Teach your children what to do in an emergency
Teach your children to recognise emergency situations so that they can call for help.
The last thing anyone wants to think about is having our children face danger without us being around to protect them.
Unfortunately, sometimes such scenarios do not play out as we would like and for this reason, it is vital for all children to know how to call for help when they need it.
Seven Arrows Security offers some tips on teaching your children to react to danger.
“First things first is to teach your children what constitutes as an emergency,” said Jason Mordecai, managing director for the company.
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Explaining the different emergency scenarios is something that helps children identify what constitutes as an emergency, such as medical, fire, stranger danger and so on.
“Talk to your children about situations that may need emergency help and who they should report each situation too,” he added.
It is important for children to understand who will be responding and why they need these people to come and help.
Once a child can recognise that they are in danger and are able to trust that someone other than a parent is needed they can then call for help and be confident aid will come.
“In many of our homes a panic button is available and therefore teaching your children to press such a device can be a life-saving lesson,” said Mordecai.
“The benefit of a panic button means young children who don’t yet know their address can be taught to press a linked panic button and have a signal received by a security company knowing exactly where they are without having to tell them this verbally.”
Many may ask at what age should a child be taught this and the answer would depend on the child in particular, once your children are old enough to be able to dial and use a phone, as well as old and mature enough to understand why they would be reaching out, this would be a good time to start teaching them who to call and what to do in case of an emergency situation.
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Tips on how to go about teaching your children to call for help:
1. As above, explain why they would need to reach out.
2. Show them how – Take your child through the process and show them where panic buttons are in your home and how to dial emergency services on your phones.
3. Practice – Show your child the steps to press a panic button and dial on your phone for emergency services as many times as it takes until they know and remember the steps without you showing them.
“Teach your children who your security company is, wave at patrolling officers driving by and let your children become familiar with these officers and what they can do to help protect you and your neighbourhood from danger,” added Mordecai.
“Finally, teach your children to be vigilant and to trust their instincts, if you see it, say it.”
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