Safety

It is important to talk to your child about their personal safety.

• Teach your child to recognise what might be an unsafe situation by helping them to understand dangers and by assisting them in making safe choices.
• Help to build your childs confidence and self-esteem and develop their social skills, all of which may contribute to their ability to assess risks for themselves and to help keep them safer.
• Ensure that your child knows why it is important for you to know where they are going, who they are going with, what they are planning to do and when they are expected back.
• If your child is at primary school, ensure alternative arrangements for collection of your child are notified in writing to the school.
• Encourage good communication. Be available to listen to your childs fears and worries. Ask your child to tell you if anything has happened that is unusual or frightening. Let your child know that they will be listened to and taken seriously.
• Encourage their independence by giving your child lots of opportunities to try new things for themselves and help them to build their confidence. Let your child know that you believe in their abilities and praise their efforts if you believe in them they are more likely to believe in themselves.
• Make sure that your child knows what to do if they are in an uncomfortable situation where they feel threatened or frightened i.e. to go to a public place with lots of people around, and how to contact you.
• Ensure that your child understands what is acceptable use of the internet and how to keep safe while online.
• Monitor certificates on films or computer games.