With school out, I’d like to share some quick reminders with you about making sure your children stay safe around your home this summer.
If you’re like many parents, you’ve found ways to keep your kids busy during summer break. But there will likely be some days when you’ll leave them alone at home while you work.
Start with creating a plan to keep them connected on some level. Having a communication and safety plan your child knows well is crucial to making sure you know they’re safe during the break.
Having them memorize or carry emergency contact information with them is one easy way for a child to reach you or another responsible adult if there is an issue, especially if they aren’t old enough to carry a cellphone.
If your child is responsible enough to carry a phone, go over hypothetical situations. Practicing how to react in certain instances from a fire to a suspicious person can help them to remain calm and remember how to react.
When going for a bike ride or walk, ask what the route is and how long they will be gone. Though children might not see the immediate value in taking these steps, explain it’s for their own safety.
Explaining why it’s crucial to follow the rules and communicate their plans should help them to understand law enforcement might be called in to help if they don’t make anyone aware of their plans.
Our deputies never want to get the alarming call that a child might be missing, and no child wants to be the subject of a search because they didn’t talk to mom, dad or a sibling before leaving home.