Child &Teen Safety Issues

Children are our Nation’s most precious resource, but as children, they often lack the skills to protect themselves. As parents and teachers/supporters, it is our responsibility to safeguard children and teach them the skills to be safe.  

Every home and school should teach children about safety and protection measures. As a parent, you should take an active interest in your children and listen to them. Teach your children that they can be assertive in order to protect themselves against abduction and exploitation. And most importantly, make your home a place of trust and support that fulfills your child’s needs. Together we can protect our children by teaching them to be smart, strong, and safe.

 

What are the Safety Risks to Your Child?

Facts and figures on child and teenager injuries: Children of every age, gender, and race are vulnerable.

In Vietnam, statistics from the Environmental Management Department show that each year, on average, more than 370,000 children are injured in accidents, of which the 15-19 age group accounts for the highest proportion, accounting for 43%, followed by the 5-14 age group accounts for 36.9%, and the lowest age 0-4 group accounts for 19.5%. The number of children dying from injuries is 6,600 cases a year, accounting for 35.5% of the total number of child deaths in the country from all causes. For every 100,000 children, 24 children die from an injury or the equivalent of 18 children die from an injury every day. Boys tend to have more frequent and severe injuries than girls. The mortality rate in males is three times higher than in women.

Depending on their ages, children may expose to different types/causes of injuries.

• For infants: The most common injury causes are drowning, falls, suffocation, burns, traffic accidents, and poisoning. 

• For children under 1-year-old: Common injury causes are drowning, falls, burns, traffic accidents, poisoning, and suffocation.

• For children 1 – 4 years old: drowning is still the leading cause, followed by burns, other common causes such as falls, traffic accidents, animal bites, and poisoning may also occur but the rate is not high.

• For children 5 – 9 years old: Drowning is still the leading cause, with some other common causes such as traffic accidents, trauma from sharp objects, and animal attacks. Less common causes such as suffocation falls, poisoning, lightning strikes

• For 10 – 14 years old: Drowning and traffic accidents are the 2 top causes. Other causes have a lower rate such as fighting, animal attacks, and suicide

• For 15 – 19 years old: Traffic accidents emerge as the leading cause. Other causes such as suicide, fighting, drowning 

(Source: https://bvndtp.org.vn/thuc-trang-tai-nan-thuong-tich-tre-em-bo-y-te/)

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Tips for discussing child safety

Who?

YOU!

• A parent is the best person to teach a child about personal safety.

 

What?

• Effective personal safety skills.
• Smart thinking.
• Strong character.
• Sticking together

 

When?

NOW!

Age and maturity matter.

There is no perfect age when parents should begin teaching children about personal safety.

A child’s ability to comprehend and practice safety skills is affected by age, educational, and developmental levels.

 

How?

• LISTEN to your children.
  • Know your children’s daily activities and habits.
  • Listen to what they like and what they don’t like.
  • Encourage open communication. Let your children know they can talk to you about any situation.
  • Reassure your children that their safety is your #1 concern.
• TEACH your children
  • Set boundaries about places they may go, people they may see, and things they may do.
  • Reinforce the importance of the “buddy system.”
  • It’s OK to say NO—tell your children to trust their instincts

• Get INVOLVED
  • Know where your children are at all times.
  • Your children should check in with you if there is a change in plans.
  • There is no substitute for your attention and supervision
• PRACTICE safety skills with your child.
  • Rehearse safety skills so that they become second nature.

 

Tips for Parents to Help Their Children Stay Safe Safety at Home

• Children should know their full name, home phone number and how to use the telephone. Post your contact information where your children will see it: office phone number, cell phone, pager, etc.
• Children should have a trusted adult to call if they’re scared or have an emergency.
• Choose babysitters with care. Obtain references from family, friends, and neighbors. Once you have chosen the caregiver, drop in unexpectedly to see how your children are doing. Ask your children how the experience with the caregiver was, and listen carefully to their responses.

