Keeping your family safe outside the home
"I thought he was right behind me, but when I turned round, I couldn't see my toddler anywhere. I ran through the supermarket calling his name. When I found him I just burst into tears with relief."
Action
When visiting other people, or if you are out, look out for danger areas, such low walls or broken glass; always keep your child close to you when shopping.
What to say
Remind your child, whatever their age, to stop and look before crossing a road. Ask them to take sensible precautions if they are old enough to be out by themselves.
Warning signs
When you are out and about, you may be more easily distracted and not see the signs that your child is at risk of injury. Your child is your responsibility, so always keep a close eye on them.
Prevention
Most accidents involving children are preventable with adequate care and attention. Never leave a small child unsupervised and keep a close eye on them at all times.
The facts
- Remember other homes are not always child-friendly
- Always check a garden is safe and secure before letting your child play
- Keep your child close when shopping
- Children under eight should not be allowed out alone
- Mobile phones are a good link to your teenager
- Most accidents are preventable
Are your children safe?
Pre-schoolers
Some experts say that there is no such thing as an accident - and, according to RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents), most accidents that happen to young children, such as injuries from falls or drowning, could be avoided with adequate supervision.
If you are visiting friends or relatives, keep a closer eye than usual on your child as their house may not be as child-friendly as yours. Look out for dangerous areas, such as knives sitting on counter tops, drugs such as painkillers left within reach, or open windows. Check that the garden is secure and there is no access to ponds or pools.
It's important to always be aware of where your child is when you are out. When shopping, always make sure your child stays close to you - it is easy for them to get lost in a shopping centre or large supermarket. Supervise playground activities - ensure the playground equipment is suitable for your child’s age group, to prevent injury.
In the car, make sure your child is an age-appropriate car seat and is securely belted in. You should also check that the car seat is strapped in properly - many road accident injuries occur due to wrongly strapped seats, which do not restrain the child adequately on impact.
Primary school years
It can be difficult finding the balance between giving your child enough freedom to gain confidence and making sure they are safe. Children under eight should not be allowed out alone. Teach your child road safety from a young age, so it is habit for them to check for cars before crossing a road. Older children may be trusted to go out for short periods by themselves, but always agree a time for them to return or to phone you. Remind them never to go off with someone they don’t know, whatever convincing story they may have.
Teenagers
It can be hard to keep track of your teenager when they are out, but giving your teen a mobile phone means they can call you if they are in trouble, and you can at least check that they are alright. If you have an older teenage girl, remind her never to get into a minicab that she has not called for.
Contacts
- NSPCC 0808 800 5000 www.nspcc.org.uk
- Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) 020 7608 3828 www.capt.org.uk
- Family Lives 0808 800 2222 www.familylives.org.uk
- The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) 0121 248 2000 www.rospa.com
- Tales of the Road (a website for children about crossing the road)
- Reducing the dangers of knife crime
