Staying Safe on Your Summer Vacation

By Tommy Lee, owner

East Coast Martial Arts

. https://www.eastcoastmartialarts.com/

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Staying Safe on Your Summer Vacation

Summer time is finally here, and that means kids are out of school and will have more free time on their hands. There will be more predators on the streets looking for the unassuming child.We have a responsibility to educate our kids about home safety as well as neighborhood safety. We hopefully have a sense of community awareness and safety as well so we can keep our child safe, but also keep a look out for other children in our community.
It is always important to know where your children are and that they ask permission before leaving the house as well as check in periodically during the day. Make sure that they leave a phone number of where they are going to be, and make sure they know how important it is for you to know where they are.
Get to know your childs friends. Before letting your child go to a friends house, meet the parents or talk to them on the phone. Have a list of their friends names and phone numbers. Call to make sure that they will be supervised if they are going over to a friends house.Take interest and ask your child what types of activities they do over at this friends house. Explain to your child the importance of the buddy system and that they should never go anywhere alone. Your child will have more fun having a friend with them throughout their summer activities such as going to the pool, the mall or the video arcade.
Make sure that your children know important phone numbers.Help your child memorize their home phone number and address, your work number and cell phone numbers. If it is difficult for them to memorize the numbers, write them down and have them carry the numbers with them at all times. Tell your child where you will be and what the best number is to reach you on.
Set boundaries for your child. Is your child allowed to cross busy streets? Play in alleys? Are there certain houses in your neighborhood that you dont want your child visiting? Is your house near a river, creek or pond that could be dangerous? Make sure your child knows where they are allowed to go and what they are allowed to do.
Work with your neighbors. Get to know your neighbors and their kids so that you can look out for each other. Keep an eye out for suspicious and unusual behavior. Organize a neighborhood watch group, and take turns patrolling the neighborhood. Set up a neighborhood safety event that will teach parents and children safety tips as well as what to do if they are approached by a stranger.
We cannot expect our children to act responsibly if we dont teach them. Many of us enjoy being able to spend time outside in the nice weather, it will be much easier to relax and enjoy summer if you know that your child is prepared and has the knowledge that they need to avoid dangerous situations.Have a safe summer.