Your Child
Vs.
The World

By 8List

While we all know that bumps, bruises and scraped knees are all par for the course when it comes to being a kid, but there are bigger and far more serious dangers out there than happenstance.

To celebrate Child Safety Week, an event run by by Child Accident Prevention Trust to raise awareness of the risks of child accidents and how they can be prevented, here are some steps that you can take to ensure your child’s safety—as well as your own peace of mind.

Sadly, we can’t all be this guy:

8. Use Their Voice

Filipinos are, by nature, very accommodating and it’s a trait that we pass on to our kids. This being the case, teach your child to say “no” if they aren’t comfortable with someone—even if they feel they might offend the other person. If they are ever accosted, teach them that it’s alright to kick, scream and struggle to get away and most importantly to yell for help and notify people around them that the person grabbing them isn’t their mother/father/guardian. As much as possible, let them know that should a situation like that ever arise, it is never their fault and that they need to tell you immediately after.

7. Family Planning

No, not that kind of family planning. Devote an evening or two to creating a family plan in case of an emergency. Decide where to meet if you’re separated or coming from different places, and make sure that every child has their phone number as well as yours memorized—keep a list of these somewhere where it is easily seen. Name a Plan B; that is, who they should contact if they can’t reach you, like their grandparents or godparents.

6. Stay Vigilant

There’s a very distinct difference between hearing your kids and actually listening to them. Notice when your kids suddenly bring home new things, especially if they’re gifts from a new “friend” paying them attention. Make sure to talk to them about this person and determine why they’re acting that way towards your child. It’s better to be paranoid and safe than not and sorry.

5. Gadget Consciousness

As tempting as it may be to curb a tantrum or have a little peace and quiet in the house, don’t give in and allow your kids to use their electronics while they’re being charged, and definitely draw the line at allowing them to keep said gadgets in their bedroom overnight.

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