 

Safety in the Neighborhood

• Make a list of their neighborhood boundaries with your children, choosing significant landmarks.
• Interact regularly with your neighbors. Tell your children whose homes they are allowed to visit.
• Don’t drop your children off alone at malls, movie theatres, video arcades, or parks.
• Teach your children that adults should not approach children for help or directions. Tell your children that if they are approached by an adult, they should stay alert because this may be a “trick.”
• Never leave children unattended in an automobile. Children should never hitchhike or approach a car when they don’t know and trust the driver.
• Children should never go anywhere with anyone without getting your permission first.

 

Safety at School

• Be careful when you put your child’s name on clothing, backpacks, lunch boxes or bicycle license plates. If a child’s name is visible, it may put them on a “first name” basis with an abductor.
• Walk the route to and from school with your children, pointing out landmarks and safe places to go if they’re being followed or need help. Make a map with your children showing acceptable routes to school, using main roads and avoiding shortcuts or isolated areas. If your children take a bus, visit the bus stop with them and make sure they know which bus to take.

 

The safety rules for younger children:

• KNOW my name, address, telephone number, and my parents’ names.
• I always CHECK FIRST with my parents or the person in charge. I tell them before I go anywhere or get into a car, even with someone I know.
• I always CHECK FIRST with my parents or a trusted adult before I accept anything from anyone, even from someone I know.
• I always TAKE A FRIEND with me when I go places or play outside.
• I SAY NO if someone tries to touch me or treat me in a way that makes me feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.
• OK to SAY NO, and I KNOW that there will always be someone who can help me.
• I KNOW that I can TELL my parents or a trusted adult if I feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.
• I am STRONG, SMART, and have the right to be SAFE.

 

The safety rules for older children:

• DON’T GO OUT ALONE. There is safety in numbers. This rule isn’t just for little kids, it applies to teens, too.
• ALWAYS TELL AN ADULT WHERE YOU’RE GOING. Letting someone know where you’ll be at all times is smart. If you’re faced with a risky situation or get into trouble, your family and friends will know where to find you. SAY NO IF YOU FEEL THREATENED.
• If someone—anyone—touches you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, you have the right to say no. Whether it is pressure about sex, drugs, or doing something that you know is wrong, be strong and stand your ground.

What Kids & Teens Can Do to Stay Safe

School and after-school tips for younger children:

• Always TAKE A FRIEND when walking or riding your bike to and from school. Stay with a group while waiting at the bus stop. It’s safer and more fun to be with your friends.
• If anyone bothers you while going to or from school, get away from that person, and TELL a trusted adult like your parents or teacher.
• If an adult approaches you for help or directions, remember grownups needing help should not ask children for help; they should ask other adults.
• If someone you don’t know or feel comfortable with offers you a ride, say NO.
• If someone follows you, get away from him or her as quickly as you can. Always be sure to TELL your parents or a trusted adult what happened.
• If someone tries to take you somewhere, quickly get away and yell, “This person is trying to take me away!” or “This person is not my father (mother)!”
• If you want to change your plans after school, always CHECK FIRST with your parents. Never play in parks, malls, or video arcades by yourself.
• If you go home alone after school, check to see that everything is okay before you go in. Once inside, call your parents to let them know that you are okay. Make sure you follow your “Home Alone” tips.
• Trust your feelings. If someone makes you feel scared or uncomfortable, get away as fast as you can and TELL a trusted adult.

 

Home Alone Tips for Teens:

• Check out the house before entering.
• Go to a safe place to call for help if something doesn’t seem right.
• Lock the door.
• Call your mom or dad when you get home to let them know you’re safe.
• Never tell callers that your parents aren’t home. Instead, say that he or she can’t come to the phone and offer to take a message.
• Don’t open the door for or talk to anyone who comes to your home unless that person is a trusted family friend or relative and your mom or dad has said it is okay.

 

What Parents Should Do In An Emergency

Precautionary Measures: Necessary Materials:

• Keep a complete description of your child.
• Take color photographs of your child every six months.
• Keep copies of your child’s fingerprints.
• Keep a sample of your child’s DNA.
• Know where your child’s medical records are located.
• Have your dentist prepare and maintain dental charts for your child.

 

(Refer to the Safety Skills Training Course for Teenagers: HERE)