About Families Online

Feature Articles for August, 2003

Many of us, as we raise our children, find ourselves repeating many of the old adages that our parents said to us as we were growing up. “Look both ways before you cross the street” is one of the stock phrases in every parent’s vocabulary. Other well-worn pieces of advice are conveyed in different ways but contain the same message no matter where you live.

We’d like to review some of these, as well as adding a few that are appropriate for children today. We suggest parents reinforce these messages by repeating them often, and also offer an explanation your child can understand. When the consequences are discussed, children are better able to appreciate why these are rules to live by. Be sure to point out examples of safe behavior by others and commend your child for practicing these safety rules.

Obviously these warnings are not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Regular communication with a trusted pediatrician is one of the most important ways to safeguard your children’s health. Use the suggested rules below to jumpstart a conversation with your children on keeping safe. You should discuss them with your doctor, pediatrician or medical advisor as well.

Simple Safety Rules

• If you burn yourself, immediately put the burn under cool water. Keep it there as long as it feels comfortable.

• If you or your clothing catch fire:
*STOP where you are, immediately
*DROP to the ground and
*ROLL over and over until the fire is out.
Parents: Practice this stop, drop, and roll technique with your child.

• If you find matches or a lighter tell Mom, Dad or another adult.

• If you see a fire starting, don’t hide but call for help immediately.

• If you start to bleed or are stung by a bee or other insect, stop playing and get first aid from Mom, Dad or another adult you trust.

• Never eat or drink anything or take any kind of medicine without your parents’ or a trusted adult’s permission.

• If you ever drink anything that burns your mouth or that you know you should not have swallowed, immediately tell your Mom, Dad or another adult.

• Do not play with electrical outlets, microwave ovens, power tools or other machinery and equipment around the house your mom or dad have deemed “off limits.”

• Always buckle your seat belt and lock your car door.

• Look left, right, and then left again, before crossing the street.

• Never tell anyone over the phone that you are home alone, and never open the door to strangers when you are home alone.

• Never talk to strangers, and beware of anyone trying to give you candy, gifts, or money, or asking you to help them find a lost dog or cat.

• Always tell your Mom or Dad where you’ll be playing, and never play in parking lots, empty buildings, or alleys.

• Adults do not usually ask children for directions or help. If someone asks you for directions, do not go near the car. Always know a neighbor you can go to on your way to and from school, the playground, or the park.

• If someone is following you on foot or in a car, go to a place where there are other people–to a neighbor’s home or into a store and ask for help. Do not go near the car to talk to anyone inside and do not try to hide behind bushes.

• Do NOT get in a car or go anywhere with any person unless your parents have told you that it is okay. Your child should learn in whose car he is allowed to ride. Warn your child that someone might try to lure him into a car by claiming you said to pick him up; tell him never to obey such instructions. Instead, he should go back to the school for help.

• If someone tries to take you somewhere without your parents’ permission, quickly get away from him or her and scream, “This person is not my parent!”

• If you get separated from your parents in a public place, go to a checkout counter, security office or lost and found area. Tell the person in charge that you need help finding your parents.

• If someone wants to take your picture, say NO and tell your parents, day care provider or teacher.

• If someone touches you and you don’t feel comfortable about it, tell your mom, dad or an adult friend; keep telling people until you are sure someone believes you.

• Tell your Mom or Dad if an adult asks you to “Keep a secret.”

• Never give out identifying information or personal information in a public message such as a “chat” or bulletin board. Be sure you’re dealing with someone both you and your child know and trust before disclosing identifying information in an email. Never put your picture on the internet without your parent’s permission.

• Never make arrangements for a face-to-face meeting with someone you have met on the internet without your parent’s permission.

The above information was adapted from the SafeChild.net web site. SafeChild.net is a project of the Consumer Federation of America Foundation (CFAF). CFA Foundation was founded in 1972 as a private, nonprofit, 501(c)(3), research and education organization that compliments the work of the Consumer Federation of America (CFA). The mission of CFAF is to provide information to the public on consumer issues, assist state and local organizations, and conduct research projects. Child safety and health is an important part of this mission, and CFAF and CFA both have a long history of educating the public on child safety and public health issues.