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The following guide has been prepared to help parents and caregivers raise children in a healthy and safe environment. It isn't meant to be comprehensive, but to help you begin thinking through what is conducive to raising happy and healthy children.
- Closely watch children during bath time to avoid drowning. As well test the water temperature so their skin won't be burned by it.
- Don't promote children wearing clothing, book bags, etc. which have their name on it. This is to discourage strangers from being deceitful by addressing children by their name.
- Ensure there are hand rails for children to climb the stairs with.
- Ensure there are working smoke detectors on each level of your residence and in all designated sleeping areas.
- Have practice fire drills so your children know what to do if the smoke detector sounds.
- Help children establish the boundary that others aren't allowed to touch their genitals.
- If natural gas is used for heating, cooking or you use a natural gas hot water tank have carbon monoxide detectors spread throughout the house. A tip for house renovations is that carbon monoxide detectors may be linked into smoke detector circuits, causing additional alarm protection if carbon monoxide is detected.
- In order to avoid being grabbed and kidnapped help children learn to walk around parked vehicles, including vans. While impressing this upon a child help them learn what is safe they don't grow up in fear.
- Include the following telephone numbers in each telephones speed dial directory: Ambulance, fire department, hospital and police station
- It is imperative to approach the authorities if a child describes abuse.
- Keep medications (both prescription and those which may be purchased over the counter) safely out of the reach of children.
- Provide a consistent bed time for children.
- Provide your child with a bicycle helmet. Have this become part of the routine when they go for bike rides.
- Remind children that bad people don't look bad and often times they are nice lady's and not just men.
- Store household chemicals safely out of the reach of children.
- Teach and help children understand why it is important to not talk to strangers.
- Teach children to not accept food from strangers.
- Teach your child about water safety. Have the children wear life jackets when on the beach or around water.
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