Everything is under control: we create a safe environment for children at home

Content:

• The main sources of danger for a child at home. Looking for and eliminating Safe environment for newborn babies
• We provide security in the apartment for toddlers
• Safety etiquette for children who are left at home alone

Methods of teaching children

Preschoolers and children of primary school age perfectly perceive information conveyed in a playful form. Let your favorite doll or teddy bear get “lost,” and the baby will tell them how to behave, act as mom or dad, and “find what’s missing.”

It is completely useless to voice the rules if the parents themselves violate them in front of their children. When a child sees his parents running across the road at a red light, in the wrong place, or throwing trash on the sidewalk, he will do the same. Do you want safety for your children? Show them an example of safe behavior.

In order for children to correctly perceive information from their parents and share with them any fears and doubts that arise, it is necessary to build friendly, trusting relationships. In the interaction between “controller and person being checked,” the child is more likely to act contrary to the stated rules.

The main sources of danger for a child at home. We search and eliminate

At every age, a child discovers something new. Growing up is an amazing and fascinating process, but, unfortunately, it is inextricably linked with dangers. The task of parents is to protect the child from threats, but at the same time not to suppress independence and interest in the world around him. This also applies to the organization of space at home, where, alas, accidents also happen to children.

Safe environment for newborn babies

It is believed that the risk of serious injury increases exponentially from the moment a child begins to walk. This is true, but children's safety in the first months of life also requires attention, and the main source of threats is often located where the baby spends a significant part of the time - in the crib. We are, of course, talking about the sides and canopies that decorate the cradle.

Decorative elements for cribs increase the risk of accidental suffocation of a child - this is a fact. According to a study published in the specialized American journal Pediatrics, in 2011-2014, 250 American babies suffocated in their sleep. In 69% of cases, the cause of death was bedding.

Safe baby cot:

1. No soft sides. They pose a risk of suffocation for babies who do not yet know how to roll over and hold their heads up, so they can easily fall with their mouth or nose closed.
2. Without feather beds, large pillows, blankets and large soft toys. The reason is the same.
3. Canopies and awnings must be removed when the child begins to stand up, that is, at 4-6 months - they carry a risk of suffocation and injury.
4. From the moment the child learns to stand up, rattles should not be hung across the crib.
5. The optimal distance between the bars of the crib is 6-7 cm. This will allow the baby to safely insert an arm or leg between them without the risk of getting stuck, but will not allow the baby to stick his head through.

In fact, the simpler the children's bed in design and content, the better. In the end, we must admit that all these decorations are more needed by parents, and not by their newborn children, who are not able to appreciate the aesthetic merits.

We provide security in the apartment for toddlers

Toddler is a good English word that refers to a child who has just started walking, that is, between the ages of 1 and 3 years. The older he gets, the more he wants to make his own decisions, and prohibitions often infuriate him. Therefore, you need to act proactively and eliminate dangers in advance.

To do this, look at the space of your home from the position of a small person of stature and age without life experience - from below. Lie on the floor, walk on all fours. Everything that he can reach can become dangerous for a child, but by analyzing the main types of household childhood injuries, you can create a very specific list of potential risks.

The main sources of children's injuries at home

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This is a general list. Depending on whether it is a private house or an apartment building, gasified or not, large or small area, etc. sources of danger will vary. Eliminate them based on your circumstances.

Safety etiquette for children who are left at home alone

When a child grows up, learns the rules of household safety and begins to go to school, there comes a time when he is left at home alone - this is the norm. Threats of a different kind lurk here - sudden situations to which you need to be able to react correctly.

How to keep your child safe if he is alone at home:

• be sure to learn and additionally write down on paper the main telephone numbers of emergency services : fire protection, ambulance and police, as well as number 112, an analogue of the American number 911. To make it easier for the child to figure out when to call where, draw a visual clue next to the phone: a fire near the number 01, next to telephone 03 - a red cross, etc.;
• The child must know the telephone numbers of parents and trusted adults in order to contact them in case of danger. They can also be written down and left in a visible place at home;
• Explain to your child that calls from unknown numbers cannot be answered ;
• Teach your child not to answer the intercom, not to open the door to strangers , even if it is a familiar person, for example, a neighbor, and not to say that he is alone at home . You can learn more about the rules of behavior with strangers from this article He is a stranger, he is bad: rules of conduct for children with strangers;
• When leaving, do not leave the windows open ;
• if you live on the first floors, prohibit your child from approaching the windows if someone is knocking on them, and not talking, even if people outside ask to answer;
• sticks, lighters and other sources of open flame should not remain in sight of the child. Even the most adequate of children can succumb to a sudden desire to quietly “experiment.”

