Parenting comes with a lot of anxiety, especially knowing how vulnerable kids can be. After watching horrific news broadcasts on kids dying from drugs, shootings in school, and being involved in accidents involving cars or falls, it’s only natural to worry. Even as you gradually give your kids some form of independence, you can worry less by keeping them safe from dangers in the following ways.
- Internet safety
One of the most significant dangers your children are exposed to without your knowledge is online. Hackers, predators, and cyberbullies use kids to access gadgets. Cyberbullying can cause trauma to your child, as much as other offline activities, and some threaten their life as well as their mental health. While allowing your kids to use smartphones, tablets, computers, and laptops to access games and social media sites, teach them about internet safety, such as never opening links from strangers, and monitor the sites they visit.
- Vehicle and traffic safety
Traffic accidents are among the deadliest today. Reckless driving, drunk, and distracted driving are among the significant causes of traffic accidents, especially among teenagers. If your teen is already driving, ensure they observe traffic signs and rules. When traveling with your kids or letting them ride in vehicles to school, ensure they buckle up.
Observe safety precautions such as ensuring kids under 12 years ride in the back while kids under four years have a seat installed for them. Similarly, teach them how to cross streets as drivers may not always pay attention to road signs. Install Traffic Logix speed signs in your neighborhood to protect your kids when they run out of the house or as they ride their bikes and play with friends.
- Home-related safety
Kids are in danger at home, just as much as they are when outside. Some of the common hazards at home include poisoning, falls, bites from pets, and cuts and burns from kitchen appliances. Although you can never fully protect your kids, especially when you’re away, you can improve safety by:
- Be vigilant and careful about open windows, tall furniture, and staircases that can cause deadly falls.
- Childproof your kitchen by keeping away sharp appliances or ensuring they are pointing downwards, close oven doors, and latch your dishwasher.
- Lock away highly toxic cleaning detergents and fluids to prevent poisoning and secure bottle caps that can choke your children.
- Avoid leaving your kids with dogs and teach them to stay away from strays to prevent bites.
- Water safety
During warm weather like summer, kids love to play with water. They can engage in swimming or boating and other activities that can cause drowning. Drowning hazards can occur in shallow water like bathtubs and swimming pools. Similarly, water accidents can happen in rivers or lagoons when kids explore and have fun without supervision. Teach your kids how to swim from an early age and only allow them to swim under management while wearing protective clothing when on boats.
While living in a complex world, your kids require as much protection as they can get, and this comes from your teachings and supervision. Prevent cyberbullying by enhancing smartphone safety and ensure your kids can come to you concerning issues that trouble them.
