer the telephone. There is no use in a young child saying that there are no adults in the house On-line Learn about using the Internet. The more you know about how the Web works, the better prepared you are to teach your children about potential risks. Place the family computer in a common area, rather than a child’s bedroom. Also, monitor their time spent online and the websites they visit. Make sure screen names don’t reveal too much about your children. At School Don’t display your children’s names on, backpacks or lunch boxes, or anything clearly visible to a stranger. This could result in someone immediately being on a first name basis with your child. Walk the route to and from school with your children, pointing out landmarks and safe places to go if they’re being followed or need help. If your children take public transport, visit the bus stop with them to make sure they know which bus to take. Out and About Tell your children to come and get you if they come across a dangerous object or situation. Teach your children to ask permission before leaving home. Remind your children not to walk or play alone outside. Teach your children not to approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless they know the owner and are accompanied by a trusted adult. Remind your children that it’s OK to say NO to anything that makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. Don't confuse your children with the concept of "strangers." Children do not have the same understanding of who a stranger is as an adult might. The "stranger-danger" message is not effective, as danger to children is greater from someone you or they know than from a "stranger." There may also come a time when your child may need help from someone he or she doesn't know when you aren't around who would be a stranger. Obviously the age of a child has to be taken into consideration. During family outings, establish a central, easy-to-locate spot to meet for check-ins or should you get separated. Teach your children to check in with you if there is a change of plans. Teach your children how to locate help in public places should you become separated. Also, identify those people who are safe to ask for help, such as police, security guards and shop workers with name badges. Practice safety skills so that they become second nature to your children. While you don’t want to scare your children, it is important to make sure they are aware of potential dangers, so that they can be prepared to avoid them, or confidently deal with them as they happen. All articles are copyrighted & remain the property of Marcus Houston & may not be reproduced in part or whole by any manner, & cannot be used in any way without the express permission of Marcus Houston. These are the views of the writer and are not the views of the IKMF or any other Association that Marcus Houston has links with.