Summer School Safety Tips For Your Kids

The long holidays are here and summer schools are springing up everywhere. But when many parents send their children out to attend these summer classes and other after-school programs, they take it for granted that their kids are safe.

However, the number of children participating in these summer schools and after-school activities has increased. It is therefore crucial to consider safety issues before you send your kids out.

Children are vulnerable when they are outside their normal school classes or environment. While going or returning, they should know the safest route to take. Since it is not the regular school session, many kids hang out with their friends just after these classes.

·        Find out 'danger zones' from your neighbors and make the children aware of these.

A lot of negative peer influences which kids pick during regular school seasons which they find it hard to express are experimented during this summer school times. Children in their formative ages and teens could be lured to try out smoking, smooching, and other vices they may have fantasized all year long.

Children should also be taught how to handle emergencies. It is better to discuss various scenarios with your kids. Tell him/her what to do in case the class is suddenly cancelled.

·        Let them strictly know who is permitted to pick them up if you are held up.

·        Let them know where the first-aid kit at home is and make sure they know who to call in an emergency.

Important phone numbers or contact information should be posted in a place that is easily accessible to the kids. If a child will be alone at home, discuss a few unexpected things with him.

It is also good to relay on your neighbors and friends when need arises. But warn your kids well ahead of what is allowed or not when they are in company of neighbours, friends and other family members.

·        A lot of child abuse cases occur when kids are with people they consider “friendly”.

In this days of telecom advancement, make it easy for you to call and check on your child by phone. A restricted dial in/out phone could do here.

And when they go or return, tell them to always be in a group. Even visiting toilets all alone or going home via isolated streets must be avoided.