We at MyBizLife take child safety and awareness VERY seriously, which is why we offer the following child safety tips:

Trust your instincts - Kids should be cautious of people and situations that they recognize to be dangerous due to warning signs they have been taught to recognize, or as result of their intuition. Children need to trust their instincts. When they get a feeling that something is wrong, it usually is. When in doubt, get out.


Communication – Communicate openly with your child by really listening to them. Never close the door of communication by being overly excited with what your child disclosed to you. Remember, the fastest way to close the door of communication with your child is to make them fearful to tell you anything. Maintaining good child / parent communication requires love, attentiveness, and time.



Good touch / Bad touch - Teach your child that their body belongs to them and that no one has a right to touch them inappropriately. Children need to be empowered to stop anyone from touching them, even friends and family members. They should know to tell you right away if someone makes them feel uncomfortable in any way, no matter who it might be. Make sure they know that this includes friends, neighbors and family members. Empower them with the right to say “no”.



The Internet - While the Internet can be both a learning, entertainment, and communication tool, it also can be very dangerous if not used responsibly. Children should treat the Internet the same as they would a telephone, book store, or a video/movie. They are not allowed to talk to strangers or those they have not been given permission to talk to on the phone, nor allowed to read offensive material, or watch pornographic or violent movies, so none these things should be done on the Internet. If your not acquainted with the Internet, take the time to learn now, it’s here to stay and awareness is the best defense. Molesters can pose as baseball card enthusiasts or doll collectors.



Learn Basic self defense – Not only is it fun, your child will learn self-defense, discipline, and gain more confidence and self-esteem.
 

Educate yourself - You need to learn the common lures used by predators and what protective counter measures your child can take to defend against these lures. A pedophile who had been responsible for the molestation of hundreds of children once confessed that it’s what parents don’t know, that makes their children an easy target. A lure is usually a con perpetrated by the predator to gain the confidence of the intended victim, or as a means to get the targeted victim to do something or to go someplace. These lures are near impossible to defend against if you don’t know that they are.



Give your children power - Give children permission to say “no” to adults. Let kids know this is okay. Treat everyone as a stranger unless given permission to talk or go with them. Most abductions are by someone the child knows.



No shortcuts - Let children know not to take shortcuts home where they could be abducted with no witness. Know where your children are at all times.



Important information - Children should memorize their complete name, address, and phone number. Teach then how to dial and use 911, ‘0’ for operator and how to make a collect call in case of an emergency. Also keep a record of your child’s fingerprints, medical record, DNA, and photos. Update these records every year.



When lost - Let children know where to go if lost. If in a store, look for people who work there, a policeman, security guard, or a mother with kids.



Check it out - You can never know enough about your child’s teachers, baby-sitters, and coaches. Keep a current list of their friend’s address and phone numbers. As a parent the more you know, the better you’ll feel.



Code word - Have a secret word that everyone must know before your child talks to them or gets near their car. This way if you are unable to pick up your child or you are hurt that person has the confidential code.



Cherish your children - Abductors look for loners and sad kids at school and in the playground. Treat your children with respect – love your children totally, and really listen to them, you’ll learn a lot about how they feel.



No personalized clothing - Children who wear personalized clothing give the potential abductors an immediate way to start a conversation. Don’t buy or let them wear such clothing. Unless it is for medical reasons, no names on anything.