March 2006 Newsletter

Spring/Easter Break

It's springtime already and that means NO school for grades K-12. For
working parents this means making arrangements for your children to be
supervised the week school is out. We've compiled some Do's and Don'ts and
important safety tips to help put you at ease and help make it a safer week
for your child(ren).

If you hire a babysitter:

DO'S

• Make sure your sitter has several good references and referrals.


• Meet your sitter's parents and only hire him/her if you have a "good
  feeling". NEVER compromise your child(ren)'s safety by hiring someone by
  default.


• Make a list of emergency contacts (trusted neighbors, family members, your spouse's and your own phone numbers) and have them near the phone.


• Make a list of any health needs, special medications, food allergies, drug allergies, etc. and make sure your babysitter knows where to find the information.


• Make a written list of do's and don'ts, rules and guidelines. Review
  it with both child(ren) and sitter together so everyone understands what is
  expected of them.


• Make a simple contract with do's and don'ts and have the sitter sign it
  along with you. Give them a copy (this leaves no question about what's expected).


• Keep all windows and doors locked at all times.


• Make sure any dangerous and/or poisonous items (alcohol, cleaning
  fluids, etc.) are out of reach and in a safe, secure place.


• Have your sitter and/or child(ren) call in on a predetermined
  schedule just to check in (this will put you at ease and your child(ren) as well).
  
• Provide your sitter and child(ren) with plenty of things to do
  (Games, DVD's, video games, etc.) and refreshments.


• Know with whom and what your child(ren)'s plans are for each and
  every day.


• Review each day and have your child(ren) tell you about their day,
  what they did, what they liked, didn't like, etc. This will give you insight into
  what they did and give you more information than old, 'fine' or 'good'.

DON'TS

• Don't let your babysitter have anyone over or visit without your
  permission and especially someone you have never met (older siblings,
  boyfriend, neighbor, etc.).


• Don't allow the Internet to be used at ALL when you are not at home
  (see February KSEG newsletter on internet use).


• Don't let your children and/or sitter leave your home/property
  without permission, without knowing why or without knowing with whom.

Emergency Plan

Review specific safety protocols (i.e., fire escape routes, if a stranger
calls, if a stranger stops by the home, power goes out, how to make 911
emergency calls

Making 911 Calls ( instructions for children)

• Speak slowly and clearly, stay calm.


• Give the operator your name, location of emergency and phone number.


• Stay on the phone and follow any instructions the 911 operators may
  give you.

Home Alone (without parents or babysitter)

Phone Calls: Don't give any information about:

• Where you live.


• If mom or dad is out, or when they will be back.


• Any personal information about yourself or who's at home right now
  or not at home.


• Hang up the phone immediately if you feel uncomfortable or caller
  says something bad, scary or if you hear strange noises.


• Tell your children not to answer the phone unless (assuming you have
  caller ID) recognize your work or cell number. Or simply let your answering
  machine answer and let them listen to you message to call you. Phone Script "My mom /dad can't come to the phone right now. I'll have them call you."

Stranger comes to the door:

Never let your children answer the door alone (even when you are home) and NEVER-NEVER let them open the door.

Older Child(ren)

• Do make sure you know where, with whom and what your child(ren) are
  doing during the day as much as possible.


• Have them touch base (call in) on a schedule daily with you or set a
  schedule where you will call them on their cell (if they have one).


• Don't allow them to simply "hang-out" in malls, multi-plex cinemas,
  Starbucks, unknown (stranger's) homes, etc or with others you don't know.


• Make sure your children know and understand that law enforcement is
  on high alert during school breaks and are especially watchful of groups of
  teens.


• Hanging in a group with other kids you don't know can be dangerous.


• Let them know it is OK and important to simply leave if they feel
  uneasy or uncomfortable with someone or someplace.

PLAN YOUR CHILD'REN'S WEEK AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE FOR BOTH FUN AND SAFETY.

Note: Giving your babysitter vital information about your child and your contact information can be made easier with a Safe Kidz Kit. Visit our products page at http://www.kseg.org/product.htm for more information.

Mark Spencer, M.A., S.A.F.E.

© Copyright 2006 S.A.F.E. All rights reserved.