SAFETY

FAMILY SAFETY

In This Section

• Teen Driving Observations from Chick Pritchard, retired Police Officer
• Teen Driving Studies published in Pediatrics
• Babysitting Basics for Teens
• Hiring a Babysitter
• Aging and Safety
• Summer Fun
• Childcare and Parenting

Teen Driving Observations from Chick Pritchard, retired Police Officer

I am Chick Pritchard, a retired police officer who has had teenagers die in my arms as the result of horrible collisions and poor decision making. If there is a teenager in your life please review your behavior and attitudes towards their driving, especially now as we head into the winter months.

Please, let’s not take our kids, or their driving, for granted. Kids need to know that we are watching out for them. We do this best by being highly supportive of them, establishing clear rules regarding their driving, and monitoring them closely. When it comes to our kids driving, we need to be good parents, not good buddies.

Teen Driving Studies published in Pediatrics

Download studies at end of article

Parents who actively set rules and boundaries, and follow up on these, have the safest teenaged drivers. Teenagers who say their parents are very aware of their driving and monitor it, cut their risk of drinking and driving by 70%, are half as likely to speed and 30% less likely to use a cell phone while driving. The study indicates that teenagers who actually have to ask permission for the car, and don’t have their own keys, are half as likely to get into a crash.

In 2008, 4,400 teenagers died in car accidents. Car accidents are the leading cause of death for young people between 16-20 years old.  The very important message of this paper is that the parents who are most effective in curbing bad driving habits are those that enforce strict rules, but in a kind way.  The study indicates that highly supportive parents, who make few rules for their teen drivers, and who trust them rather than monitor and hold them accountable, actually are not effective at all in curbing teen driving accidents and deaths.

Resource Library:

Babysitting Basics for Teens

Babysitting Basics for Teens
Being a babysitter is all about responsibility. As long as you're on the job, you're in charge. Not only do you have to make sure the kids are happy, you have to make sure they're safe and that their needs are taken care of.

Hiring a Babysitter

Hiring a Babysitter
Entrusting someone to care for your child can be difficult. Finding a qualified babysitter requires time and effort, but your reward is assurance that your child is in capable hands.

Aging and Safety

Home Safety Tips
This valuable checklist evaluates possible hazards in the home. People of all ages will benefit from evaluating their homes using this comprehensive checklist.

When to Stop Driving
We want to continue driving as long as we can do so safely. However, for many of us the time may come when we must limit or stop driving, either temporarily or permanently. AARP has this advice to assist you in evaluating your own ability, or that of someone you care about.

Seven Deadly Scams: AARP Warns of Con Artist Frauds
AARP is offering a new free brochure listing seven common frauds and scams, providing tips to consumers on how they can avoid becoming a victim of fraud. These scams are not specific to the elderly – everyone can benefit from this information.

Nursing Home Safety Checklist
Your loved ones deserve the best. Use this checklist to evaluate the quality of a nursing home facility.

Summer Fun

Summer Safety Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics
A reliable source of safety information for you and your children.

Fun in the Sun
Sunburn in childhood is directly linked to increased risk of skin cancer later in life. Here are some guidelines to enjoy the sun and outdoor activities without putting your children and yourself at risk.

Heat Stress in Exercising Children
As the temperature increases, the intensity and duration of activity should decrease, and the intake of fluids increased and monitored.

Pool Safety
Childproof your pool with the proper fencing and ensure child safety with hands-on adult supervision.

Bug Safety
Avoid bright colors and flowery prints that attract insects. Check insect repellants for the active ingredient, DEET, and avoid using any repellants on infants under two months old.

Playground Safety
Reduce injuries and tears with proper installation and maintenance of playground equipment including at least 9 inches of loose-fill material to cushion falls. Home trampolines  are never a good idea.

Skateboard and Scooter Safety
Keeping away from traffic and wearing protective equipment are the key safety elements when riding skateboards and scooter.

Lawn Mower Safety
Older children and adolescents under 18 cutting lawns as chores or as a way to earn money account for more than 9,000 injuries yearly caused by power mowers.

Childcare and Parenting

Parents of every economic status face the same concerns when it comes to their children. How can we give them the best – the best care, the best education, the best chance to succeed in an ever-changing world? The following sites provide some information to help parents succeed, too.
 
Choosing Safe and Healthy Childcare
How do you know if you’re picking the best daycare facility for your child? ChildCareAware has published research-based guidelines to help you evaluate the care and environment you’re considering.

Early Childhood: Success by 6
United Way Success By 6® is the nation’s largest network of early childhood coalitions, focused on improving school readiness through community change.

Families and Work Institute (FWI)
FWI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization that studies the changing workforce, the changing workplace, the changing family and the changing community.

Born Learning
Everyday life is a learning experience for children. Born Learning is a public engagement campaign that helps parents, grandparents and caregivers explore ways to turn everyday moments into fun learning opportunities. This site is sponsored by Civitas.

Positive Parenting
Raising children is one of the toughest and most fulfilling jobs in the world - and the one for which you may feel the least prepared. Here are nine ways to tackle child-rearing responsibilities that can help you feel more fulfilled as a parent - and enjoy your child more, too.