April 23, 2021 Respecting Your Child’s Boundaries Respecting your child’s boundaries matters. Every person has their own preferences when it comes to physical touch, and that includes young children. While touch is a fundamental need for babies and toddlers, it is important to teach children that they are allowed to set boundaries and have the self-confidence to stick to them. This helps them advocate for themselves and plays an important role in teaching them how to identify and get away from inappropriate or dangerous interactions with adults or others. Your child may not be comfortable hugging a person they do not know (even if that person is a family member), or they may have moments where they do not want to be tickled or touched. While it can be difficult to hear your child say that they do not want to hug or touch at that time, caregivers should not assume that a child is comfortable with an interaction or demand that they participate in that interaction. By asking for consent, caregivers help their children identify and vocalize their boundaries. These skills not only help them in the present moment but also benefit them long-term. Resources If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of teaching your child about boundaries and strategies to support, check out the following resources: Teaching Consent, Safe Secure Kids Respecting Your Child’s Personal Space and Boundaries, Missing Children’s Network Please Don’t Handle the Children, Janet Lansbury Teaching Kids About Boundaries, Child Mind Institute Respecting a Child’s Right to Say No & Make Choices About Their Own Body, The Pragmatic Parent 5 Tips for Teaching Your Kids about Boundaries, All Pro Dad
Emergency Reference Guide for Babysitters, American Red Cross This easy-to-carry, compact booklet provides step-by-step instructions to handle common emergencies for babysitters such as bee stings and asthma attacks. About It’s important for children to be safe, no matter who is taking care of them. The American Red Cross’ Emergency Reference Guide for Babysitters outlines steps babysitters can take for common injuries and emergency situations such as choking, poisoning or sudden illnesses. Download it now.
Creating a Safe Sleep Environment for Children Safe sleep practices to follow for your children. Infants and Babies Because babies spend much of their time sleeping, the nursery – or their sleeping environment – should be the safest area in the house. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are about 3,500 sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) in the United States. These deaths occur among infants younger than one. Two main causes include sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and accidental strangulation or suffocation in bed. SIDS is the unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby less than a year old. Though the exact cause of SIDs is unknown, research shows parents and caregivers can help reduce its risk and that of other sleep-related deaths. If you just had a baby, are expecting, or are taking care of a young infant it’s important to implementing safe sleep practices including: Placing a baby on its back to sleep – Infants should be placed for sleep on their back for every sleep by every caregiver until the child reaches one year of age. Side and stomach sleeping is not safe and is not advised. Infants should never be left to sleep on sofas, armchairs, or in sitting devices. Removing suffocation hazards – A firm mattress and fitted sheet are all you need for your baby’s crib. Remove soft bedding, blankets, pillows, toys, crib bumper pads, pacifier clips, or any other items that could obstruct infant breathing or cause overheating should be in the bed. Avoiding bed sharing – Infants should sleep in the parents’ room, close to the parents’ bed but on a separate surface (room sharing). The infant’s crib, portable crib, play yard or bassinet should be placed in the parent’s bedroom for at least 6 months but preferably a year. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offers safety standards for bedside sleepers. There are no safety standards for in-bed sleepers. Toddlers and Young Children The move from a crib to a bed doesn’t come at the same time for everyone. If a child is comfortable in a crib, there’s no need for a move, but some children are ready sooner than others. Here are some safety considerations to make before your child graduates from a crib to a toddler bed or kid-sized bed: Does your child climb out of the crib? Ideally, babies would remain in their cribs closer to pre-k age, but the switch should happen before a child begins to climb out of the crib and possibly hurt themselves. Most toddlers have the ability to climb out of a crib when they are 35 inches tall. Keep the crib mattress on the lowest setting to make it harder to climb out. Is the bed safety certified? Keep it low to the ground and make sure it comes equipped with guardrails to keep your child from falling out. Check for a sticker from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) on the bed and any portable rails you purchase. Remove all hazards from the child’s room and the rest of the home. Once the crib bars are removed, your child is no longer confined to a small space. They’re given a newfound freedom to explore their bedroom – and the whole house, for that matter. A big kid bed should be positioned in the center of the room, if possible, or at least a few feet away from a wall. Even at this older age, there is still a risk of suffocation if they become trapped between the wall and the bed. Ensure that window blind cords or electronics cords like baby monitors, which can be strangulation hazards, are out of reach. Watch for items that your toddler might be able to pull into bed, like picture frames, lamps, etc. Secure the stairs with gates at the top and bottom, bolt bookshelves and televisions to the wall, and put safety latches on dresser drawers so they can’t pull them out and use them to climb. Consider using a monitor or attach bells to the door so you know when your child leaves the bedroom.
