Child Safety

 

 

 

 

 

The Lee County Sheriff's Office is committed to the protection and well-being of our children.  This safety checklist offers parents a wide range of resources, including tips for school, walking and bus safety, pool and bicycle usage, child safety restraints and seat belts, and safety tips for parents. 
Working in partnership with our community, we can make a difference.

 

 

Sheriff Mike Scott
"Proud To Serve"

14750 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy.
Fort Myers, FL  33912

EMERGENCY 9-1-1
Non-Emergency 477-1000
Web Site: www.sheriffleefl.org

CHILD SAFETY CHECK LIST

Give your child the following test:

1.  Do you know your full name, address and phone number (including area code)?
Yes or No

2.  Do you know the work phone number of your parent (s) or another trusted adult?  What about the phone number of a neighbor, police department, fire department, poison control center and doctor? Yes or No

3.  Do you keep a list of three important phone  numbers with you at all times?Yes or No

4.  Do you always tell a parent or trusted adult when you go out and when you’ll be home?
Yes or No

5.  Do you always use the buddy system when you’re away from home?  Yes or No

6.  Do you always stay away from people you do not know very well? Yes or No

7.  Do you stay away from drugs and weapons?  Yes or No

8.  Do you tell a trusted adult when something bad has happened to you? Yes or No

9.  Do you keep doors and windows locked when you are home alone?  Yes or No

10. Do you know how to safely answer the doorbell or telephone when you are home alone?  Yes or No

If you answered “YES” to all of the above questions you are already doing a lot to keep yourself safer.  But there is so much more to learn.

 SCHOOL SAFETY TIPS

CHILDREN NEED POSITIVE ROLE MODELS

Do you tell your child to stay out of the street?  Or do you demonstrate, by your example, how to be safe, intelligent pedestrians?  Children imitate and model their behavior after others.  Your actions, both as a pedestrian and driver, will speak louder than any words you could say.  What children learn from family members and others they admire could save their lives or result in tragedy.

Traffic safety instruction begins before a youngster starts walking.  These attitudes are reinforced – both positively or negatively – as the child rides in a motor vehicle, and walks or plays outside.

As parents, you need to decide if their child is ready to walk to school or to the bus stop by themselves.  Proper planning includes choosing the safest route for your child to walk.  Talk about why it is the best and why other routes may be dangerous, even though they may be shorter.  Plan to walk both ways with your child until they feel comfortable with the route you have selected. 

No magic formula exists for picking the safest route.  The following guidelines will assist you in avoiding as many traffic hazards as possible:

DIRECT ROUTE - Children should take the most direct, safe route.  Encourage your child to go straight to and from school without loitering along the way.  School safety patrols, signs and other traffic control devices are there for the child's protection.  Playing tag, pushing each other and “horsing around” on the way can result in traffic accidents when children are distracted and suddenly dart out into the street.

FEWEST STREET CROSSINGS – Select the route that involves the minimum number of streets to cross.  Consider the street width, length of time it takes to cross each street, traffic volume, traffic speed, and whether there are sufficient gaps in traffic for crossing safely.

SPECIAL SCHOOL CROSSING – Pedestrian crossings may be provided next to school grounds to compensate for existing hazardous conditions.  Use these crossings when planning safe routes.  Try to restrict crossings to those intersections guarded by an adult crossing guard, a Deputy Sheriff or a safety patrol member.

TRAFFIC SIGNALS – Look for intersections that have a signal with a separate pedestrian interval or WALK/DON”T WALK indicator.  Your child should be familiar with the right-turn-on-red ruling and turns indicated by colored arrows.

SIDEWALKS, PATHWAYS AND BIKE PATHS – Use protected walkways at every opportunity.  They provide buffer zones away from traffic flow.

OBSTRUCTED VIEWS – Avoid those streets where there are objects blocking a child’s view of oncoming traffic.  Roads where vehicles often exceed the speed limit, rough street surfaces at crossings, poorly located safety islands and intersections with bus stops or parking near crosswalks are all potential problems for children.

SEVEN TIPS FOR SAFE WALKING

1.  KEEP FROM BETWEEN PARKED CARS.  Many children are struck each year in non-intersection accidents when they suddenly enter the roadway from between parked cars or from behind bushes and shrubs.

2.  BE EXTRA ALERT IN BAD WEATHER.  Inclement weather tends to make people hurry and pay less attention to accident prevention.   Motorists cannot stop as fast.  Vehicles may skid.   Visibility is sharply reduced. Your youngster must learn to watch out for vehicles and to exercise increased caution when the weather is inclement.

3.  BE SEEN AT NIGHT.  If it is necessary for children to be out after dark, have them wear white or light-colored clothing.  Attach reflective strips to jackets and coats.  It is recommended that the child also carry a flashlight to be more visible.

