Dual-income families are stretched for time, and parents depend on strict daily routines to ensure their lives run smoothly. But what if your routine is disrupted when something goes horribly wrong? Have you thought about teaching kids about emergencies?
Teaching kids about emergencies is simple. Teaching them easy lessons such as how to call for help and what to do if someone at home has an emergency could help save lives!
Teaching kids about emergencies:
1. Never too soon
Don’t underestimate your child’s learning ability. Your child is fully capable of learning about safety and handling emergencies from the moment they can walk; we’ve seen babies as early as 17 months learn how to read.
2. Recognizing emergencies
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Discuss possible emergency scenarios with your child, and run them through what to do in case one actually happens. Teaching your child to recognize when something is wrong is especially important if you have family members suffering from chronic and long-term ailments such as asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure.
3. Keep within reach of children
Your medicine bottles will always carry a note of caution for the opposite, and we are not going to dispute their warning. Just as you know what medicine to administer when your child falls sick, you need to let your child know about the medication that’s important to you, particularly if you or your partner is taking a particular medicine regularly (blood pressure pills, Ventolin inhalers, etc.).
Be open with your child during times when you take your medicine, and take some time to explain what the medication does, taking care to ensure your child understands medication is not a toy or candy. In case of emergency, your child will be in a better position to help you get what you need.
4. Calling for help
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Emergency numbers like 911 are designed to be easy to remember, so your child can quickly call for help. To make sure your child doesn’t misuse the number, explain seriously that calling emergency services is a responsibility, not a game.
Also, remind your child that the phone isn’t the only way to get help—they can also call out loud to get attention from neighbors or people nearby.
5. Learning life-saving maneuvers
If you want to teach your child life-saving skills, start by explaining how blood circulation and breathing are vital for the body to function. Understanding how the heart works will help your child learn how to perform CPR and what to do in choking situations.
In the Philippines, the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) offers programs and workshops for kids and families to learn first aid, CPR, and fire safety. You can also join community courses organized by the PNRC or local government units to further support your child’s learning in emergency preparedness.
6. Avoid blood
Exposed blood could lead to infection, and the last thing you want is your child to unknowingly risk his or her own life in a bid to save another’s. Make sure your child knows not to touch any exposed wounds or blood whilst waiting for help. However, in such situations, your child’s voice may still be the most assuring to the victim, so have your child learn to stay near the person and keep talking until help arrives.
7. Don’t move
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When dealing with someone who is unconscious, it is vital that your child know not to move the person to avoid causing further damage to existing injuries the victim may have. However, you should also go through some examples of life-threatening situations where your child should try to move someone to save his life.
Got more tips on teaching kids about emergencies? Share them with us by leaving a comment below!
Originally published on theAsianparent Singapore