Keeping Kids Safe on July 4th

With Independence Day quickly approaching, we would like to provide you with some tips on child safety! While July 4^th is an opportunity for the whole community to come together and celebrate everything American with parades and fireworks, it is important to observe safety precautions which can help you and your families avoid dangerous situations.

• Review safety rules with children before you leave your home. Ensuring that kids have contact information memorized will be helpful in the event of separation.

• Dress your children in clothing that is easily distinguishable from the rest of a crowd.

• Accompany and supervise children in public facilities, including restrooms.

• Keep children with you at all times and strictly enforce a buddy system for older children, including designating a time and place to meet.

• If you are celebrating this Independence Day away on vacation, have children memorize or keep handy your cell phone number and address, as well as the name, phone number, and address of the place you are staying.

• Remind children to remain in the area where they become separated, and teach them to dial 9-1-1 in emergency situations.

• Point out unsafe places to play and discourage kids from taking shortcuts or playing near dangerous intersections.

• In the event they are grabbed by a stranger, instruct children to yell, “This person is trying to take me!” or “This is not my mother/father!” and to resist by pulling, walking or running away.

• If traveling away to celebrate, look up the new location’s sex offender registry and be aware of your surroundings.

• Make sure your children don’t play too close to the fireworks, drink lots of water and wear sunscreen!

 For more tips, click here!