Keeping children safe is one of the most important jobs a parent, a guardian, or a teacher can do. There are more external threats to children that they need to be warned against. The community can also contribute to the safekeeping of a child if they seem lost.
The best way to ensure that the kids are safe is always to know where they are. However, as kids grow, they may become a handful. You can apply the following tips to help them stay safe.
Teach Them Not To Speak To Strangers
Teaching children the dangers of following or talking to strangers may be emphasized from a tender age. As the child grows, they stress the risks. You can also show them case scenarios in real life of someone you heard of or a victim you know. You can also tell your child never to go near strangers’ cars due to potential kidnappers and possible accidents.
Have A Transportation Plan From And To School
It’s vital to have a transport plan where your child is dropped off at school and picked up from the driveway. You can choose to use the school bus or opt for a service like Zum student transportation. With planned child transportation, you are always sure that the children are safe, even after coming late from work.
The arrangement does not deny you a chance to pick up or drive your child to school when you are free. The only thing you must do is notify the school that you are picking up the child.
Make Sure They Know Your Contact By Heart
You can make the child memorize your home contacts during your free time. Your child must know your number because they can use it to call you from a hotel or safe social joint if they get separated or lost. If your child has a phone, tell them to call you whenever they get lost.
Teach Them What To Do When They Get Lost
When children get lost in the market or public places, they panic and look for their parents. The problem with them walking around is that they may go to places you may not think of looking at.
After you realize that you can’t find your child, the first thing you do is to go back to every place you visit. When they start moving around, it becomes difficult to locate them. Advise them to stay where they are so that you can quickly find them.
Make Sure Your Child Know Important Names
At first, the child must learn the name of their home area. The home area can give the police or a person clues to where to locate your home. Also, let your child know your names and all people living in the house. Let them have an idea of your profession or where you work.
Importantly, let them know the name of their school. It’s easier to take a lost child back to school where the teachers can call you.
Talk About Getting Lost
Sit down with your child and discuss the possibility of getting lost and the measures they should take. When at it, ensure to mention safe places, such that they should look at the surroundings and ensure they stand in a safe space.
For instance, they should stay away from the road passing by cars. Let them know that they should call your name out loud because maybe you are just around and can’t see them. You can also advise the child to look for a mother walking with a child for help.
Sometimes children get lost, and you can’t concentrate on anything else for a minute. It is, therefore, crucial to keep your child safe. Ensure you have a working transportation plan for your child to and from school. Teach the child what to do when they get separated or lost. Also, your child should know the home contact, your contact, your name, and their name.