June is National Safety Month

For some of us, June is that time of year when schools have summer breaks, we take summer vacations and the news is filled with lost children, children that drowned in swimming pools, babies are left in hot cars, and so on. We read or watch this and sometimes get upset and/or sad that someone let this happen to his or her child. Some of us might share this news with their children in hopes that they might learn from it and be more careful. That's a good idea, but let's talk about prevention and awareness.

I'm sure most of you have told your children not to play with matches or lighters, a gun is not a toy, do not run in the pool area, etc. But how many of you have told your children why they should not do this? I could make a "Do" and "Don't" list, but again I would bet if you look on the Internet you could find loads of them. So why am I writing this? Because most people trying to prevent their children from getting hurt do not understand that making the child aware is a great tool to help keep your child safe. This can be fun for both you and your loved ones!

Here are a few ways to help your child become aware so if the time does comes, they will know what to say or do. Remember if you just talk to your children, you are lucky if they might remember half of it. But if you interact with them, they will remember more.

The License plate game

Most children love games. Games are a good way of teaching them. Once your boy or girl learns the ABC's, numbers and colors, this game is great to help them help you to identify your car if they get lost or identify a car that might have been at the place of interest.

Start the game by taking you child to your car and have them look at a license plate then make a phrase using the numbers that are on the plate. If on the plate is 5CW2M, your child might make the phrase "5 cats with 2 mice". See how it works? Then have the child tell you the color of the car. Next time you and your child are in a parking lot filled with cars, play this game. Children who know this game often have helped police in finding people.

Yell "Fire" not "Help"

When my daughter was little, I taught her about how people will come out to see what is happening if you yell fire but will go the other way if you yell help. Then she asked me why, I explained that in most cases people are scared that if they help you, they might get hurt, but most people will come out to see a fire and where it is coming from.

A Whistle around the Neck

This is good for everyone! Say you are lost or trapped somewhere. Yelling help can only be heard so far and it is hard to keep yelling for a long time. A Whistle can be heard distant and is great if who is looking for you has a dog with them.

Cell Phones for Children And Tracking

Most of you mostly have already given your child a cell phone. This is a great way of not only keeping in touch with your children but tracking them too! Your Child will love it and you will feel better knowing the where about of your child.

Stay connected: Best cell phones for children
For some parents, giving a child a phone provides peace of mind
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16044093/#storyContinued

Tracking your child's safety
Devices that can help you keep an eye on your child at all times
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3741901/#storyContinued

You might also want to think about a GPS.

My all time favorite video to teach children about safety is:
Every Dog's Guide to Complete Home Safety (1986)
You can find it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL6CtSQe76E

When my daughter was little she loved Safety Dog. Bet your children will love him too.

DZBO
May 7th 2009