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.

 If there is a topic that you would like more info on, email shellynp@totdoc.com