Summer Safety Tips for Parents
Written by Shiree Lind, Community Outreach Specialist
Ensuring your family’s and neighborhood’s safety involves proactive measures and community cooperation. Here are some practical steps to help achieve this:
Know Where Your Children Are
- Communicate Plans: Ensure your children inform you before leaving the house and provide a return time.
- Exchange Information: Have them leave a contact number for their location.
- Tracking Devices: Consider a trackable watch, air tag or app for your child so you know where they are.
Help Children Learn Important Phone Numbers
- Memorize Key Numbers: Teach your children their home phone number, address, and work cell numbers.
- Carry Contact Information: If memorization is difficult, write down these numbers on a card and have them carry it at all times.
Set Limits on Where Your Children Can Go
- Define Boundaries: Specify which areas in the neighborhood are off-limits, such as busy roads, alleys, or private property.
- Teach them about the rules of the road.
Get to Know Your Children’s Friends and Their Parents
- Meet and Greet: Meet your children’s friends and parents. Keep a list of their contact numbers.
- Meet the parents: Either in person or by phone, and inquire about their supervision practice and planned activities.
These steps can enhance your family’s safety and create a more secure and connected neighborhood.
For more information, visit CrimePrevention.IrvinePD.org or contact the Irvine Police Department’s non-emergency line at 949-724-7000.