Car Seat Safety for Children Car seat use reduces the risk for injury in crashes by 71% to 82%. Choosing the Right Car Seat for Your Child Car crashes are a leading cause of injury or death for children. The CDC states that car seat use reduces the risk for injury in crashes by 71% to 82% for children when compared with seat belt use alone. Did you know that more than half of car seats are not used or installed correctly? The best way to keep your child safe every time you get in a vehicle is to ensure that you’re using the right car seat and that you’re using it the correct way. It can be overwhelming and intimidating, so parents, expectant parents, caregivers should take the time to research available options and find the seat that is appropriate for your child’s age, weight, and height (as well as your car model). There are a variety of car seat options available for parents, and one size does not fit all. Here’s a look at some of the options available: Infant Carriers (rear-facing) Convertible Car Seats (rear-facing and forward-facing) 3-in-1 Seats (rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster) Booster Seats Car seats come with a user manual with detailed instructions for installing and buckling your child. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also maintains a directory of many car seat inspection stations. More detailed information can be found in the Resources section. Staying Safe in the Seat Choosing and installing a car seat is definitely a large part of the process to keep your child safe in the car, but it doesn’t stop there. Each time you leave the house in a vehicle, you need to check that your child is strapped in correctly and external factors do not impact the efficacy of the seat. Here are some things to consider: Bulky clothing, including winter coats and snowsuits, can compress in a crash and leave the straps too loose to restrain your child, leading to increased risk of injury. Ideally, dress your baby in thinner layers and wrap a coat or blanket around your baby over the buckled harness straps if needed. Car seat safe coats also are popping up on the market. Learn more Winter Car Seat Safety Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics and Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children. Do not place padding under or behind your child or use any sort of car safety seat insert unless it came with the seat or was made by the manufacturer for use with that specific seat. When you add comfort items (like custom car seat covers, head supports, strap covers and winter inserts), you’re changing the way the seat fits and protects your child. Be wary of toys in the car. Choose toys that are soft and will not hurt your child in a crash. Secure any loose objects in the car Never leave your child alone in the car. Allow time for snacking before you get in the car. It’s hard to attend to a child who is choking when you are driving, so it’s best not to give food in the car. If a child needs to eat during a long trip, stop or offer a liquid or a pouch in the car to reduce the risk of choking. Do not use seats that have been in a moderate or severe crash. Seats that were in a minor crash may still be safe to use, but some car safety seat manufacturers recommend replacing the seat after any crash, even a minor one. The NHTSA considers a crash minor if all the following situations are true: The vehicle could be driven away from the crash. The vehicle door closest to the car safety seat was not damaged. No one in the vehicle was injured. The airbags did not go off. You can’t see any damage to the car safety seat. Safety on Public Transportation Travel with children isn’t always limited to cars. Parents and caregivers might have to take their young children on other forms of transportation such as airplanes, buses, or trains. The following resources outline safe guidelines: Airplane Travel The Federal Aviation Administration – Flying with Children The American Academy of Pediatrics – Family Friendly Flying The National Transportation Safety Board – Child Passenger Safety on an Aircraft School Bus Safety National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – School Bus Safety Safe Kids Worldwide – Pre-school and school age children on school buses Public Transportation Everything You Need to Know About Using a Car Seat on Public Transportation
Safe Interactions Between Pets, Animals, and Young Children Animals always need to be supervised when they are in a room with children, and they should never be left alone. Using Proper Hygiene Practices Around Animals Animals can carry bacteria, parasites and viruses that can be spread to humans causing illnesses in humans. Children younger than five are more likely to get sick from germs animals carry because they often touch contaminated surfaces and put their hands in their mouths. Their immune systems also are developing. Children should not kiss, snuggle, or hold animals close to their faces, and they should not let animals lick their faces. The CDC also recommends that children younger than five years old avoid contact with the following animals due to harmful bacteria that they might carry: Reptiles (lizards, snakes, and turtles) Amphibians (frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders) Backyard poultry, including baby chicks or ducklings Rodents (rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs) Hand washing is essential to stopping the spreading of germs. To ensure appropriate handwashing techniques after playing with pets or visiting fairs, pet stores, farms, petting zoos, and exhibits, parents