Tag Archives: stranger danger

General Safety Issues

BEYOND STRANGER DANGER: SAFETY TIPS FOR ADULTS (GUEST POST)

At an age when many children still believe in monsters under the bed, we begin to teach them about real life monsters, and the concept of stranger danger. Stranger danger is a concept that extends into adulthood, and we can still feel uncomfortable when a car pulls over and asks for directions, no matter how harmless the driver appears to be (is this old lady going to try and kidnap me?). There are many aspects of personal safety that we can also take for granted as we reach our adult years, and there are many circumstances when we need to pay more attention than we probably do. So what are some instances when we’re not so cautious and perhaps need to be?

When You’re on Vacation

If you live in a larger city, or a place that has particularly unique attractions, you’re probably used to seeing tourists walking around, map in hand, with slightly puzzled expressions on their faces. Remember that you might be exactly the same when you travel, and all too often, tourists might as well have “rob me” written on their foreheads. While violent street crimes aren’t so frequent in most popular tourist cities across the US and Europe, you might be subtly targeted by a pickpocket or for a bag snatching, since tourists are more likely to have “goodies”- expensive cameras, a lot of cash, and even your passport, which can be sold. Certainly, enjoy your trip, but be discreet- check your route before you leave, and avoid obviously staring at your map and street signs when you’re out. Research some of the better known scams as well- like in certain European cities, when a person asks you to fill in a “survey,” which is always in English, despite the fact that you’re in Paris or Berlin, and has poorly photocopied logos of well-known organizations such as UNICEF or the Red Cross- while you’re distracted, the survey persons accomplice might be reaching into your bag or pocket.

When You’re Partying

As children become teenagers and start to test their limits, it’s almost inevitable that they will start to consume alcohol sooner than their parents would like, and in greater quantities than are safe. It’s important to make sure that young adults are educated in the dangers of alcohol, and you can do this at home if the information isn’t offered at school. When people are old enough to legally enjoy bars and nightclubs, there are a certain number of safety protocols that need to be followed. Never leave your drink unattended, as it increases the possibility of it being drugged, which is often done in order to rob or assault a person. The “buddy system” is also a great idea, as it lessens the chance of someone drinking too much and becoming disorientated. Be very wary of recreational drugs, and while we have all heard stories of people partaking and not experiencing any ill-effects, remember that illegal drugs are manufactured in home based laboratories with no quality control, usually mixed by hand, meaning that a pill or powder might in fact contain a lethal dose of the active ingredient. 

When You’re Shopping

You might not think that trying to find a bargain can be a dangerous activity, but on occasions, a shopping mall can become a battlefield, as people become violent in their efforts to grab the best possible deal. This can occur when shoppers are seemingly whipped into a frenzy by a particular sale, such as the Black Friday sale (the first Friday after Thanksgiving- the start of the festive shopping season). A female shopper at a Walmart actually pepper sprayed her fellow shoppers, as she tried to keep them away from the electronics devices she was attempting to grab from the shelves. There have even been deaths from stampeding crowds during these sales. If you don’t feel like facing the crowds, but still want a bargain, then shopping online can be a great way to do this, and many retailers offer their Black Friday bargains online, although this is often focussed around Cyber Monday (the Monday after Black Friday), which is strictly for online sales. Remember to be cautious when buying online, and ensure that the site you’re buying from is legitimate.

About the author: Anita, Higher Click’s writer, enjoys occasional guest blogging and maintains her personal blog as well. She loves to write about everyday topics that offer something interesting everyone. She also blogs on behalf of huge brands, like Macy’s.

Seriously, you may want to take along a first-aid kit, especially on trips, and a small one to keep in your car.  It’s better to be prepared, even if it’s a shopping extravaganza.! pb

 

General Safety Issues

Tips for Making Your Child Safe at School (Guest Post)

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No one wants to be a “helicopter parent” who hovers around their child in a constant state of vigilance, just waiting for a tragedy to happen. But being a completely care-free parent is not necessarily a viable option either. These suggestions will help you keep your child safe while allowing them to grow and learn. While they may seem like common sense, these tips are often over-looked by even the most guarded of parents.

To and From School

  • If your child walks to school or the bus stop, walk the route with them before school begins. If they are old enough to walk alone, take time to point out places they should avoid on their route; such as abandoned buildings or full parking lots. Have a conversation with your child about strangers and the risks involved with talking to them. 
  • Meet with your child’s bus driver. Write down their name, license number, and get a copy of their driving record. Speak to the driver about their policies regarding bullying or disruptions on the bus. Give the driver your phone number in case of emergencies. 
  • Do NOT put key chains or any sort of decorative item inscribed with your child’s name on their back pack, or anywhere easily seen by others. Kidnappers have been known to follow children and call them by name because they can see it. If a child thinks they know a person because that person knows them, they are more likely to be abducted as they will not have their guard up. 
At School

