Holidays are rolling in quickly. Halloween just passed and the kids are still in their care free mode. It is not their fault. The kids just spent a night full of fun costumes and strange people giving them free candy. But we have an obligation as parents to teach our children the difference between Halloween and every day dangers without terrifying them. We all know with the holidays quickly approaching, there will be a lot of distracted shopping. No matter how close you watch your children, sometimes distractions are there. Whether it is reading a label, running into a friend, or checking your phone. Distractions happen. Sometimes it is not even distractions that get you. No, it is that quick, sneaky child. The one that must see that cool toy but does not want to wait around for Momma or Daddy to bring them. No one is here to judge but we are here to help educate!
Here are some tips for teaching your children about risk and dangers.
- Take pictures of your child before leaving home. If there is ever an emergency, you can show the picture of your child/children to others and ask for help looking for them.
- Try to wear something that your child can identify you easily in a crowd or something they can tell a stranger to help them look for you. A solid color, a hat, bright colored shirt.
- If your child is separated from you, teach them the “Freeze and Scream”. Chances are the child is not far from you and you will be able to reach them quickly in their time of panic.
- Teach them if they are separated and you do not answer their screams, to find an employee or a police officer.
- Teach them if you go to a store and you get separated to go to a cash register and ask for help.
- Teach them to never go outside if they are lost in a store. Assure them you will find them. They do not need to go outside to look for you.
- Teach them your number. And always answer your phone. If they do not know your number, get them a tag that shows your information such as phone number.
- Do not put their name on clothing. Though it is nice for someone to be able to comfort your child, you do not put their name on their clothing because they are still some scary people out there and will use that information for bad.
- Teach them if they are out in public and a stranger comes up to them saying “Momma told you to come with me” for them run away screaming Stranger Danger or Fire.
- Teach them to always ask your permission before going with someone or taking something for someone.
- Show them policeman and fireman from your local departments so they know to go to them for help.
- Teach them never to keep secrets. Let me know that secrets are not always fun and you should know everything to keep them safe.
- Call out rule. If you frequent at a park, you know children will go in tunnels that you can’t see. Teach your child when you yell their name or call out, they should yell back where they are
- Teach your child to look at their surroundings. If they feel uncomfortable, they can always go back to Momma and Daddy.
*These are just a few tips from the Macaroni Kid Parents. We do not intend to scare any parents. We just want to share a safe community with our fellow parents.
