Before you know it, the kids will be out of school and looking for things to do. You'll be wanting to keep them safe from the hazards that free time and heat can bring!Here are some tips for keeping your children safe during summertime and Spring Break!
My Kids Ride Safe
- Infants ride in rear-facing car seats as long as possible, but until at least one year of age and 20 pounds.
- Children at least one year old and between 20-40 pounds are secured in a forward-facing car seat.
- Children over 40 pounds ride in a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt.
- Children who weigh 80 pounds and 4 feet 9 inches tall may use an adult lap and shoulder belt.
- Before getting in my vehicle and starting the motor, I always walk all the way around it to check for children.
- I never leave my child alone in a car
- I maintain visual contact with my kids when they are playing in or near the water.
- Install fencing around all sides of a home pool or spa. The fencing should be five feet high and have self-closing, self-latching gates.
- My children wear life jackets when on a boat, near open bodies of water or when playing water sports, and I make sure the life jackets fit properly.
- After their fourth birthday, my kids take swim lessons
- I always supervise my children on playground equipment.
- Safe playgrounds have 12 inches of shredded rubber, hardwood fiber mulch or sand beneath the equipment.
- I don’t dress children in loose clothing, clothes with drawstrings or necklaces when they play on the playground.
- When practicing or playing team sports, my children wear the right protective gear.
- I make sure my child wears a helmet and other protective gear when riding bikes, skates or scooters.
- The helmet fits snugly and does not rock back and forth. It should be centered on the head, strapped and buckled.The bike fits my child and is in good working order.
- I teach my child the rules of the road and to obey traffic rules.
- Children under 10 should only wheel on sidewalks, paths or other designated areas.
My Kids Walk Safe
- My children under 10 cross the street with an adult.
- Teach children to cross streets at the corner, to use crosswalks and obey traffic signals.
- Instruct children to look left, right and left again before crossing the street and to keep looking as they cross.
- Remind children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
- I dress my kids in clothing with reflective materials and give them a flashlight when it’s dark.
1 comment:
Keeping kids safe is something that I am personally passionate about and committed to. I caught your post title because it was so similar to a podcast episode I did with a police officer about the same topic. If you want to catch the show, you can go to http://www.liveonpurposeradio.com/radio/2007/10/04/kids-risky-business/ to link directly to the interview. Let me know what you think!
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