Last week, we discussed important safety information for your home. This week, we’re going to discuss safety out of the house. Many of the items we’ll discuss here are obvious; nonetheless, they bear repeating. As with last week’s article, please read carefully and take it seriously.
- Do any of your children have allergies? Make sure they have a bracelet, yarmulke, or something else that clearly identifies their allergy. If they need an EpiPen (or a junior), make sure they have one with them. If your child doesn’t have allergies, b’H, be sensitive to others. When you’re walking in a public place (like a supermarket), don’t let your child run around eating peanuts. Cross-contamination is a scary thing.
- I’ve written a few articles regarding the importance of vaccinations. I’ve been urged to retract, have had emails written about me, and I’ve even received some threatening letters. The thing is that I know information about vaccines, information that I can’t share publicly, that made my decision crystal-clear. Please vaccinate your children. If your unvaccinated child comes in contact with a very young child who can’t be vaccinated yet or one who is unable to be vaccinated, it can have devastating results.
- There is a mitzvah to teach your children to swim. However, I know of quite a few families with multiple children who have no clue how to tread water. Even if you don’t have a pool, there are plenty of places your children can learn. If you do have a pool, there are a lot of safety issues you need to keep in mind. Yes, it can happen to you. There are safeguards to implement, such as alarms that will go off if anything touches the water and others that will warn you if the pool gate is opened.
- Car seats are such a pain to install. Let’s face it — it’s usually the mothers who are frantically taking them in and out, and it’s often freezing or raining when it’s happening. How many mothers need to remove two car seats for carpool, and then they need to reinstall them the next morning? As someone who has done his fair share of putting them in, I can commiserate. If you’re leaving the car seat in your car indefinitely, there are local agencies that will assist in making sure the car seat is installed properly. If you need to keep moving it, please take a few minutes to learn how to make sure it is installed correctly. All it takes is one accident. I hate sounding so depressing, but did you know that the five-point harness can choke a child, chas v’shalom, if it’s not in the correct position? How about that long strap that one mother cut off because it was always dragging around? Yes, the one that connects to the back of the seat to keep it secured. Please don’t take this lightly.
- There is a poison that many people are aware of but don’t acknowledge how powerful it is. It’s called alcohol. Some parents give their children a few sips of wine at Kiddush, and it’s just enough to whet their appetites. As they grow older, they begin to experiment at the Kiddush in shul or at a simcha. All of a sudden, your little tatteleh begins to change. Mood swings, behavioral issues, problems in school. Any or all of the above can be a warning sign. Please talk to your older children about the dangers of alcohol.
- I’ve never fully understood this, but there’s something liberating about walking on the street instead of the sidewalk on Shabbos. It’s really not a great idea, and it’s frustrating to the non-Jews who are driving. Many cars are very quiet now, so you won’t notice them until they’re right behind you. In any case, try staying on the sidewalk whenever possible. Also, at night it becomes very hard to see people walking. Dark-colored suits make it even more challenging to be seen. Many communities now offer free reflective strips, and you should avail yourself of them. Even if you need to buy a few, it’s a very worthwhile investment.
- Many parents have begun giving their children watches or other items that contain GPS trackers. There are many benefits to modern technology, and it seems that this is one of them. It seems a bit unnecessary in most cases, and it might be a distraction in school. However, if your child has a very long bus ride or has certain special needs, it might be worth it.
- With the advent of cellphones, many children learned how to push a button or ask Siri in order to call their parents. I know many boys who are already in third grade who don’t know their parents’ phone numbers or even their home address. Make sure that all of your children memorize these important pieces of information.
- Many years ago, crossing the street was something that was taught. I’ve noticed that kids lost their fear of the road. When driving down Central Avenue, I’ll see a gaggle of third-graders run across the road, completely oblivious to the fact that there are cars approaching. Please make sure your children know to cross at a crosswalk or a light. A good rule is that if you have to run to make it across, it’s not worth it.
- Last, but certainly not least — school buses. Many states have a law requiring cars to stop when the red lights of the school bus are flashing. Inexplicably, children now run in front of the bus without even looking. Please ensure that your children wait a second to make sure that no cars are impatiently driving around the bus. If you’re in the car following a bus that is stopping every block to pick up or let off more children, take a deep breath. Pretend your child is on the bus. Don’t do something you might regret for the rest of your life.
The last installment of safety tips, called “Online Safety,” will be posted next week, iy’H. Thank you for all your wonderful ideas and feedback. I apologize that I haven’t been allowing comments on the blog; I need to come up with a better way of approving them as it’s currently extremely time-consuming.
Rabbi Yitzie Ross is a well-known rebbe and parenting adviser. To sign up for the weekly emails and read the comments, visit YidParenting.com.
