Sometimes parents or guardians are too careless with the care or
the supervision of their young children.
They think just because
the child is in the backyard that no one has access to
her/or him, or that the child can't get into immediate life-
threatening situations in a brief second of time.
This is a
fallacy. Children are innately curious, and can and do get into
dangerous situation very quickly.
Things to do to keep your
children safe.
Keep an eye open: If your children are in the back of the house,
or backyard make sure that you have easy visibility of them at
all times.
If you need to leave, make sure that someone res-
ponsible is with them.
Don't leave them in the yard, or
don't leave her or him alone even for a moment if you have
machinery on, such lawn equipment, a washer machine or dryer
that they can get into.
It sounds impossible but a child can
climb into a washer machine or dryer without supervision and
immediately be in trouble.
Never underestimate: Many parents are surprised by a child's
agility, intelligence, or ability for his or her age. For an
example just because your back gate is locked doesn't mean that
the child will not be able to maneuver it open, or figure a way
out of an enclosed place.
Also many predators do not mind that
a gate is locked, if they want to steal a child, they will wait
for an opportunity and unlock or jump a fence, quickly move in
and be gone in a moment.
Don't risk it.
Know where children are walking: I have seen very young children
and adolescents walking, riding a bike, or on a pair of roller
skates that they can't maneuver very well, unaccompanied by any
adults on major routes, or isolated streets, or worse near iso-
lated parks or industrial sites. Children in this situation
become easy and quick targets for predators in cars, or vans.
Don't let them be another snatch and grab statistic.
Tell them to stay close to your home or yard, and insist that
they stay off these major areas.
Back up and Protection: It is important for young children and
young adults to know that you are in their corner.
That when
something becomes very challenging, they will have someone to
support them and back up their choices and they will not be left
alone.
Also children need to feel safe, and it is the adult's
job to provide supervision not just to them but to be aware of
everyone that is around them and what they are doing with your
child. Don't just assume that the child is safe with someone
that the family knows, or with other family members. Make sure
that the child is safe and that they can tell you when they are not.
If a situation does occur with a relative or a family friend, or
even another child, take immediate steps to separate the child
from that situation and make sure that it never happens again.
That way the child will know that this was not her fault and that
you will not allow someone else to hurt her.
Often times when a child is being abused sexually, the abusing
adult or older child will manipulate the child into silence, by
a blatant threat to the child's mother or caregiver, or to the
child her/himself. You need to make sure that the child knows
that is not true, and that you are going to protect her/him, and
that nothing bad will happen to you or the child if s/he tells
you truly what is going on.
You need to let them know that you
are strong and that you are not going to get hurt.
Be aware of the signs that sexual or physical abuse is going
on.
If a child becomes suddenly despondent, listless or un-
focused it could be a sign that is something occurring.
If your
child really resists a person, and doesn't want to kiss, hug or
be held or touched by a particular person, or becomes very dis-
turbed if they have to go with that person, don't press the
issue.
If your child suddenly develops a fixation for her/his own
genital area, or adults, or develops a more explicit sexual
vocabulary than their age, remember they could be repeating what
they have been taught. Chronic Nightmares, chronic fits of
temper, or the child becoming overly moody or aggressive, chronic
constipation, or chronic lack of appetite could be signs that
something is going on with your child and they are physically
reacting to it.
Don't assume that you know what is going on.
Ask if someone or something is bothering them.
Let them know they are very safe.
Safe touching and affection Children also need a lot of affec-
tion and hugs. Tell them that you love them, give them atten-
tion, comfort, and touch them in safe affectionate ways. It is
important that you speak to children and make them aware of what
is safe touching and what is not. In very simple words explain
that certain areas are private and only for them.
No one else
has the right to touch certain areas, such as their mouths,
genitals, or buttocks in ways that makes them feel uncom-
fortable. Also explain that if anyone does touch them and it
hurts or makes them feel uncomfortable, that the child should
tell you right away. Let them know that you will listen to
them.
Assure them that nothing will happen to them.
Keep them safe, and it will make all the difference in their
world.
Make it a safe and happy childhood.
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