and teachers should supervise children. Always wash your hands and your child’s hands after: Touching or playing with pets Feeding or handling pet food Handling pet habitats or equipment (cages, tanks, toys, food and water dishes, etc.) Cleaning up after pets Leaving areas where animals live (coops, barns, stalls, etc.), even if you did not touch an animal Safe Interactions Between Pets, Babies, and Young Children No matter how trustworthy you think your pet is, animals are unpredictable. If you have pets, it might be a hard transition for them when a new baby comes home. Your pet’s schedule is likely to change, and they’ll be getting different amounts of attention from you. To make the transition as smooth as possible, it’s important to take the time to prepare your dog or cat for the arrival of a baby. Taking the following steps can help minimize anxiety or unwanted behaviors from your pet that could harm your baby: Work on obedience skills with your pet. If you have a dog, consider enrolling in a training class. Introduce your pet to new experiences – such as sights and sounds- that they will encounter when a baby is home. Baby gates, lotions, and strollers on walks can help your pet get used to changes in the environment. Anticipate any schedule changes that will happen with a new baby and start implementing them a few months before the baby arrives. Animals always need to be supervised when they are in a room with children, and they should never be left alone. Because of risk of suffocation, pets should never be allowed to sleep with an infant. Close the nursery door and use a baby monitor to prevent a dog or cat from sneaking into the room. When a baby is old enough to crawl or walk, teach them to stay away from a pet’s toys, food bowls, and litter boxes. Safety gates can keep babies out of a cat’s litter box while offering cats access. Young babies often grab anything their hands can reach, including a pet’s fur, ears, and tails. You can teach a toddler how to gently handle a pet and practice with them so the child and pet get used to interacting with each other. Always supervise interactions so that you can guide your child and play an active role in the development of a relationship between your child and your pet. Teach your children how to approach or interact with animals, and set rules like: Always ask for permission before approaching or petting an animal; don’t approach an unfamiliar animal Don’t tease the animal or pull on its leash, collar, ears, or tail Don’t touch an animal’s food or toys, as some are territorial Don’t chase the animal Let the animal leave if it wants to leave Wash your hands after touching an animal Use quiet voices Keep faces away from the animal Never force an interaction between a child and a pet. If either seems uncomfortable or nervous, give them time to get comfortable and let them approach each other on their own terms. This minimizes the risk of injury for both the child and the pet. What to Do When a Pet Bites a Child Animal bites can be prevented, yet more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the U.S. Children are the most common victims of dog bites, and at least half of the 800,000 people who receive medical care for dog bites each year are children, according to the CDC. To reduce the number of injuries from dog bites — and bites from other pets in general — adults and children should be educated about bite prevention. Dogs and cats, specifically, bite or scratch for a variety of reasons – they feel threatened, scared, territorial, or they do so during play. If you encounter an aggressive pet: Stand still and avoid looking into its eyes If it attacks, hold something in between you and the pet If you fall, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears and don’t move If your child is bitten and/or scratched: Clean the wound with soap and water immediately Consult with your child’s pediatrician as soon as possible. Some wounds might need stitches or other treatments such as antibiotics, tetanus vaccine, or rabies vaccine might be necessary. If your child doesn’t need medical attention, apply antibiotic ointment and watch for any signs of infection
Teaching Young Children About Interacting with Strangers Children need to learn how to identify and respond to dangerous situations. “Stranger danger,” the idea or warning that all strangers can potentially be dangerous, is a common slogan among parents and young children. However, teaching “stranger danger” can actually be more harmful for children in certain situations because they might avoid asking someone they don’t know for help if they are in trouble. The generalization of “never talk to strangers” doesn’t fully educate children about how to keep themselves safe. According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the majority of abduction and sexual abuse cases are committed by someone the child knows. Teaching Children About Stranger Interaction Children need to learn how to identify and respond to dangerous situations. Parents, caregivers, and teachers should tailor safety messages for specific situations and use role playing so children can be confident in steps to take. KidSmartz offers a list of safety scenarios to practice. Some ways to help children include: Teaching them to stay put and not wander away if they become lost. Staying where they are increases children’s chances of being found unless that place becomes too dangerous because of severe weather or another potentially threatening situation. In that case children need to go to the nearest safe spot and wait for rescuers. They also