At this age, you can turn to modern technologies for child safety, especially when the child is left at home alone. Buy him a children's smart watch and/or install the “Where are my children” application on his smartphone. With this kit, you can listen to what is happening at home while you are away or when the child does not answer the phone, and the child himself will be able to send you a quick SOS signal in case of danger.

We organize the space at home according to child safety rules

Many families with children live in one-room apartments or studio apartments, and in such cases, recommendations such as “close the kitchen from children when no one is there” and “select one room and hide all the most dangerous things there” cause a puzzled grin.

What every home definitely has are windows, bathrooms and kitchen areas. We’ll talk about windows separately, but for now let’s look at how to make any home safe for a small child, regardless of the size and number of rooms.

Kitchen

This is one of the most dangerous places in the apartment, because there are household appliances, many sharp objects, household chemicals and caustic seasonings, and there is also a high risk of violating fire regulations.

Four “don’ts” that will help keep your child safe in the kitchen:

1. Keep your child away from a working stove, especially if food is being cooked or water is boiling on it.
2. Do not place dishes with hot contents on the edge of the table. Discard the tablecloth so that the child cannot pull it towards himself and drop everything on the table.
3. Do not leave dishes and cutlery, especially knives and forks, in accessible places. They must be removed immediately after eating.
4. Do not store cereals, pasta, as well as household chemicals, medicines and seasonings in the lower drawers.

To prevent a child from accidentally turning on the stove by going into the kitchen alone, you can install locks on the handles, or, if technically possible, set the child lock mode. For gas stoves, use piezo lighters.

Develop the habit of placing any utensils on the table or stove with the handles facing the wall, not the edge.

Place all small, bulk, caustic products, as well as household chemicals and medicines on the top shelves. True, one day the child will figure out to substitute a chair, climb on it and open the upper cabinets. You need to be prepared for this: install security locks on doors and drawers.

When it is impossible to exclude the child from being in the kitchen while preparing food, occupy his attention with play. For example, pour different types of pasta into a bowl and offer to sort it, or you can look for products and objects of a certain color/shape, and at the same time ask whether it is edible or not.

If your toddler sits calmly in a highchair when you're around, use it. This will limit freedom of movement and reduce the risk of an accident.

Bathroom

This place is a priori dangerous for a child - he can drown there. not be left unattended while washing. Even for 5 minutes is enough for a tragedy. As for children from 2 to 4 years old, they can reach the tap, turn on the water, play with it and cause a flood, and then slip and fall on a damp floor, so it is better to lay a rubber mat with suction cups there.

Another danger in the bathroom is the presence of household chemicals: from plumbing products to shampoos. According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, half of children’s poisonings are caused by poisoning with cleaning agents and detergents. Laundry capsules are especially dangerous because, due to their bright colors, they may appear edible to children. Most often they are swallowed by children 1-2 years old, they write in Pediatric.

In addition, the bathroom often contains electrical appliances, such as a hair dryer, electric razor, and the child can arrange for them to meet with water.

Children's safety rules in the bathroom:

• do not allow children to play with water or open taps;
• equip storage places for dangerous items that are inaccessible to children: sealed containers, high shelves, cabinets that can be locked with a key. All household chemicals, razors and electrical appliances must be removed there;
• use washing powders rather than capsules until the child is at least 6 years old;
• from an early age, teach children to sit in the bathtub on the other side of the tap, so as not to accidentally open hot water and get burned;
• Do not allow children to take a phone or tablet into the bath, especially with a charger.

Rooms, hallways and other premises

Regardless of the size and type of living space, the house always contains furniture, a certain amount of equipment and various decor, from curtains to a collection of vases. For adults, these things do not pose a danger, but a child is a completely different story.

