7 Street Safety Tips for Parents
Being a parent is a fulfilling and important job. However, it’s not always easy, and it can be nerve-wracking to say the least. As your kids are growing up and going outdoors, they need to know how to safely navigate streets. Here are some tips for helping your youngsters become street smart.
1. Remember that kids will copy what they see
Children are incredibly impressionable – and will imitate the behaviour of those they look up to. They’ll copy you if you’re demonstrating good habits, but they’ll also mirror you if you’re being unsafe. Never practise risky behaviour in front of your kids, like running across roads or walking on the road instead of the pavement.
2. Teach them to cross safely
As adults, crossing roads carefully is second nature. But kids need to be taught this skill. Looking both ways and assessing the speed and distance away of any oncoming traffic are key. Whenever you cross a road with your children, verbalise this process. Make sure that you teach them to cross in places with high visibility, too.
3. Tell them where they’re from
No matter how careful you are, it’s possible for children to get lost. Make sure that your child knows their address as early as possible. Even better, teach them your phone number, so that if they ever do get lost, they can ask for help.
4. Stranger danger
It’s common for children to believe the best in people, as they don’t understand how dangerous the world can be. Children should know not to speak to strangers, not to follow them, and to tell you or another trusted adult if they are approached by a stranger.
5. Hold hands with young children
Accidents can happen in a split second. It’s important to keep children close to you around roads and hold hands with anyone liable to run off. You can also get reins for toddlers, keeping especially wriggly tots close. Until children are old enough to understand road safety for themselves, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
6. Eyes and ears
Owning their first smartphone can be exciting for kids, but it can absorb their attention. Kids should know to keep their phone away and not wear headphones near roads. Teach them that their senses are their most important tool for public safety, and distractions can be the difference between safety and danger.
7. Report crime
The streets are safer when crime is dealt with. Report any crime that you see to ensure that our streets remain safe for children. Whether it’s vandalism, theft or violence, it’s important that crime is reported. Make sure that your kids know what to do if they ever witness a crime, too.
Need to make an anonymous report?
Crime Stoppers Bermuda offers an anonymous way to report crime. Report a crime to our team, and we’ll let the police know without any identifiable information. Use our online form or call 800-8477 to report crime anonymously.
