In Greenville, SC and throughout the country, children are heading back to school, and that's a great opportunity to turn our attention to back-to-school safety and security considerations.
Buddy System
The best way to keep children safe is to have them perform these activities in pairs or even larger groups of likeminded kids. Ideally, the buddy will be a family member, neighbor or friend. If possible, establish the agreement that the buddies will do everything together on the way home as well. Don't be afraid to perform these activities alongside the pair to and from school until you're confident they're able to handle it on their own.
Walking to School or the Bus Stop
For grade school children, it's important to sit down and talk about the protocols for walking to the bus stop or school. Cover all the basics, including not talking to and accepting rides from strangers. The National Safety Council and local home security companies also stress establishing rules. If no sidewalk is present, always face the traffic and walk on the left side of the road. Never use a phone, handheld game, ear buds or headphones while walking near traffic.
With older children in particular, it's crucial and difficult to impart on them the importance of bus stop behavior. Bus stop accidents kill thousands of children every year, and many of those deaths could have been avoided if the child was paying attention to his or her surroundings.
Bicycling
If the child uses a bicycle instead, a helmet in a good condition is paramount. Local home security companies also advise having a bike chain that will allow the bicycles and all accessories to be secured. If the child is 12 or older and rides a scooter or similar vehicle, it's also necessary to have heavy footwear, gloves, kneepads and pads for the elbows. Keep in mind that helmets can actually become hazards on playgrounds and in similar environments. Make sure the child understands the importance of stopping and removing the helmet when transitioning into one of these areas.
Backpack Safety
Backpack safety is a growing concern, and it's recommended that you choose a backpack that has padded shoulder straps. It's also important that when loaded the backpack not weigh more than 10 percent of the child's total weight. Use a zippered compartment for emergency numbers and similar information. You may be surprised to know how many children don't know their own home phone numbers, and a cheat sheet can be invaluable.
Home Alone
It's very important that you're child be familiar with the security system in the home and all emergency protocols. This is particularly true if the child will be home alone for any period. Educators of fire safety in Greenville SC recommend that you go over the evacuation plan each quarter. Parents might also want to consider Internet-enabled surveillance, which most home security companies can install and link to your smartphone.
Reward Programs and Consequences
Establishing good habits among children will require some work. Those who educate about fire safety in Greenville SC recommend using a reward system. Children respond very well to positive reinforcement. There should still be consequences when the child ignores the rules, but the emphasis should always be on the positive aspects and how these allow us to be safer and have more fun.
Buddy System
The best way to keep children safe is to have them perform these activities in pairs or even larger groups of likeminded kids. Ideally, the buddy will be a family member, neighbor or friend. If possible, establish the agreement that the buddies will do everything together on the way home as well. Don't be afraid to perform these activities alongside the pair to and from school until you're confident they're able to handle it on their own.
Walking to School or the Bus Stop
For grade school children, it's important to sit down and talk about the protocols for walking to the bus stop or school. Cover all the basics, including not talking to and accepting rides from strangers. The National Safety Council and local home security companies also stress establishing rules. If no sidewalk is present, always face the traffic and walk on the left side of the road. Never use a phone, handheld game, ear buds or headphones while walking near traffic.
With older children in particular, it's crucial and difficult to impart on them the importance of bus stop behavior. Bus stop accidents kill thousands of children every year, and many of those deaths could have been avoided if the child was paying attention to his or her surroundings.
Bicycling
If the child uses a bicycle instead, a helmet in a good condition is paramount. Local home security companies also advise having a bike chain that will allow the bicycles and all accessories to be secured. If the child is 12 or older and rides a scooter or similar vehicle, it's also necessary to have heavy footwear, gloves, kneepads and pads for the elbows. Keep in mind that helmets can actually become hazards on playgrounds and in similar environments. Make sure the child understands the importance of stopping and removing the helmet when transitioning into one of these areas.
Backpack Safety
Backpack safety is a growing concern, and it's recommended that you choose a backpack that has padded shoulder straps. It's also important that when loaded the backpack not weigh more than 10 percent of the child's total weight. Use a zippered compartment for emergency numbers and similar information. You may be surprised to know how many children don't know their own home phone numbers, and a cheat sheet can be invaluable.
Home Alone
It's very important that you're child be familiar with the security system in the home and all emergency protocols. This is particularly true if the child will be home alone for any period. Educators of fire safety in Greenville SC recommend that you go over the evacuation plan each quarter. Parents might also want to consider Internet-enabled surveillance, which most home security companies can install and link to your smartphone.
Reward Programs and Consequences
Establishing good habits among children will require some work. Those who educate about fire safety in Greenville SC recommend using a reward system. Children respond very well to positive reinforcement. There should still be consequences when the child ignores the rules, but the emphasis should always be on the positive aspects and how these allow us to be safer and have more fun.
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