Parent's Memo for the Summer Period

Whether a child knows how to behave and understands safety rules is what needs to be discussed first. Psychologists say that even adults need to revisit the topic every six months to keep it fresh in their minds. Here is a memo for the summer holidays with topics to pay attention to.

AT HOME

1) A primary school-aged child should know their home address and phone number. Teach them how to use a mobile phone so they can call emergency services and you at work if necessary. Tape a piece of paper with all the necessary numbers near the phone. Explain to the child the circumstances under which they can be used.

2) Explain to them that in case of a fire, they must run outside and call for help, and under no circumstances should they hide.

3) Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.

4) Do not allow your child to use gas and electric appliances on their own or to light stoves.

5) If possible, entrust older children with supervising younger ones.

6) Under no pretext should young children be left unattended.

7) Give your child some task or errand, in short, keep them occupied so that they are engaged in a useful and interesting activity in your absence.

VILLAGE OR COUNTRY HOUSE

1) When sending children to the village or to a country house, remind them again about the basic safety rules. After all, playing with matches in attics, haylofts, sheds, and setting fire to dry grass or poplar fluff is a rather frequent "entertainment" for preschool and primary school-aged children.

2) If you are undertaking long-term construction or repairs at the country house, fence off dangerous areas. Store tools and materials in places inaccessible to children, taking them out as needed. Explain to the little ones that playing on a construction site or in areas where repairs are being carried out is unsafe.

3) A village or a dacha is not only a place for relaxation but also for garden and vegetable patch maintenance. If you have treated vegetables with chemicals, be sure to secure the area with some kind of fencing and clearly explain to the child that entering is strictly forbidden, especially picking and tasting anything. Store medicines and chemicals, necessary for both the garden/vegetable patch and household needs, in places inaccessible to children.

4) Ensure that there are no poisonous plants on the property. If there is a forest nearby, show and tell the child which plants and berries should not be touched, let alone eaten.

5) While doing household chores, do not forget that a child should not be left to their own devices – you must know where they are and who they are playing with. For young children, there is only one piece of advice: do not leave them unattended, even for a few minutes.

WATER BODIES

Water bodies, such as ponds and lakes, bring a lot of disappointment and misfortune. Do not let a child swim alone; always monitor the situation. Do not allow swimming for more than 10 minutes, diving in unfamiliar places, or fooling around in the water.

STRANGERS

The main thing here is to teach children not to interact with strangers. Ask your child what they would do if they were suddenly left home alone and someone rang the doorbell. Whether they would say that mom is not home or open the door to a stranger – it is important to know and understand this in advance. Teach them that it is better to ask "Who's there?" and then say "Dad is sleeping." Or to immediately call their parents and say that someone is ringing the doorbell.

HOMELESS ANIMALS

In the summer, children spend most of their time playing outdoors. But what should a child do if a stray dog approaches them, starts growling and barking? Explain that they should not run away, wave their hands, or make other sudden movements, stare into the animal's eyes, or panic. The best option is to stand still, give a command like "shoo!" or "sit!", and then slowly move towards shelter.

TRAFFIC RULES

In addition, remind your child daily about traffic rules. This is not only about how and where to cross the road, but also about the rules for cyclists, as cycling is one of children's favorite summer activities. By the way, children under 14 are strictly forbidden to ride on roads and streets. This also applies to courtyards where cars drive. Those who are not yet fourteen can ride on bike paths and areas closed to cars.

CONCLUSION

Of course, it is impossible to foresee all situations and give advice for all occasions. But you can and should teach your child to be careful. And no one can do this better than parents. Attention, love, and care are the best ways to protect your child from potential trouble. And remember: a child always looks up to you. Therefore, let your example of following safety rules teach them and give them a healthy, happy, and safe childhood.

Inspector of the Special Fire and Rescue Unit of the Miory District Department for Emergency Situations O.M. Girzhda