• Teen should always wear a seatbelt when riding in a car. 
• They should wear helmets when riding bikes, skateboards, rip sticks, or skating.
• Talk to your teen about smoking, tobacco, drugs and alcohol use.  Also talk about the dangers of steroid and diet pill use.
• Talk with your teen about non-violent ways to handle anger or fear.
• Be aware of where your child is going and who they will be with.  It is always a good idea to have a parent close by at the mall, movies, parks, etc.  If your child wants to hang out with a friend, make sure that the other child’s parents will be home and that there will be adult supervision.
• Teen parties should always be supervised by a responsible adult.
• Encourage kids that they should  not give their cell phone number to people that they do not know.  Teach them not to respond to text messages from numbers and people that they don't know.
• Talk with kids about what is appropriate.  Do not send texts or capture pictures or video on cell phones that they wouldn't feel comfortable sharing with their parents. Have them ask “how would I feel if that text or picture/video were broadcast all across the school, and all across the Internet.  
• Encourage kids to keep their cell phone keypad locked (and the PIN or password safe and private), so that others can't grab it, unlock it, and use it. 
• Monitor your child’s cell use and online activity.  Teach kids that on-line chat rooms/social media can be dangerous.   Tell your kids that if they do not know someone, do not communicate with them online or with texting.  Cyber bullying is real and happens every day.  Parents,  be aware of what is going on.

Car Seats

• Children should remain in a 5 point harness car seat until they have reached the weight/height limits for the seat and then may move to a belt positioning booster. 
• Booster seats should be used until age 8 or when the child reaches 4 ft 9 in in height.

Stranger Danger

• Talk to your children about the dangers of strangers.  Use role play to practice different scenarios in which they may encounter a stranger.

Fire Safety

• Develop a fire safety plan for your family and practice.  Remind small children that a fire in your home is very scary, but that they should never hide under a bed or in a closet during a fire.
• Allow children to help change the batteries of the smoke detectors.  Set off a test alarm so that everyone in the family knows what sound to listen for.
• Practice stop, drop, and roll with your kids.

Water Safety

• Teach your child how to swim, but never allow them to be near a pool alone.   Even good swimmers can have accidents!
• If there is a time that you cannot find your child, check the pool or body of water first!! 

General Safety

• Helmets should always be used when children are playing on bikes, skates, skateboards, rip sticks, or any other riding toy.  Start this early so that your child gets used to always wearing their helmet.
• Teach children their parent’s names, phone numbers, and address.  Practice this with them often so that they can easily recall the info.
• Kids are very computer savvy now.  Monitor their use of computers, i-pads, and cell phones.  Use parental controls if possible.  You child can accidently access unwanted sites very easily.

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