How to create a safe space at home:

1. Remove breakable objects (flower pots, vases, figurines, framed photos, etc.), as well as any heavy objects (books, watches, paintings) from surfaces accessible to the child.
2. Stick special soft silicone pads on the corners of the furniture to help avoid bruises or abrasions upon impact.
3. Secure shelving, cabinets and other furniture that could tip over.
4. It is better to place TVs and large monitors on the wall using a bracket.
5. Cover sockets and switches with special plugs and covers.
6. Place special childproof locks on cabinet doors.
7. Do not leave electrical appliances in the public domain.
8. Various wires need to be wound or hidden in casings, cable ducts, behind furniture, and baseboards.
9. Keep chargers up high and hidden when not in use.
10. Store all the bags that you have in the house in hard-to-reach places, because children can put them on the head of themselves or another child while playing.
11. Curtains that fall to the floor should be shortened or replaced - a small child may become entangled in them and suffocate, or the curtain rod will collapse, resulting in mechanical injury.
12. Cover glass in furniture and mirrors with impact-resistant film.
13. If there are cats in the house, children will still get to the litter trays, so choose safe organic litters (wood, corn, paper), they are more difficult to poison and will not clog the toilet.
14. Keep dog leashes and harnesses out of reach.

Of course, it is impossible to provide for everything, so if possible, place very young children in the playpen or limit their movement with the help of special gate barriers that will not allow them to leave the equipped safe space.

Remember that threatening objects should look as uninteresting as possible to the child. In this case, you can be cunning and organize a controlled violation - leave a couple of bottom drawers open and keep there interesting and safe items for the child - toys, empty jars, plastic dishes. This will satisfy curiosity and distract from the search for real danger.

Another life hack that will encourage a child’s need to explore the world and protect him from everyday injuries - among all the “don’ts,” there should be at least one “do.” For example, you can’t take a blender, it’s dangerous, but you can take a wooden potato masher.

Safe behavior on the street for school-aged children

For children who already walk independently or get to school, clubs, the stadium and back, there are two types of danger:

1. the risk of injury due to one’s own carelessness;
2. the risk of being harmed by people with bad intentions.

How to avoid injuries?

Parents should always know where their son or daughter plays on the street and what route he or she takes to school and extracurricular activities. Places where you can play and the path from home to regularly visited places need to be walked several times with your child. Along the way, you need to draw his attention to possible dangers.

If possible, travel routes should be organized so as to avoid vacant lots, construction sites, and deserted places. If you have a choice, it would be preferable to slightly increase the travel time, but cross the road using an underground or traffic light-equipped crossing.

The following rules must be followed:

• You cannot play on construction sites, roofs of buildings, or on roadways;
• any explosive objects - firecrackers, fireworks, caps - can only be used under adult supervision in suitable places;
• You can only ride a bicycle in a courtyard where there are no cars, or on special bike paths in the park;
• You should not approach unfamiliar dogs, much less tease them;
• in winter, you need to wear anti-slip pads on your shoes and stay away from eaves, roofs and canopies of buildings;
• You can cross the road only at a pedestrian crossing when the traffic light is green, after making sure that there is no danger;
• Do not pick up foreign objects from the ground, especially syringes, glass, and packages.

Fresh air versus safety. How to equip windows to prevent a child from falling out?

Since 2021, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs began to keep statistics on cases of children falling out of the windows of apartment buildings. In the first half of last year alone, 644 children lost their lives and 56 died.

The problem is highly seasonal - with the onset of warm weather, the number of such incidents increases significantly. Over the past couple of weeks, you can see news about children falling out of windows in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Rostov-on-Don, Kamensk-Uralsky, Omsk, Khabarovsk...

As a rule, children 2-3 years old fall out of windows. A child at this age is an explorer; he sees an interesting world outside the window, and at the same time he has no sense of danger that could stop him. Mosquito nets won't stop either. This is not fall protection, but a flimsy illusion of it. In general, window fittings must be reliable to prevent spontaneous opening, especially in the “micro-ventilation” mode.

