There are many concerns for parents that are looking for ways to keep their children safe. Kidnapping, pedophiles, internet web sites, drunk drivers, drowning, and fire accidents are just some of the safety concerns parents face for their elementary-aged children. Since you can't be with your child every second of the day, you need to teach them about safety so they can understand how to protect themselves.

One of the best ways to teach your child about being safe is to take them around the house and point out things that are dangerous. Talk to them about the oven and sharp objects like knives and scissors. Teach them about fire and what to do if there is a fire in the home. Practice doing safety drills with your children, create stations outside where you will all meet up if the house catches on fire. Teach them how to stop, drop, and roll if they catch on fire. You should also talk to them about the different fires, such as a grease fire and a wood fire and where they can find a fire extinguisher in the home. Discuss what you do if there is a tornado, earthquake, hurricane, or severe storm. Drive around your town and point out the safety signs.

You should always have a first aid kit in the home and you need to show your children where it is. Teach them how to bandage a wound and wrap an arm or leg if they are injured. You should also have emergency numbers clearly posted in the home so your children know who to call in case of an emergency.

One of the scariest things for parents is finding out that their child has been kidnapped. Each year around 300 children are kidnapped and 150 of them are murdered. Kidnappers take children from the playground, out of their homes, or even on their way home from school. Several parents will not allow their children to ride their bikes unless they are outside with them. Most kidnappings are family-related and the child is taken by their mother or father or a close relative. There are cases where the child is actually taken by an intruder and held for ransom. Parents can take safety precautions to protect their children from kidnappers. You should tell your kids to check-in with you if they are going to play at a friend's house. Have them call you when they get there or offer to walk them to their friend's house. You do not want your child walking the streets alone, even if it is in broad daylight. If your child walks home from school, make sure they walk in a group. There is safety in numbers and children should never walk home alone.

You also need to know who they are with. Know who the parents of the other children are and talk to them about your child's safety and their child's safety. You may be able to form a group of parents that can take turns picking up the children from school or walking to and from school with them. If your children ride the bus, walk them to the bus stop and wait until the bus arrives, you should also pick them up from the bus stop to make sure they are safe. Talk to your child about strangers and practice scenarios with them. If they are scared or they think they are being followed, talk to them about your neighbors and which houses they can go into if they are worried. Talk to your neighbors about your concerns and see if they will watch out for your child when they are coming home from a friend's house or from school. Teach your child how to say "no" to strangers, even if they seem like a nice person. Most kidnappers do not look threatening and they use simple tactics, like acting lost or searching for their dog, to get kids to talk to them.

You should always ask your child about their day. If they seem frightened, ask them what happened. Encourage them to talk to you and to talk to their teacher or counselor if they are concerned about something. Listen to your child and understand what they are telling you. Teach your child how to use the telephone, and make sure they have your number memorized. If they are abducted, they will at least know how to contact you if they can get to a phone. Since most abduction's are family-related, tell your child to contact you if they are taken. Try to keep a good relationship with your family members and pay close attention to anything you consider to be a threat. You need to have recent, full-face photos of your child if something did happen. Keep accurate records of your child's height, weight, and any distinguishing characteristics.

Another safety concern for parents is letting their children outside to play on their bicycles. Children can be hit by cars if they go out into the street if they are not paying attention. When your children are outside playing on the driveway, make sure they wear proper safety protection like helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads. You need to teach them about road safety and to watch for cars when they are playing. Teach them how to use proper hand signals when they are bicycling. Point out all the safety signs on the street and what they mean and why they need to respect them too. You also need to teach them to put their bicycles, skateboards, and other toys back in your garage and not left out on the driveway or in the neighbor's yard.

The computer is full of useful knowledge, although it can be full of dangers for children. In order to protect your child from predators and other dangers, spend time with your child on the computer. You can use software that will block or restrict your child's access to certain web sites, if you are really concerned. Use the computer to play games with your child and install software that teaches them how to count numbers and spell words. Your child will be learning how to use a computer at school, so encourage them to show you what they have learned at home. Ask them to teach you what they have learned so you can see what they are capable of doing with the internet. Talk about appropriate web sites and have your child show you their favorite web sites. You should always place the computer in an open area in the home so that everyone can see it, this will help older children stay out of trouble with the computer and you can check on them to make sure they are using it appropriately.

Explain why certain web sites are inappropriate and why they need to avoid them. You also need to talk to your child about online chatting web sites and let them know they cannot talk to people they do not know without your permission. You should never allow your child to meet someone in person that they talked to on the internet. If you feel a predator is stalking your child, contact your local police department. Monitor your credit card statements to make sure your child is not purchasing things on the internet without your permission. Children are smart and they pick up on the internet quickly. Always talk to them about their internet activity and the things they are learning.

If you have a gun in your home, make sure it is in a locked gun cabinet. Your children should not be able to get to the gun without your help. Talk to them about guns and why they are dangerous and why they can only be used with your help. You need to teach your children about guns and show them how to use them. Most gun accidents happen because children are curious about them and they do not understand how to use the gun. They will play with it and it accidentally shoots their friend, sibling, or themselves. By taking safety precautions and teaching your child about guns, you can prevent a serious accident from occurring.

It is impossible to protect your child from everything. Do your best to teach them the proper safety measures and prepare them for different situations. Discuss these topics with your children regularly to make sure they understand what to do. Make sure they know your phone number and at least the phone number of an emergency contact, such as a relative or family friend. Instruct your child on how to use the telephone and when to call the emergency numbers. Always make sure your children wear seatbelts when they are in the car, this should be a standard routine for them no matter what. When you are driving around, talk to your child about the different safety signs in the neighborhood. Talk to your child often about safety and discuss any concerns you have with the school neighbors, city officials, or the police.