July 2007

Personal Safety: Keeping Your Children Safe

Over the past few months, we have heard about several children being abducted from their families. Below are some tips parents can take to keep their children safe.

• The key is communication. It is important to talk openly with your children about all safety issues, including what to do in a potential abduction situation.
• Talk to your children about the rules pertaining to strangers.
• Know the common predator lures: pretending to look for a lost pet; asking the child for directions; giving or promising candy and/or money if the child will go to their car; and threatening to hurt family members if the child does not comply.
• Never label clothing, backpacks or other personal items such as jewelry with your child's name.
• Give your children instructions on what to do if they get separated from you in a mall, supermarket or any other public place.
• Make sure that your child knows his or her full name, address and phone number and the phone number for the place where you work or how to contact you. They also need to know how to dial 911, make collect calls, and dial the operator on a pay phone.
• Know where your children are at all times, and keep a list of their friend's names, addresses and phone numbers and remember to update your children's records, including a new photo every 6-12 months.
• Trust your own instincts — if you don't feel good about a person, keep your child away from that person.
• Practice, practice, practice: Going over this information once with your children is not enough!
• If your child is missing, try not to panic.

This information was found on http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16659486/ 

For more information, visit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.missingkids.com

Current Topic: Fireworks Safety

This time each year, we hear about tragic accidents involving fireworks. While we recognize that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has outlawed consumer fireworks, not all of our neighboring states have done so. Therefore, below is a list of fireworks safety tips from the National Council on Fireworks Safety (www.fireworksafety.com).

• Always read and follow label directions.
• Have an adult present.
• Buy from reliable sellers.
• Use outdoors only.
• Always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket).
• Never experiment or make your own fireworks.
• Light only one firework at a time.
• Never re-light a "dud" firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water).
• Never give fireworks to small children.
• If necessary, store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
• Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water and then disposing of them in your trash can.
• Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
• Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
• The shooter should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework.
• Stay away from illegal explosives.

If you would like to know what your state allows, visit www.fireworksafety.com/laws.htm