How to protect your child from falling out of a window:

1. Do not leave your child alone in a room where the windows are completely open and the window sills are easily accessible.
2. Remove furniture from windows that could allow a child to climb onto the windowsill.
3. Don't show your child how to open a window. The later he finds out about this, the better.
4. Do not teach your child to stand on a chair to look out the window.
5. Do not allow your child to climb onto the windowsill while playing.
6. Make the window sills boring and uninteresting, remove everything from them.
7. If your house has windows with wooden frames, when leaving the room where the child is, close the window at the top and bottom and open the window.
8. Be sure to equip metal-plastic windows with special locks, for example those that allow you to move the sash from the closed position to the “vertical ventilation” mode, but prevent it from being fully opened without a key.

Things that will help make your home safer for a small child. List and prices

The time has come to collect into a single list all the needs that were mentioned in this article. It’s up to you to decide what things you’ll need and what you can do without.

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The cost is indicated based on offers from popular marketplaces. Almost all expensive items on the list can be found cheaper on free classifieds sites or in thrift stores. They will be used, but will do the job quite well.

Important: all protective devices, for example, plugs for sockets and covers for corners, should be as unattractive as possible and blend in with the surroundings, otherwise the child will certainly want to play with it, or even taste it.

Protect yourself. We teach children the basics of safe behavior at home

From the moment of birth until about three years of age, no rules of safe behavior can be taught to a child - you need to control everything yourself. However, older children become “negotiable,” so you can begin to explain to them what is a threat to them and why . It is important to teach the child to be aware of cause-and-effect relationships and gradually develop the skill of thinking ahead about the consequences.

Thematic books and cartoons with further discussion of the plot, role-playing games in which you will work out dangerous situations and correct behavior together, as well as personal example will help teach your child safe behavior at home. Working on safe behavior skills should be done regularly, because children are restless and quickly switch to other, more interesting topics at the moment.

8 "not allowed". What a child should learn about safety at home:

1. Do not play with flammable objects and liquids - matches, lighters, aerosols, etc.
2. Do not turn the valves of the gas stove and water heater.
3. You cannot turn on the electric stove or touch other electrical appliances without an adult.
4. You cannot play with sockets.
5. You cannot open the windows yourself and sit on the windowsill near the open window.
6. You should not touch or even play with sharp objects - knives, scissors, needles, tools, etc.
7. You cannot try household chemicals and perfumes.
8. You should not open doors to strangers, especially if you are alone at home.

Emphasize that these rules apply not only to the home, they must always be followed - when visiting, at school, at camp, at grandma's in the village.

Where to start: rules for children 2–5 years old

Children from 2 to 5 years old are never alone on the street. Therefore, the only danger that awaits them is accidentally getting lost. This happens to almost everyone, even with very responsible and attentive parents. Children are so mobile and impulsive that if you let go of your little hand for a second, the baby will disappear in a matter of moments in an unknown direction.

From a very early age, the little “traveler” should know what to do if he gets lost:

1. No need to run and cry. You have to stand in the place where you discovered that your mother is no longer around.
2. Instead of or along with crying, you need to shout: “Mom, I’m here!”
3. Mom is looking for you and will definitely find you - don’t be afraid.
4. You can only leave the place where you got lost with your uncle, a policeman, he will help you find your mother.
5. Don't go with strangers, even if they say they know where your mom is.
6. Only the policeman can tell you your name and address.

The basis of the basics. Child safety reminder for parents

One of the main conditions for a child’s safety is his trust in you. He should understand why you set certain conditions, feel cared for and not be afraid to tell you about any situations. You, as the eldest, are required to think through all the safety rules and correctly convey them to the children. However, do not burden a child, especially a growing one, with unreasonable restrictions - this can make him insecure and negatively affect his future life.

What parents should do to keep their child safe at home:

1. Prevent accidents and injuries by first removing hazards and then teaching your child proper behavior.
2. Set age limits and loosen them as children get older.
3. Still maintain control over gas and electrical appliances, potentially dangerous devices and objects, even if it seems that the child has long understood everything.
4. Convey to the child that such important data as his name and address, parents’ telephone numbers, etc. He needs them for dangerous situations, so he shouldn’t share them with random people.
5. Lead by example and practice safe behavior at home.