can make noise either by yelling, blowing a whistle, or attracting attention in some other way. This may help bring someone to their rescue. Helping them recognize the warning signs of suspicious behavior, such as when an adult asks them to disobey their parents or do something without permission, asks them to keep a secret, asks children for help, or makes them feel uncomfortable in any way. Sometimes children feel like they need to agree to what adults are asking. Make sure that your children know that it is okay to say no to an adult in a dangerous situation. Teaching them about “safe strangers” or people they can go to for help if they need to, such as a uniformed police officer, an adult with kids, a teacher, a store clerk, etc. Giving them a “safe code word.” If an adult wants your child to get in their car, they must know the safe word. Giving them acceptable and appropriate control of their bodies. Don’t scold children for refusing to kiss or hug others if they don’t want to. This can send mixed signals and might give them the impression that it’s ok to be forced into an uncomfortable situation. Teaching them that it’s ok to stand up for themselves and tell people “no” if something makes them uncomfortable. Explain that they should tell you about these kinds of incidents as soon as possible. Having these conversations with children will equip them with the awareness and confidence they need to handle potentially dangerous situations.
Creating Safe Environments for Infants, Toddlers, and Young Children Safe spaces for children at home. Babies, toddlers, and young children are constantly learning about the world around them. But curiosity could open the door to unintentional injuries, such as those caused by burns, drowning, falls, poisoning, and road traffic. Though most unintentional injuries can be prevented, they are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children in the United States. Infants and toddlers have a limited understanding of safety, danger, and the consequences of their actions in their eager attempts to explore their environments. Drawers can become staircases, medicine and creams could be mistaken for food, and more. As a parent or caregiver, it’s important to continuously take steps to eliminate hazards and create safe spaces for children in the home and out of the home with childproofing, but remember that it doesn’t eliminate the need for supervision. Around the House Install smoke detectors on every level of your home and near bedrooms. Install carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas in your homes if you use gas or oil heat or have an attached garage. Set your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help prevent burns from hot water. Install covers on all electrical outlets. Secure furniture and large appliances to the wall, so that your kids can’t tip them over if they climb on them. Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs and in the doorways of rooms with hazards. Ensure that you are using the proper gates for the area you choose for installation. For example, only gates that screw to the wall should be used as the top of stairs. Check the floor regularly for small items and toys that younger children can choke on. Secure doors with door knob covers or lever locks to make it harder for children to open doors leading out of your home, to the bathroom, to the basement, or to closets. Place furniture away from balconies and high windows so children can’t climb onto window sills. Use window guards and safety netting to help prevent falls from windows, balconies, decks, and landings. Window screens are not effective for preventing children from falling out of windows. Make sure window blinds do not have looped cords, as they can be strangulation hazards. Keep loose or spare batteries locked away. Keep devices with batteries out of the reach of children. Keep firearms unloaded and locked away. Remove free-falling lids from toy chests, which should have lids that stay open or removable ones. For infants, toddlers, and all children who still mouth objects, avoid toys with small parts, which could pose a fatal choking hazard. Never give young children small balls or balloons. Install childproof latches on drawers and cabinets. Living Room Mount your TV to the wall or anchor TVs on stands to the wall. Keep candles and matches out of reach. Make sure the fireplace is covered when it is not in use. When it’s in use, install heat-resistant gates to use when the flames are burning. Keep power strips hidden behind furniture or buy a powerstrip cover. Use edge guards to cover coffee table corners. Kitchen/Dining Room Turn pot handles inward on the stove and use back burners. Ensure your oven has an anti-tip bracket installed. Install latches on appliance doors or keep them securely closed at all times. Install stove knob covers. Place hot foods and liquids at the center of tables. Remove knives, glass, and other sharp objects from countertops. Keep cleaners out of reach and locked away. Keep drinking alcohol out of reach and locked away. Don’t use tablecloths, as they can be grabbed and pulled. Bathroom Always supervise children during bath time. Empty bathtubs immediately after use. Keep medication securely locked in child resistant containers in a high cabinet. Store razor blades, nail clippers, and other sharp tools in a locked cabinet. Always leave the toilet closed and/or install a toilet-lid lock. Unplug hair dryers, curling irons, and electric razors when they’re not in use. Keep bottles of mouthwash, perfumes, hair dyes, hair sprays, nail polishes, and