The only thing scary about October should be how much candy your kids eat. You don't need to freak out about safety. Just start talking. Here are some tried and true starter tips:
1. Map it out! Talk to your kids about the houses in your neighborhood they can go to if they need help. Trick or treat time is around the corner for many kids, so now is a perfect time to do that.
2. Buddy up! Remind your kids that using the buddy system is always best for both kids and grown ups.
3. Do not enter! Remind kids to always check first before going into anyone's home ... even if they know them.
4. Uh-Oh feelings are not just for Halloween! Talk to your kids about listing to their "gut" and talking to an adult when they get the "uh-oh" feeling.
Remember to make talking about personal safety a fun thing. Never use scare tactics. Keep it simple! Safety talks should be about 20 SECONDS! The more short talks about safety the more your kids learn about listening to their instincts and how to make safe choices.
While these tips will get you through Halloween, this also seems like a great time to mention Kim's "Super 10" Rules for Safety. You can read them on her website by clicking here.
In addition Kim is hosting an upcoming webcast: 5 Tips Parents Must Know To Keep Their Kids Safe From Predators. It's scheduled for October 29, 2012 at 9PM PST but can also be viewed at a later time. Register HERE.
About the Author: Kim Estes is the owner of Savvy Parents Safe Kids and has worked with parents for over 15 years, educating them on various parenting topics. As a Child Safety Expert, Kim has appeared on local and national TV and Radio shows, helping to raise awareness on the importance of prevention education. For more information about her work or to schedule a workshops go to: www.SavvyParentsSafeKids.com