Kids aren’t born with innate knowledge about what’s hazardous to them in the environment, particularly in the modern age. Children don’t understand that plug sockets contain invisible electricity or that they shouldn’t eat paint.
For parents, trying to foresee what kids will understand and what they won’t about their environment is a challenge. Therefore, in this post, we run through some of the most essential safety lessons you need to teach your kids.
Lesson 1: Fire Safety
Kids are naturally wary of fire, but they might not understand how to react to it, or what to do when confronted with a blaze.
If a child spots a fire, they need to be able to activate a fire alarm or alert the nearest adult. They should also understand that they need to exit the building quickly while remaining low so that they don’t inhale any toxic fumes.
Telling them the number that they need to dial in the event of a fire can be helpful, as can talking to them about the dangers of playing with lighters.
Lesson 2: Rail Safety
Railroad crossing safety is actually quite different from road safety. That’s because trains can’t just slam on the brakes if they detect a hazard. All they can do is toot their horns and hope that whoever is close by stays out of their way.
Rail safety involves teaching children about the various types of rail crossings and how they work. Kids need to understand that they cannot play on railways, and that doing so is extremely dangerous.
Lesson 3: Stranger Safety
Children are often naturally gregarious creatures and happy to interact with anyone in their environment. When they are young, they still have a natural trusting instinct – our true human nature.
Unfortunately, modern society doesn’t allow that to flourish. It’s not safe for children. Therefore, they need to learn stranger safety. Kids shouldn’t talk to strangers who approach them, or accept their offers of candies. They shouldn’t answer the front door if they don’t know who it is, or get into a car with people that they don’t know. If they are unsure, they should go and speak to a trusted adult, like a teacher or parent.
Lesson 4: Water Safety
Water is a major hazard for children. Many cannot swim and younger children often can’t comprehend the dangers it poses.
Therefore, parents need to talk to their children about why being safe around the water is so important. They should instruct them never to go near water without an adult nearby, just in case they fall in. They should also talk about the importance of not climbing fences around pools and rivers to prevent drowning.
Lesson 5: Car Safety
Lastly, parents should talk to their children about traveling safely in the car. The driveway should be treated just like a road, not a playground. Kids shouldn’t play or fight in the car that could distract the driver. And they should always wear their seatbelts to remain within the law.