Providing a safe environment for the child in the home where he lives is an important task for parents. On the one hand, it is necessary to prevent injuries and accidents, and on the other, to teach the child independence in this matter and not “strangle” him with control. Knowing the main sources of danger for children in the house, you can reduce the risks of domestic accidents to a minimum, including using special devices, for example, plugs for sockets and blockers for windows.

It is also necessary to explain to children what poses a threat to them and why. This is important because they do not have enough life experience. Constantly remind your children of safety rules at home, but do not intimidate them and try to build trusting relationships. Then the resistance to the established restrictions will be lower - the child will feel cared for, and not just controlled.

Consultation for parents “The safety of the child is in our hands”

Consultation for parents “The safety of the child is in our hands”

Perhaps some parents of children will think that this article is not for them. It will take many more years until the baby is old enough to walk on his own. All this is true. But it is necessary to instill responsibility in a child from an early age. The sooner you explain to your child the rules of safe behavior on the street, the more likely it is that he will not forget science and will be able to use these lessons correctly if necessary. Your task is to teach your child to behave correctly in extreme situations.

A yard without danger

Modern children begin to walk unaccompanied by their parents much later than we ourselves did during our childhood. But it’s worth preparing the baby for independent “going out” in advance. So, while walking with your baby, go around the entire yard and pay attention to the most dangerous places: hatches, basements, attics, construction sites. It’s important not to just say: “You can’t go here! Is it dangerous!" It is necessary to explain clearly why exactly it is impossible: you can fall into the hatch, someone can close the basement door, and then the child will remain there in captivity (if the baby is locked in the basement, there is no need to scream and cry, it is better to knock on the door with all your might - this will happen sooner) someone will hear and come to the rescue).

Even cars parked near the house can pose a great danger. Usually, kids clearly understand that they need to be extremely careful with moving cars. But a stationary car does not cause them concern. Tell your child that the car can suddenly move, and the driver will not notice the baby, who, playing hide and seek, hid behind the trunk. Therefore, you cannot run, much less hide around cars, and if a ball rolls under a car, you need to turn to adults for help.

Kids love to play hospital, store, or “cook” dinner for dolls on a toy stove. To do this, they tear plants growing nearby (grass, flowers, leaves, collect seeds. And this is not always used “for fun.” A child can taste the prepared “medicine” or doll “soup.” But not all plants are harmless, as it might seem For example, castor beans, which in recent years are often grown near the entrances of houses (popularly called “palm trees”), have deadly poisonous seeds. It is enough for a child to swallow 2-3 seeds to get serious poisoning. Be sure to explain to the child that no Plants, berries and seeds picked on the street cannot be taken into the mouth. And for play it is better to use harmless and familiar plants, for example dandelion, plantain, rowan.

When walking with your baby in the yard, you must be firmly sure that there are no open sewer manholes around. The statistics are merciless: hundreds of children die and are injured precisely for this reason. And here no warnings “watch your step” and “don’t step” will help. In the excitement of active play, a child may simply not notice the danger. Equipment rules

When dressing your baby for a walk, check his clothes. It would be better if it had no laces that could get caught. It is desirable that the shoes fit tightly on the foot and do not “slip”. This will make your child's games safer.

Life on the playground

It’s so good that there are playgrounds with swings in the courtyards! And how bad it is at the same time that they exist! Modern heavy iron structures have truly destructive power. And if such a swing hits a child at high speed, it could end in disaster. Danger awaits not only the tiny foolish ones who get close to the swings while their mothers are enthusiastically chatting on the bench. And older children sometimes cannot correctly assess the safe distance. Therefore, you must clearly explain to your child that you can only approach the swing from the side, and walk around it at a great distance. You need to sit down and get off only when the swing is stopped, and under no circumstances should you jump from it. Tell us what the consequences of violating these rules may be.

Merry-go-rounds can also seriously hit your baby if you don’t follow basic safety rules. Just as in the case of the swing, remind your baby often that approaching the spinning carousel is dangerous. First you need to wait for them to stop, and only then sit down on the seat. And, of course, hold on tight.