nail polish removers stored in a locked cabinet. Laundry Room/Garage Close washer and dryer doors. Use childproof locks for the laundry chute. Keep the following tools, products, and supplies stored away from children: Auto maintenance, pool care, gardening, lawn work Bleaches, detergents, detergent pods, and other cleaning products Outdoor safety Never leave children alone outside. Install a fence with a self-closing gate around a pool or hot tub. Consider installing a pool alarm. Remove ladders from above ground pools when not in use. If you own a pool, invest in swimming lessons for children if you’re able to. Remove trash, sharp branches, tools, lawn equipment, and animal feces from outdoor play areas. Keep swing sets parts free from rust, splinters, and sharp edges. Make sure all parts are securely fastened. Cover sand boxes when not in use so animals won’t use them as a litter box Teach children not to play on the street and to hold your hand when you cross the street. If you buy bicycles, scooters, skateboards, or inline skates, don’t forget to include appropriate safety gear, such as helmets and pads.
Discussing Emergencies with Young Children in a Non-Threatening Way It’s critical that young children be prepared for emergencies. How to Talk to Children About Emergencies Adults might avoid talking about emergency situations with children because it could instill fear or cause anxiety to their children. Children’s abilities to cope with stressful or frightening situations improve when they know more about what is happening and feel that they are able to help protect those closest to them. There are non-threatening ways to approach emergency topics while helping children feel empowered. Define what an emergency is – explain that emergencies generally require police, firefighter, or medical assistance. Give them examples of an emergency, such as a house fire or an unresponsive adult. Teach your child to call 911 in the event of an emergency. Practice on a toy phone, an unplugged landline, or your cell phone. Explain to your child that the person on the phone will ask “Where are you calling from?” and “What is your emergency?” Role play with your child to go over examples of emergency situations. Invite your children to help you change batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Consider intentionally setting them off in front of your child – prepare them beforehand – so they know what the alarms sound like. This can help reduce anxiety. Practice escape plans from each room in your home. Focus on emergencies your family is more likely to encounter, such as a specific type of natural disaster or medical event. Use songs to help your child remember your phone number or practice writing it. While partaking in the activities above, consistently explain to your child that they are safe and protected. Let them know that these things probably won’t happen but it’s good to have a plan in place just in case.
Safety and Emergencies: Family Resources Keeping children safe is one of the biggest responsibilities for a parent or child caregiver. Check out our list of resources below for more information, activities, and tools. Creating a Safe Home Environment for Children in Pennsylvania Allegheny County Health Department’s Safe and Healthy Homes provides free in-home health and safety assessments to qualified participants in Allegheny County as well as Beaver, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. The program aims to reduce hospitalizations, injuries, illnesses, or deaths from preventable home health or safety hazards. Assessments include a visual inspection for potential dangers in the home such as child safety hazards such as drowning, poisoning, tripping, burn risks, and window safety; lead-based paint; pest infestations; mold, and more. Allegheny Lead Safe Homes Program offers qualifying homeowners and renters in Allegheny County with free lead-paint testing throughout their homes and hires a certified lead abatement contractor to repair any lead hazards found up to $12,000. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency outlines actions you can take to protect your children and prevent them from coming into contact with lead before they are harmed. Staffed 24 hours a day by nurse specialists who have extensive training in clinical toxicology, the Pittsburgh Poison Center responds to requests for poison information from the general public and medical professionals who reside in 44 Pennsylvania counties. There is no fee to the general public for this service. The Pittsburgh Poison Center conducts comprehensive, continuing poison prevention education programs, as well as training programs and seminars for healthcare professionals. For emergencies, call 1.800.222.1222. ChildproofingExperts.com was founded by childproofing professionals of the International Association for Child Safety (IAFCS) as a resource for parents and caregivers seeking information about keeping homes, child care centers, and play facilities safer for young children. Safe Sleep Cribs for Kids® aims to prevent infant sleep-related deaths by educating parents and caregivers on the importance of practicing safe sleep for their babies and by providing portable cribs to families who, otherwise, cannot afford a safe place for their babies to sleep. The organization’s Sleep Safe Academy offers additional tools and resources for parents. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has a comprehensive Question and Answer page about how you can make sure your infant is sleeping safely. Learn more about creating a safe sleep environment for your baby. