Statistically, child safety has improved. Not only has violence against children seen a significant drop over the last decade, but child mortality rates have also gone down due to improved medical standards and practices. The reason for this increase in safety is largely due to technology. The increase in surveillance cameras in shopping centers reduces crime rates and the use of cell phones makes it easier to call for help in an emergency. The world is a safer place for children because we have more information, resources, and communication methods to keep our children safe.
Still, as a parent, it’s practically impossible not to worry about your child’s safety. While it’s probably unrealistic to dispense with worrying altogether, here are three practical things that you can do to ease your mind:
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Keeping your kids safe at home.
The biggest dilemma working parents face is after-school care. Should you hire a sitter? Is a sitter likely to abuse your children? Is it better for the children to be home alone? What about that creepy neighbor?
Local protection options for home automation systems will help you create a safer environment for your children when they are home before you get out of work.
Here are four features you’ll find invaluable:
- A security cameracan allow you to remotely monitor your house in real time on your phone.
- Remote lockshelp your kids get into the house without worry about lost keys. Once inside the house, you will receive a text message on your mobile phone. The code can be restricted to certain hours so that the sitter can no longer get back into the house after they leave. If the house door is ever left unlocked, you can lock it remotely.
- A video door phonewill make it possible to see who is at the front door, which makes it easy to decide whether or not to answer the door. In addition, it can take pictures or videos of suspicious visitors.
- Door sensorsmake it possible to secure areas that you don’t want your children or the sitter accessing. For instance, you might want to make sure that your children don’t get into the medicine closet or that the sitter doesn’t explore your bedroom for any valuables like jewelry or cash. An alert is sent to your phone if a door sensor is activated.
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Keeping kids safe online.
The online world can be a rich source of meaningful friendships and important educational content that can help your children in school, but it can also be a dangerous place. Besides exposure to unscrupulous people on social media websites, there is plenty of porn and other dark places online. Use browser parental controls and software that filters mature content. Also, teach your children about phishing scams and keeping their information private online. And, of course, never allow your children to shop online without you. While all this surveillance of your child’s online activity might make you feel uncomfortable, the question is not whether or not you should monitor your child’s online activities, but how much you think is necessary to keep them safe.
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Keeping kids safe in summer.
How do you make sure your kids are safe when going to summer programs, biking, and swimming?
- Stranger danger.How do you keep your kids safe from strangers when they are at some community event, like summer camp or volunteering at a bake out sale at your local church? You have to teach them some ground rules on when it’s okay not to be nice and polite.
Teach your child:
- To trust their own instincts.
- To refuse to obey a supervising adult’s instructions that appear unreasonable.
- To immediately report anyone who threatens them or tries to hurt them.
- To shout out, “This is not my parent,” in case an adult tries to abduct them.
- To refuse all treats or invitations to go anywhere with a stranger.
- To shout, scream, or run away if they are in any danger.
- Outdoor activities. The best way to keep your children safe when biking or swimmingis to make sure that they are fully aware of all the safety rules they must follow.
Although the world hasn’t actually become a less dangerous place, we have become more fearful because we are better informed about things. Fortunately, through the use of proper information and technology, it is easier for us to keep our children safer than ever before.