Any kid knows that ladders, horizontal bars, monkey bars, in a word, sports equipment, are very interesting and fun things. They develop agility, endurance, and coordination of movements. And mom won’t forbid you to climb and hang on them to your heart’s content. Of course, provided that the baby does all this with due care. First of all, pay attention to the surface of the playground. If it is sand, grass, sawdust, or, as a last resort, small gravel, feel free to send your baby there. If the site is concreted or paved, it is better to look for another place to play. Teach your child how to jump off a ladder or horizontal bar correctly. When a child swings on the bar, he needs to jump at the moment when the body begins to move backward. Otherwise, you can easily fall.

All kinds of slides are a favorite pastime for children. But moms and dads should pay attention to their condition before letting the baby roll away with the breeze. If the handrails or sides of the slide are wooden, then parents need to check how well the surface is treated to avoid splinters on children’s hands. For preschool children, the height of the slide should not exceed 1.2 m. Check whether the slide covering is intact and whether there are any nicks on it. From the “correct” slide, the baby rolls down without stopping to the very bottom and does not fly to the ground, but lingers on a special, raised ledge. The kid should know that slides are not a place for pampering. You need to get up and down carefully and carefully, respect the queue and under no circumstances push other children. This could result in serious injury. Of course, you don’t have to stand next to the slide and look after your baby all the time. But it is better not to let the child out of sight in order to respond in time to the dangerous behavior of children.

Roller skating or cycling are useful activities in all respects, but at the same time quite dangerous. First of all, take care of the protective equipment for little athletes. All kinds of helmets, knee pads and elbow pads are not just fashionable gadgets, but something that will protect the baby not only from broken knees and skinned hands, but also from much more serious injuries. Be sure to select a helmet for roller skating with fitting. It should sit comfortably on the head, cover the forehead, but not slide down into the eyes. Special fingerless gloves will also be useful. It is better to roller skate in specially designated areas. It’s easier with a bicycle, just be sure to teach your child to be attentive to “pedestrians” and not to develop high speed where there is a chance of hitting one of the kids. If you and a small cyclist need to cross the roadway, be sure to remove him from the bicycle and lead him across the road by the hand, driving the bicycle separately. And, of course, never let the little “racer” out of your sight.

Fighting is a common cause of serious injury in children. More often this is the lot of boys, but there are also cocky girls who are ready to “deal” with the offender with their fists. And fists are half the trouble. Often improvised objects are used: sticks, pieces of iron, stones, etc. One of the main reasons is very simple: the guys do not yet understand how seriously they can injure the enemy with these objects. The usual movie stereotype comes into play: the hero was hit on the head with a huge cobblestone, but he is not only alive, but also completely healthy. Such scenes distort our children’s understanding of the real force of impact, of pain, of how fragile and vulnerable a thing human life really is. And who else, if not mothers and fathers, should convey these simple truths to kids? If we talked to all children about the possible consequences of such fights, there would be much less childhood traumatism...

Another danger is large and small four-legged animals, not only stray ones, but also real domestic ones. We are talking not so much about dangerous diseases that animals can carry, but about dog aggression, of which children sometimes become victims. Undoubtedly, you must instill in your child love and trust for his smaller brothers, but the child must clearly know that dogs are different and not always kind. In addition, it is better not to approach unfamiliar animals at all. Tell your child not to wave your arms or a stick near the dog. She will think that they want to hit her and may bite her. You should not pet or cuddle an unfamiliar dog. She might not like it. The child must know how to behave when attacked by a dog. If there is no shelter nearby - a driveway or a tree - you should not run away, the dog will still catch up. Show your baby how to protect his face and neck by pressing his chin to his chest and covering himself with his arms bent at the elbows. And adults will definitely come to the rescue.

Beware: stranger!