  • Teach your child conflict resolution tactics to prepare them for any negative relationships they may encounter at their school. If your child is being bullied, advise them to politely ask their tormentor to cease. If this does not work, they should walk away (or run if in danger of bodily harm) and seek assistance from an adult in authority. Nurture your relationship with your child and keep an eye out for warning signs that your child is being bullied, such as lack of appetite or change in grades. 
  • Before your child begins a school year, discuss with the principal the school’s emergency protocols. Ask what the policy is in the event of any situation you can think of, such as a fire, natural disaster or a school intruder. Get a copy of these procedures and go over them with your child. 
  • Come up with a safe word that only YOU and your child know. Encourage your child to call you (either from the school office or an emergency cell phone) if they are having a problem at school and need to be picked up. They can use the safe word so that you both know that they need to come home. Something unique but not too noticeable is best – like “scotch tape” or “refrigerator”.”
  • Update your contact information with the school. Give your child’s school a list of people that you have approved to pick your child up or remove from school should you not be available. Make it clear to your child that they are under no circumstances to leave the school with someone they don’t know, even if that person tells them that they know their parents. This is a good opportunity for your safe word as well, if you MUST have someone not approved on your list pick your child up, give them the safe word. Tell your child that this person will relay the word to them and then and ONLY then, may they leave with that person. 

Many of these tips may seem pretty obvious but you can never be too safe. Accidents and tragedies happen every day, help keep your family safe and stay informed. 

 
Jenna Sanchez writes about parenting, safety and education. Her recent work lists the Best Education Degrees in the US.
General Safety Issues

TEN REASONS TO NEVER LEAVE A CHILD IN THE CAR FOR EVEN ONE MINUTE! (GUEST POST)

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By Carrie Dotson

Whether you’re running into a convenience store to pay for your gasoline or stepping away for a moment while your child is strapped snugly into her car seat, it’s never safe to leave your child alone in a vehicle. Regardless of the circumstances, your child simply is not safe in the car alone. Here are 10 of the reasons why you should think twice before leaving your little one unattended in a vehicle.

  1. Temperature Concerns – Because kids’ bodies are different from those of their adult counterparts, even relatively mild temperatures can become unbearable for a child in a vehicle. There’s a reason why news outlets flood their followers with advice to never leave a child in the car during the summer months. According to kidsandcars.org, an average of 38 children per year die because of heat-related deaths.
  2. Potential Car Theft – It may not be common for cars to be stolen with children inside them, but that doesn’t mean it never happens. Making sure that you’re never a fluke statistic on a list is often as simple as taking your child with you each and every time you get out of the car. Remember that a car is replaceable, but your little one is not.
  3. Stranger Danger – The likelihood of a child being kidnapped by a stranger is far lower than his chances of being snatched by someone he knows and trusts, but stranger abductions do happen. If a car door is all that’s standing between your child and a potential kidnapper, the odds may not be in your favor.
  4. Legal Issues – In many states, the act of leaving your child in the car is illegal. You may be charged with counts of child neglect or abuse, even if your intentions are good. Rather than taking the risk of criminal charges or even the loss of your children, make the wise choice and take them in with you when you leave the car.
  5. The Danger of a Rolling Car – A child who can climb out of his car seat can also knock the car into gear inadvertently, causing it to roll away. A child that’s not left in the car unattended, however, doesn’t face that risk.
  6. Suffocation Risks – If your car has backseat access to the trunk, inquisitive kids can make their way into the trunk and accidentally become trapped, running the risk of suffocation or severe injury.
  7. Causing Your Child to Feel Fear – Even if he never touches a gear shift and is never confronted by a stranger or left to suffer extreme temperatures, your child may still be frightened and feel abandoned when he’s left in the car alone.
  8. Strangulation Concerns – When a young toddler is learning to escape from his car seat and harness, he may try several methods before he finds the one that works. He may also become entangled in the very harness that’s meant to keep him safe, putting his safety in grave danger.
  9. Your Child Can Wander Away – Older kids may think that they’re looking for you or simply exploring their surroundings, when their undeveloped sense of direction is actually leading them away from you and everything familiar. Making the decision not to leave your little one in the car alone will eliminate his urge to go looking for you, and can keep him from getting lost in the process.
  10. The Inherent Risks That Threaten Unsupervised Children – Every parent knows that kids are intensely creative when it comes to finding new and potentially dangerous activities. Your child can injure himself in ways that neither of you have ever imagined when there’s no one there to watch him, so it’s important that you never leave him in the car without supervision.

Taking your child out of a complicated harness and juggling him while trying to complete a task as quick and simple as paying for fuel or grabbing a single item from the store may seem like a waste of time an energy, but there are simply too many things that can go wrong when a child is left in the car alone. A decision made in the blink of an eye can change your life forever, so be sure that you’re always aware of the risks you face when you leave a little one in a vehicle without supervision and don’t do it.

All too often we hear of incidents such as this, where a child dies from being left unattended in a car, especially during hot weather.  Take the time to unhook the child from the car seat and take him with you, regardless of how quickly you plan to be inside the building.  Please, also, consider not leaving animals in cars when you have errands to do that cause you to leave the vehicle. Pat