Two Boys Found Dead: Accidents and Our Children

Every day we hear about tragic accidents that hurt and kill our nation's children. While accidents do happen, and some are seemingly unavoidable, it's a sad fact that many could have been prevented in the event of better vigilance on the part of the adults who are caring for the children. Today's eye-catching headline on this topic is one where two boys, ages 8 and 11, were found dead in the trunk of their mother's car. Just last week, in my area of the country, a toddler drowned in his family's swimming pool. The list could go on and on. Again, accidents happen, but all too often parents or caregivers are lax, maybe only for a moment but sometimes a moment is all it takes. It's a disturbing trend, the senseless accidents befalling children. Adults have got to realize that the responsibility of caring for children is a 24/7 job, somebody must always, always be on alert.

While I think most people believe toddlers need every-moment supervision, it seems that older children are getting far too much freedom far too soon. Every child should be checking in, touching base with a responsible adult very frequently. The adult in charge should always know what the children are up to and be close enough to guide them where need be and prevent disaster in the event of childish, unwise judgments. A parent or caregiver cannot lose vigilance for one moment while any child is awake--and truthfully, not even while they are asleep! Most homes are equipped for children and safe enough that parents can let their children play and sleep safely--but that does not mean that tabs should not be kept on every child at all times. This does not mean a 10-year old child must be in our sight every single second, but they certainly should not go more than a few minutes without being checked on or checking in with an adult. Ever. Toddlers should never be out of a responsible person's sight, period. They're fearless little explorers with no sense of danger or reason, this is the time to teach them such and you must be on hand and vigilant to keep them safe while teaching them as well. The only way to truly keep our children safe is to be ever-vigilant. Being a parent or caregiver is a fulltime, no rest guaranteed job, no doubt about it.

Vehicles are never, ever a place for children to play. Ever. Keeping vehicles locked and the keys inaccessible to children or hidden away is the only sure-fired way to eliminate that worry completely. This is most especially important in hot temperatures. Just a few moments sealed inside a sizzling hot car is disaster for a person of any age, much less a child.

Accidents happen, the best we can hope for is to learn from them and be ever-vigilant with children, there's no such thing as too vigilant--we can let children play and make decisions on their own, all the while being nearby and alert. No price is too much to pay for the well-being and safety of our children. No price.