Even if your child is still too young to walk without adults and you are not going to let him go out alone yet, he must clearly understand the basic rules of communicating with strangers. Most of us instill in our children that they need to be well-mannered and polite towards people, not to be rude or lie. All this is, of course, true. But it is quiet, well-mannered children who more often become victims of criminals. After all, it’s so easy to deceive them, and they themselves are accustomed to always tell adults only the truth. What to do, is it really necessary to raise a child to be a liar and a rude person? There is no need to raise a rude person, but it is simply necessary to explain to the child that among good and kind people there are sometimes bad ones. From early childhood, a child must clearly know important rules:

• Never talk to strangers or take anything from them.

• Never get into a stranger's car or go anywhere with him.

You cannot take ANYTHING from a stranger: neither candy, nor toys, nor gifts, nor anything that “needs to be given to mom.” In a situation where a child is asked to go or go somewhere with a stranger (“see a collection of Barbie dolls,” “star in a movie,” “feed the kittens,” etc.), the child should answer only one thing: “Now I’ll ask permission at your mother's." The child should also be prepared for provocation from a stranger: "I thought you were already big, but you keep asking your mother for permission!" The answer in this case should also be firm and unambiguous. Explain to the child that if anyone - grabbed him by the hand and drags him somewhere or tries to push him into a car, ABSOLUTELY all methods of self-defense are allowed. You can be rude, lie, kick, bite, scream. By the way, in such a situation you need to shout not “Help!”, but “This is not my dad (mom! My name is so-and-so, call my parents at number so-and-so!”

From a very early age, instill in your child that his body belongs only to him and no one has the right to touch the baby without his consent. Try not to cuddle or kiss your child if he doesn't want to at the moment. And never let other people do this. The baby must clearly know that no one has the right to pick him up without his mother’s permission, and if this happens, then it is quite possible to behave in a not very mannered manner: scream loudly and even kick.

Instill in your child that you will never send a stranger to pick him up from kindergarten. And if something like this happens, the baby should not go anywhere with this person, even if the stranger assures that his mother (father, grandmother, etc.) sent him. And remind me of all this more often, more often, more often! Children so easily forget everything we teach them.

I'm lost!

Any parent who has ever lost their child (even if only for a couple of minutes) is almost certainly familiar with the all-encompassing feeling of panic that chills the body and prevents them from thinking soberly. A child who suddenly discovered that mom or dad is not around is no better. He is scared. alone in a crowd of strangers. And even if you try not to let go of the baby’s hand in crowded places, situations when the child gets lost are not so rare. But, if both the parents and, most importantly, the baby clearly know how to behave in extreme situations, trouble will not happen. Let's teach our baby the correct behavior in public places so that we never have to experience these terrible moments.

At the supermarket. First of all, the baby must clearly understand that when making family purchases with mom and dad in a large store, he should not lose sight of his parents. Holding a child's hand all the time is almost impossible, because every now and then we stop at shop windows, pick up some product, and are distracted from the baby for a short time. This time is quite enough for a nimble, curious toddler to sneak away from his parents, get lost in the crowd, or linger in the toy department. Therefore, accustom your child to the idea that it is not you who are watching him, but HE is watching you. If the baby no longer fits into the shopping cart, let him hold on to it with his hand and certainly tell you that he wants to linger near this or that product. Then you just stop and wait for him. Tell your child what he should do if he suddenly doesn’t find his parents nearby. Instill in your child an important thought: you love him very much, worry about him and will never scold him, even if the baby got lost due to his own negligence, not following your rules. This will help him remember everything you taught him and do the right thing. The best thing a child can do when lost in a crowd is to stay still and wait. You can even sit on the floor. Sooner or later, mom and dad will certainly find him. The child should know that under no circumstances should he leave the store to “wait for his parents near the car.” Unfortunately, not all supermarkets have security guards who will not let a child go out alone. Tell us, or better yet, show your child the people you can turn to for help: police officers, security guards, supermarket employees, cashiers. In a word, all people are in uniform. You can trust them, they will help. The child should not go with anyone else, even if this person seems kind and good and promises to take him to his mother. If someone tries to take him away by force, let him shout loudly: “Dad! Mother!" A child who can speak well should know by heart his first and last name, home address and, it would be nice, telephone number. This information must be learned with the child and must be repeated from time to time. While kids remember their first and last names well, they often forget their address. It would not be bad, when going to crowded places with your child, to put a note in the pocket of his clothes with the name, surname, address and mobile phone numbers of the parents. Even better, engrave this data on a metal plate, attach it to a chain and fasten it inside the pocket of children's trousers so that the baby does not inadvertently lose it. Nowadays you can find special keychains on sale where all the information about the child is recorded.