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) crib information center offers information on crib safety and up-to-date information on infant product recalls. The American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement, SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2016 Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment provides recommendations for building safe sleep environments. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Safe Sleep for Infants” video discusses infant safe sleep recommendations, the need for standardized SUID investigation and reporting practices, and promising interventions. The Safe to Sleep campaign has outreach activities to spread safe sleep messages and educational materials about ways to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths. Car Seats and Travel The National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training Program directory is provided as a way for parents and caregivers to contact technicians for information and assistance. Simply fill in the online form and search by location, language or special needs training. UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh‘s Injury Prevention Program sponsors car seat checks throughout our community. Car seat safety technicians are on-hand to teach parents to properly install car seats and explain the importance of child passenger safety seats. Call 1.877.498.4332, press 4 to make an appointment. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains a directory of many car seat inspection stations. Safe Kids Worldwide offers tips for parents and caregivers before, during, and after a car seat inspection appointment. Safe Kids Allegheny County is led by UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Team Educators for Child Safety (TECHS) coalition of certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technicians and Instructors serving the greater Pittsburgh area. The PA Traffic Injury Prevention Project (PA TIPP) is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to assist in the development, training and promotion of Car Seat Loan Programs throughout Pennsylvania. Car seats provided to loan programs are purchased through the Child Passenger Restraint Fund from the traffic citations issued for violations of the Pennsylvania Child Passenger Protection Law. Pennsylvania Car Seat Fitting Stations have certified child passenger safety technicians available to assist with a car seat inspection and to teach you how to correctly use and install your car seat. The booklet A Parent’s Guide to Playing It Safe with Kids and Cars is designed to equip you with easy-to-understand information about today’s vehicle safety features, car seats and how to keep your kids safe in and around vehicles. The Car Seat Lady website offers some insight into how bulky winter coats pose a safety risk when worn in a car seat and what you can do to keep your child warm and safe. Pet Safety The California Department of Health’s “Don’t Let the Dogs Bite: How to be Safe Around Dogs” coloring book can aid parents and caregivers in teaching their children how to behave safely around dogs. The CDC’s “Stay Healthy Around Animals” coloring book teaches young children how to care for themselves and animals. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) offers a large amount of information for pet owners including: Tips for dog owners, including training your dog and teaching your children to respect your pet An outline of dog aggression and factors to consider to help you determine if your dog needs professional training. An outline of the types of behavioral and training specialists and their differences. Kids Health from Nemours has a list of infections that pets carry, how they spread, and how to prevent them. Personal Safety KidSmartz offers a list of safety scenarios to practice. Other resources include: Tell People “No” video The Safety Dance video Lesson plans about personal safety with project-based lessons for grades K-2 and 3-5. They’ll learn how to be safer through art activities, journal writing, and animated videos. The CDC has a backpack emergency card that parents can fill out and keep in their child’s backpack. Emergency Preparedness The CDC’s Ready Wrigley books teach children about different emergencies such as natural disasters and illness. American Academy of Pediatrics published Are You Ready for Disasters? Family Readiness Kit Sesame Street Let’s Get Ready: Planning Together for Emergencies is a bilingual (English and Spanish) multiple media resource designed to help entire families, especially those with young children, to plan and prepare together for emergencies. Through simple strategies and tips that can be incorporated into everyday routines, Let’s Get Ready helps children, families, and caregivers to prepare ahead of time in age-appropriate and engaging ways.
Summer Safety Brochure, Allegheny County Health Department Summer offers plenty of opportunities to get outside, get active, and enjoy family activities. By heeding some simple tips, parents and caregivers can ensure that summer is both safe and fun. About The Allegheny County Health Department and Allegheny County Department of Human Services developed a Summer Safety brochure, featuring important information and tips on how families can enjoy summer while staying safe. The Summer Safety brochure includes tips on the following topics: bug bites and stings sun safety safety on wheels water safety car safety chemical and poison safety To view the full list of tips, download the brochure.
