Nanny GPS: Child Safety Tips
In today's fast-paced society children's safety is often on the minds of parents and guardians on how to keep the children in their care safe. Here are some common sense general safety tips for both parents and childcarers. When engaging your childcare partner it's important to talk about safety for your children and for them to be aware of the rules you want followed when they are solely responsible for caring for your child/children.
Know where each of your children is at all times.
It's important to know who your children's friends are and for your children to understand the places and homes they are allowed to visit. It's a good general rule to keep in touch with your children throughout the day, in particular for them to let you know when they have arrived at or departed a particular location and indeed when there is a change in plans. Your children should also know where you are and let them know if there is a change in your plans, for example, if you are running late.
Never leave children unattended in a car, whether it is locked or not.
Children should never be left alone in a vehicle. Also remind your children never to hitchhike, approach any vehicles for any reason and not to engage in a conversation with anyone in a vehicle they do not know and trust. It's also a good rule that your children should never go anywhere with anyone without getting your permission first.
Listen to your children
Take time to talk to and listen to what your children are saying. Pay particular attention if they do not want to go somewhere or be with particular people as there may be more than just a disinterest in an activity. Talk to them to discover the reason they do not want to visit someone or participate in an activity.
Teach your children they have the right to say NO to any actions by others and for them to get out of that situation as quickly as possible.
This may be unwelcome, unwanted or confusing touches or actions by others to them. If they are unable to get out of a situation they should be taught to scream, kick and resist. Teach them to scream loudly and shout out this is not my father/mother/minder. They need to be comfortable to tell you immediately if something like this happens. It's important that you, or someone you trust in your family, can build a relationship with your child so that they can tell you, or them, anything and that it is ok to tell you things.
Take an active interest in your children's activities.
By being involved you can directly observe the adults involved in your children's activities, such as swimming lessons, football training etc. If you have any concerns about anyone's behaviour you can then take this up with the management or someone in charge of this activity.
Notice the behaviour of people around your children, for example, if someone starts to show a lot of attention to your child or starts to give your children gifts.
If this happens it's important to talk to your children about this person and to try and understand their behaviour towards your child and why they are acting in this way.
Notice any changes in your children's behaviour or attitudes.
Encourage open communication with your children and take time to talk and listen to them. If you notice any change in their behaviours look for clues indicating something may be troubling them. Try and talk to them in a calm and non-judgemental way and get them to confide in you and then work with them to resolve the problem.
Make sure you screen and references check anyone who will look after your children.
It is essential that you conduct references checks and any screening you can before employing someone to look after your child/children. my.nannygps.com does not undertake any reference or screen checks on any childcarers on this site. It is the responsibility of the family/guardian to undertake these checks. Check with your local law enforcement office to see if they have a public registry to check individuals for prior criminal records or sex offences. Check also the country of origin for your childcarer as to wether they have any facilities in place to check individuals. Check reference with other families who have used the care giver or baby sitter. Once you have chosen your care giver its always a good idea to drop in unexpectedly, or get other trusted family members to drop in unexpectedly, to see how your children are. Also ask your children about the care giver, how they are getting on and listen carefully to their responses.
Practice basic safety skills with children.
When out and about with children it's a good idea to practice safety skills with them. For example, this may include how to use a public payphone, visiting the restroom/toilets with a friend and how to find adults who may be able to help if they need help. Also note that when children wear clothing with their name on it this may bring about unwelcome attention from inappropriate people as it a good way to start a conversation with a child.
Supervision and attention.
It's important to be always available for your children, for them to feel they can talk to you openly and that you will listen to them. Paying attention to them, and their changes in behaviour, as well as supervising their activities goes a long way in building a safe and secure environment for your children.
