Summer break is over and school is now in session. As a parent, you want to do everything in your power to keep your kids safe. However, when they are in school for a better part of the day, being there to guide them through everything is a bit challenging to say the least. Instead of stressing all day wondering if your children are okay, there are some simple things you can do and teach your children to keep them safe all school year long.
These safety tips work, and will go a long way to keep your kids safe and well!
7 tips to keep your kids safe this school year
Talk About Stranger Danger
It is important to explain to your children that they mustn’t talk to people they don’t know, who might be lingering around the school. In fact, take safety to the next level by giving your children a safe word that any adult must use if they’re going to pick them up from school. Sometimes, children may believe it’s okay to leave with a parent of a friend, but this can be dangerous. A safe word at the very least would ensure that your children are being cautious about who brings them home each day.
Teach them contact information
Even if your child has a cell phone it is still important that they are able to memorize their home phone number (or your cell number) and their address as this information may be necessary.
School bus Safety
If your children are riding the school bus this year it is important to make sure that they do so safely. Teach them about the importance of buckling up for safety and not playing around while the bus is in motion. Also make sure they are aware of the bus they’re supposed to get on – the last thing you need is for them ending up being dropped off at the wrong location.
Walking to and from School
If your children walk to and from school, it is important that they know which way to get home along with an alternate route. Teach them how to cross the street safely, by waiting for the light and looking both ways. Also, teach them the importance of stopping if they should see an ambulance, police car, or fire truck passing by to avoid accidents. It may also be a good idea to have them text you once they get to school and home so you know they’re safe.
Talk to them about bullying
Bullying is a common problem in school and though you can’t protect your child from every school yard bully that might come along, you can coach them on the basics. Explain to them the importance of not becoming a bully themselves and how to speak up if they believe someone is bullying them.
Get a Physical
Keeping your children healthy is also vital to their safety. If you haven’t done so already, consider scheduling an appointment with their pediatrician for a physical. If you don’t have health insurance, there is also the option to check into pharmacies that may also provide free or affordable physicals for children going back to school.
Consider upgrading the alarm system
If your children are old enough to be in the house on their own for a few hours after school, you want to make sure that they’re safe. There are home security systems available that give you remote access to certain aspects of your home. Camera systems would allow you to see who is entering the house so you’d know in real time that your children got home safe. The site http://home-security.co/adt-home-security/ gives more information on the various features offered for improved safety in the home.
Finding ways to keep your kids safe is certainly a full time job. However, if you plan and educate your children accordingly, you can ease a lot of fears and anxieties that you might have about the upcoming school year.
8 comments
Some very important tips Vidya considering schools are no longer safe havens for children, atleast not all schools…Something every parent should read and keep in mind..
Nabanita recently posted…99 Things I love
Especially with so many horrifying incidents in schools recently – one can never be too careful. And it is not just inside the schools – the environment isn’t always safe either! Thank you for your comment Naba! ♥
Vidya Sury recently posted…Brewed Awakening #InternationalCoffeeDay
Hi Vidya,
Nice Post! Kids safety is something no parents can ignore. Ask any parent around and you’ll realize you’re not the only paranoid parent there. The need for a secure school environment cannot be understated. For all intents and purposes, a school serves as a child’s second home, so making sure that one is safe in them is very important.
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We have alarms and cameras at our home which is really assuring. My son is just 6 year old and bullying is something I need to discuss more with him. I often talk about stranger danger and he is well aware that he should not talk to strangers or go near them. He should shout it loud when some stranger tries to do anything wrong with him. I walk him to school and home and he doesn’t go out alone yet but these are the points that apply to all kids even teens.
Great post, Vidya. I had forgotten all about teaching kids the phone number of a parent. My parents taught us that growing up, but I haven’t done that with our four year old yet. I will add that to our to-do list.
That was informative, thanks for posting I really enjoyed reading it. I’ll have to look into it further now that my interest has been peaked. Nice piece of work, keep it up, I’ll check back and look forward to reading more about the topic. it’s always good to have more information about keeping our kids safe. Great tip on the phone number.
Great tips Vidya. Loved the idea of safe word and yes, remembering home number and emergency number. On one hand I want my baby to be more independent but on the other hand, the world is increasingly becoming dangerous. The incidents in newspaper makes you wonder if it is safe to let your child go alone but without it they might never learn important life skills.
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Glad you mentioned bullying! I think it’s important to explain to kids the importance of not becoming a bully themselves and how to speak up if they believe someone is bullying them.