At the station, at the airport. All the rules mentioned above are true here. You just need to watch your baby even more carefully, because there are much more dangers at the station than in the store. Every time you find yourself at a train station or airport when going on a trip, remind your child of the rules of behavior. Draw his attention to the fact that under no circumstances should he leave you anywhere without asking permission. If it gets lost, you can turn to police officers, security guards, and cashiers for help.

In the park, in the forest. Walking in the park is a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with the whole family. And in order for such a vacation not to turn into a complete hassle for you, from a very early age it should be an absolute taboo for your child to go too far from you. Of course, walking in the park solely hand in hand with your mother is stupid. But running away and, especially, “hiding” from her is absolutely unacceptable. The baby must know that he can only run and play where his parents can see, and they, in turn, must see him.

It is not uncommon for children to look for entertainment on their own during a family picnic in the forest, while the adults are busy making a fire or preparing barbecue. And it happens, as in that fairy tale about Masha and the Bear: tree after tree, bush after bush, so they moved quite far from the camp. It's very easy to get lost in the forest. And very scary. But if your baby clearly understands that YOU NEED TO STAY IN PLACE, you will find him very quickly. In this case, adults should split up, going on searches simultaneously in different directions, periodically calling out to the child. The baby, in turn, should also loudly call for help. It is very useful to buy your child a good whistle for walks in nature. And if he is lost in a forest or park, his whistle will be clearly audible for hundreds of meters.

If there is a pond in a park or forest, you will need additional attention. Moreover, even a very shallow depth can pose a danger to the baby. Do not allow the baby to approach the water alone, but do it together. If the shore is flat, the baby can play by the water under your constant supervision. If the bank is steep, under no circumstances let go of the child’s hand and do not come close to the edge.

Attention, road!

First of all, it is very important to always follow the traffic rules yourself. If, when walking with your child, you cross the road only when the light is green, use above-ground and underground pedestrian crossings, your child will learn from early childhood that this is what you need to do and not otherwise. If we ourselves often neglect these simple rules, all our moral teachings will be an empty phrase for the child. Children copy adults in everything, remember this. Why can’t a child cross the road in the wrong place if his mother does the same, even occasionally? It is better to be patient and wait an extra minute for the green light than to teach your child that it is acceptable to not follow the rules.

Every time you cross the road with your baby, say the algorithm. Teach your child to look carefully at the road, even if you are walking at a green traffic light. Unfortunately, there are drivers for whom the rules are not written... Explain to your child the purpose of a zebra crossing on the road, figure out what certain road signs mean. It would be great to play at home with toy cars and plush “pedestrians”, drawing traffic signs on sheets of paper and hanging traffic signs around the apartment. Any science is better remembered in the game...

Be careful when traveling on public transport and teach your child to be careful. Do not neglect the rules, no matter how simple they may seem to you. You should approach the doors of a bus, trolleybus or minibus only after the transport has come to a complete stop, otherwise you may slip and end up under the wheels. In addition, you may be pushed by one of the passengers pressing behind you. When entering a tram or bus, let your child pass first. It is better to take the smallest ones in your arms. Get out of the vehicle first, then help your baby get out, holding his hand.

An elevator is not exactly a vehicle, but like any mechanism it can pose an extreme danger. An adult always enters the elevator when it opens, followed by a child. It is better to hold the baby's hand. When leaving, it’s the other way around: the child goes first, the mother follows. Don't let your child jump in the elevator - this could cause him to get stuck.

Dear parents, remember that children's safety depends on us. The task of adults is not only to constantly look after and protect children. We simply have to teach them to take care of themselves. But this must be done competently and carefully so that the baby does not perceive the world around him as hostile, full of dangers, troubles and evil people. No, the world is beautiful and amazing, discovering it is interesting and fun. You just need to always be attentive to yourself and your loved ones. And then troubles will bypass you and your wonderful kids!