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Post date: Oct 30, 2011 12:9:45 PM
As part of its One Million Safer Kids project, , a global leader in personal safety education for children, is reminding parents that the trick to having a fun, safe Halloween is to Stay Aware and to teach your children to do the same. Here are some things kids need parents to remember:
• Safety doesn’t take a holiday. Stay aware of where your children are, whom they are with, and what they are doing.
• Kids need to be reminded of their safety rules about trick-or-treating. Last Halloween was a long time ago in the life of a child! Have your children repeat the rules back to you, and practice to show you that they know how to follow them. Remind kids to Stay Aware, Stay Together, Check First before they change the plan, and Think First if you are not available. Give kids a plan for how to get help if they get lost.
• Kids need you to review your “stranger safety” rules. During Halloween, young children are encouraged to talk to strangers and to take candy from them. This is fine because you are there with them. Give children clear guidelines and rules specific to what you will be doing. For example, with young children: "We are going to be talking to lots of strangers and people we don’t know well. That’s fine, because I know you are talking to strangers! Our rule is that you Check First because your grown-ups want to know. Today, while I am with you, you can talk to any strangers who answer the door. We aren't going to people’s houses to stay and visit, so we won't go in."
• Kids are safer crossing the street if they can see. Avoid costumes that make it hard to Stay Aware of cars and other hazards.
• Kids need adult supervision to stay safe. Even if your kids really want to be on their own, don't let them go out without adult protection until they have the knowledge and skills they need to take charge of their emotional and physical safety.
• Giving the right answer is not the same as being prepared to make the safest choice. Just knowing what to do is not enough – you also have to be able to do it even if you feel embarrassed, confused, or uncomfortable. Give children and teens opportunities to practice personal safety skills successfully, and show you that they can use them consistently, before you decide to let them go anywhere on their own.
For more tips, see our full article at www.kidpower.org/resources/articles/halloween.html.
To learn how you can make a difference by joining Kidpower’s new One Million Safer Kids campaign, visit www.onemillionsaferkids.org.
Kidpower Vermont
P.O. Box 94
North Ferrisburg, VT 05473
KidpowerVermont@gmail.com
www.kidpowervermont.org
(802) 425-KIDS
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