Making certain that your child's safety in the neighbourhood is a priority is now more imperative than ever. With remote work becoming the norm post-pandemic, many families are relocating to new communities, indulging in travel, or investing in holiday homes. This shift in society is further propelled by a desire for a more upscale lifestyle, rising disposable incomes, and increasing urbanisation. This simply means your children will explore unfamiliar environments more frequently. These changes, in addition to rising crime rates, demand that parents and caregivers take vigilant safety measures to protect their children. It is important to understand the risks involved and implement appropriate steps to ensure the children’s safety in the neighbourhood as families settle into new surroundings, welcome newer or temporary residents, and accept a more mobile lifestyle. Embracing a few practical yet simple steps will help keep your children safe and lend you peace of mind.
Familiarise Children with the Neighbourhood
Get your children acquainted with their surroundings in the neighbourhood by taking them on regular walks, identifying any unsafe areas they need to avoid, and familiarising them with safe places they can go to in case of emergency. Introduce your children to neighbours who can be trusted in an emergency. Set clear boundaries with your children on how far they can venture out and that they adhere to these guidelines. Discuss safety rules with your children that they need to follow diligently, including areas they are allowed to visit, curfews, and people they can interact with.
This proactive approach helps children feel confident and more secure in their surroundings. If your child has older siblings or a trusted friend, help them employ a buddy system when stepping out into the neighbourhood.
Buddy System for the Win
An age-old effective way to improve your child’s safety is to put a buddy system in place. This strategy requires the child to pair up with their sibling or a trusted friend when walking past or playing around the neighbourhood. Help your child understand the importance of a buddy system and that they must watch out for each other to avoid any harm. Help your child choose the right buddy and identify safe places for them in the neighbourhood to seek help in case of emergency, such as a trusted local shop or neighbour’s house. Children who end up wandering by themselves are more susceptible to getting injured or lost with no help, or they may even end up encountering people with ill intentions. Employing the buddy system whenever your child ventures outdoors creates a sense of accountability and mutual protection. Be sure to check in with your children and their buddies regularly and make sure that they understand the importance of the system.
If age-appropriate, equip your child with a means of communication such as a mobile phone or a walkie-talkie.
Assistive Technology Solutions as an added Layer of Security
In fact, a better approach to this would be to deploy assistive technology solutions that cater to such safety requirements. Several technological solutions are available in the market that allow you to monitor your loved ones seamlessly. These solutions provide real-time updates with geo-fence alerts in the event of an emergency. The market boasts innovations like a safety pendant that can be worn on a lanyard or clipped onto your child’s clothes or bag. Such solutions are equipped with an SOS alarm, a fall-down alarm, and two-way calling and are also waterproof, so your child can explore their surroundings without any worries. Some of these solutions do not require any phones or additional hardware, making them a great option for your kids. Downloading an assistive technology app on their digital watches could also help with monitoring their activities and whereabouts. These apps also provide real-time safety alerts in the instances of emergencies.
The peace of mind that comes from knowing your child is safe is immeasurable. Be sure to employ a combination of conventional methods and modern technology to create a secure and enjoyable environment for your children.
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