How to sensitise children on home safety from an early age

While adults are at risk, have we ever wondered how safe are our children? Crimes against children in India have only increased by more than 500 per cent between 2006 to 2016, as per an analysis done by Child Rights and You (CRY). More than 50 per cent of crimes against children were recorded in just five states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and West Bengal, during the same period.

With working parents being the norm today, leaving children at home, especially during vacations or otherwise may present its own risks and hazards. Letting children outside homes is unavoidable but it is equally stressful when they are out just by themselves. Instilling a sense of safety among kids and creating a safe home environment, needs to be prioritised. This can be done by following few simple practices:

Catching kids early

The adage ‘Train a child in the way that he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it’ remains true for home safety too. The younger you start to train your child about home and personal security, the easier it will be to insulate him / her from harm. Starting early is critical as a child’s brain is more receptive to learning during the first five years of their life and tends to stay with them throughout their life.

Home safety drills

Teaching children basic safety concepts makes them more aware of their surroundings. It also helps them learn how they can be responsible for their own safety. Every child should be taught and trained in home emergency drills; for instance, what to do if a stranger is in the house or who to call in an emergency.

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Safety outside the home

Even as attention is paid to securing the home front, parents should also teach safety tips to be followed while they are on their own outside. Helping children memorise their phone number and full address including PIN code, crossing roads safely, not talking to strangers, never going anywhere with a stranger, never sharing personal information with strangers, differentiating between a good touch and a bad touch, etc, are small steps which can go a long way in improving the safety of children.

Use technology for home safety

Safety consciousness needs to be backed by comprehensive efforts to convert homes into citadels of safety especially if there are toddlers or infants around. Using the latest safety gadgets like smart and digital locks, video doorbells, smart locks, motion sensors, etc, can go a long way in creating the infrastructure needed to protect your children at home.

Childproof your home

Household injuries are one of the top reasons for which infants and toddlers require medical attention. While it may not be possible to completely childproof your home, it’s always smart to be prepared for the worst. Installing safety latches on cabinets and drawers, covering unused electrical outlets with outlet protectors or safety caps, putting shower/bath mats to prevent falls and injury, installing door closers and anti-scalding devices on faucets and shower heads, unplugging hair dryers and electric rollers after use to prevent electrocution, keeping knives and other sharp objects out of children’s reach, etc. are critical to maintaining a safe home environment.

Age-appropriate learning

Parents should always remember that each child has his / her own learning curve. As they grow, young ones will absorb what’s being taught at their own pace which can differ from child to child. This means parents will have to be patient and use different methods to train and develop their children.

While there is no such thing as being too secure, one should always remember that the art of securing our homes is a delicate balancing act. The efforts should provide a sense of safety and comfort while at the same time, it should not impede our daily activities.

(The writer is Executive Vice President and Business Head, Godrej Locks.)