Guest Post: Emergency Basics All Parents Should Teach Their Kids

Guest Post: Written by Kimberly from http://www.safetyinvestor.com

No matter how parents try to be always there for their children, it is physically impossible to never leave their side.  When children are in school or parents are not home, kids have to learn to do things on their own.  As many precautions as parents take, some emergencies cannot be avoided and happen when least expected.  So while they are young, arm them with skills that will prepare them for the worst.

Here are 11 emergency basic skills that parents ought to teach their kids:

Numbers to remember

Write down emergency numbers for your kids to call.  Make sure to put there your mobile number, your office number, and other contact persons that will immediately come to their rescue.  Write down the police hotline, fire bureau, hospital, and for easier recall, remind them of the 911 hotline.

When calling government hotlines, teach your kids the proper way of reporting an emergency.  Calling 911 is probably one of the simplest and one of the most important lessons you can teach a child.  Explain to the child what constitutes an emergency and what doesn’t.

Familiarize them with the work of emergency workers in your community.  Make them understand that when a dispatcher takes his call, another one (who could be in real danger) is being put on hold.  Also, explain to him that in some cities, prank calls to 911 are considered a crime.  But when in doubt or there is no adult around, tell them it’s better to make the call than be sorry.

Neighbor favor

During times of emergency, you will realize how important it is to be in good terms with your neighbors.  Make sure your kids know who your neighbors are and encourage them to greet them “hello” and “good morning” whenever there is a chance.  It is important that your kids know that folks nearby can be trusted.

When you have to be away to do some errands, drop by your neighbor’s house and politely ask them to watch over your kids and your house.  It will also help if you tour your kids and do some neighborhood and community watch so that they may familiarize themselves with the nearest emergency outposts and the people next door.

Locks and exits

Among the common emergencies is when kids accidentally lock themselves in a room.  Teach your kids how to use keys and work the locks.  Make sure you keep spare keys in every room and tell your kids where you placed them.  In case there are no phone devices nearby, they can let themselves out without panicking.

In case of fire or when the main doors were accidentally locked, make sure your kids know where the emergency exits are located.

Sounding the alarm

To keep kids safe around the house, teach them how alarm systems work and when they are old enough, show how to operate them.  Familiarize them with the sound of an emergency alarm.  At the same time, remind your kids to lock the garage, doors, and windows.  Show them the proper way of inspecting the home so they would know when something doesn’t feel right.

Elderly rescue

If there are elders living with you at home, your kids must be fully aware of their needs.  There are several developments in assistive technology to care for the elderly like video monitoring, mobility aides, bed detectors, health sensors, etc.  Assistive alarms are a cheaper alternative to care providers.  They are commonly installed to help care for elderly and alert people at home when the patient experiences difficulty in breathing or falls from the bed.  Teach your kids how to read the monitors and recognize each alert and how a life depends on it.

Beyond band aid

Give your kids a crash course in performing first aid.  When kids are at play, cuts and bruises are common.  When they are in school or in a playground, you can’t be with them all the time that is why it is important for them to know how to tend to themselves.

Always make sure they bring with them a first aid kit and let them know what’s in it.  Write a manual coupled with illustrations on how to treat playground injuries like cuts, burns, and splinters.  It will also help if you watch first aid videos together.  Give them a tour of the playground and show them how to use playground equipment safely.

Beware of bullies

Another playground emergency is dealing with bullies.  It is important to bully-proof your child before you send them out to school or a playground.  Teach your kids basic social skills and introduce them to kids and potential friends.  Bullying usually happens when parents and guardians are not around, so tell your kids to avoid unsupervised areas.  Also, make sure your kids appreciate the value in walking away.  Make them understand that it is completely okay.

Stranger danger

Don’t talk to strangers is a cliché that deserves to be taken seriously.  Tell them to never go with a stranger no matter what they say.  If a stranger asks for help or assistance, beg off.  At the same time, remind them to never open the door when someone they don’t know knocks.

Street smart

As soon as kids start going to school, among the most common emergencies are getting lost or realizing that they are not there when you come pick them up.  Make sure your kids are not only technology smart but also street smart.  Teach them the easiest routes back home or to the places you frequent.

Teach your child how to respond to his instincts.  Play “what-ifs” and familiarize them with how to deal with emergency situations when they are out there alone.

Shopping safety

Kids often get excited when they enter a mall or grocery.  Parents, who are busy with their shopping list, sometimes let go of their child’s hand and lose them in sight.  Teach your kids how to approach store personnel and what information to give.  It is also important to set a meeting place in case you lose them.

Disaster alert

Disaster drills are routinely performed in schools.  It is strongly advised to extend these in your home.  At a time when hurricanes are more frequent and cold snaps are more biting, it is required for all parents to teach their kids how to deal with disaster emergencies and keep calm.  Teach them the proper safety position during earthquakes, involve them in creating a family disaster plan and familiarize them with the nearest evacuation site.  Keep a survival kit and let them know how and when to use them.

Emergency situations are serious so make it a commitment to teach your kids how to deal with them and as much as possible, make teaching fun.  Talk safety to your kids early on and never underestimate what they can do.  Safety is every parent’s priority and part of it is making sure their kids are equipped with the skills necessary to make sure they can take also take care of themselves.