4.  CROSS AT CORNERS.  Studies show that motorists do not expect children to cross at mid-block and tend to slow down at intersections because they expect to see pedestrians cross there.   Teach your child to cross at corners, especially those with a traffic signal.

5.  OBSERVE AND OBEY.  Remind children that police officers, adult crossing guards, school safety patrols, traffic signs and signals are all traffic safety helpers. They should be observed and obeyed.

6.  LOOK ALL WAYS BEFORE CROSSING.   Children must learn to stop and look for oncoming vehicles in all directions before they walk – not run – straight across the street.  Cross-walks are not “magic” safety lines.  Children must be alert for turning cars at all times, especially with right-turn-on-red laws in effect.

7.  WALK FACING TRAFFIC.  In areas where there are no sidewalks, children should be instructed to walk on the left side of the roadway facing approaching traffic so they can see the drivers.  They should also walk in single file, as far off the traveled part of the roadway as possible.  If an adult is walking with a child, the adult should walk between the child and the roadway, acting as a more visible buffer to the vehicles.

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY TIPS

Millions of children in the United States ride safely to and from school on the bus each day.  Although school buses are one of the safest ways to get to school, there are a lot of injuries that occur while waiting at the bus stop, riding, and exiting the bus.

Young children are most likely to be injured because they:

• Hurry to get on or off the bus.
• Act before they think and have little experience with traffic.
• Assume motorists will see them and will wait for them to cross.
• Don’t always stay within the driver’s eyesight.
• Run around or play games while waiting for the bus or on their way to the bus stop.

Here are a few tips for you and your child to make them safer while waiting for, riding, or exiting the bus.

• Make sure your child has no clothing that has loose drawstrings and back pack straps should be short so they don’t get caught on hand rails or bus doors.

 
• Supervise your children to make sure they get to the bus stop on time and are waiting far away from the roadway.  Make sure they are not running or playing games while walking to or waiting at the bus stop.

 
• Make sure your child knows the danger zones that surround the bus.  These zones are where the child is in the most danger.  Children should stay 10 feet away from the bus or as far away as possible.  They should never walk behind the bus.

 
• Teach your child never to stop and pick something up without the bus driver being notified first.  If your child bends over to pick up something, the bus driver will not be able to see them.

 
• When boarding a bus, children should stay away from the danger zones and board the bus in single file.

 
• When unloading, children should make sure they look before stepping off to make sure no cars are passing on the shoulder (side of the road) and then they should move away from the bus.

 
• Before crossing the street in front of the bus your child should take five giant steps out in front of the bus or until they can see the driver’s face.  Rule of thumb is if you can see the driver than the driver can probably see you.

 
• Your child should look Left-Right-Left when coming to the edge of the bus before crossing the street.  Cars are supposed to stop, but make sure they do.

 

Parents, when children are going to school and coming home they don’t always pay attention to the cars or where they are running and playing so we need to take extra care to keep them safe.  When you see a bus full of children we need to take extra precautions and drive carefully so all our children can come home safely.

PLAYING AWAY FROM TRAFFIC

Youngsters need a safe place to play that is away from moving vehicles.  Driveways and alleyways should be discouraged as play areas.  Take time to create an imaginative play area away from the street.  Create a play area that has the needed interest and stimulation for encouraging children to play there with their friends.  In some congested areas, children have no alternative but to play on the sidewalk. In such situations, work to develop safe play habits.  Playing ball on sidewalks is dangerous because the ball may roll into the street. Stress playing away from parked vehicles and encourage games that will keep youngsters off the street.

SAFETY TIPS FOR PARENTS

• Make sure your child knows his/her name, address and telephone number with area code.   It seems like a lot to remember, but this is one of the most important child safety tips.

 
• Show your child how to dial 911.  Advise them how important it is not to play with this system as it could mean life or death to someone else that needs help.  Most cities send police in response to 911 calls whether or not a the caller asks for help.

 
• Establish a code word with your child, for situations when your child has to be picked up by someone other than a parent or regular caregiver. Predators have tricked kids into telling their code word so remind your child never to tell anyone.

 
• Teach your child that if something feels weird, it probably is and regularly remind them they can talk to you about anything.

 
• Keep a close eye on your child when in public areas, especially when it is very crowded.  Children have a tendency to wander off when something catches their eye. 

 
• Remind your child that if they become lost in a store they should find a store clerk or police officer and wait with that person until you or the police show up.  They shouldn’t go with anyone that offers to take them to their parent unless it is a uniformed law enforcement or fire safety officer.

 
• Make sure your child knows never to talk to strangers.  Strangers come in all shapes and sizes; the best way to make sure your child understands is to explain that anyone they do not know is a stranger.

 
• Your child should never approach a car for any reason, unless you give them permission.

 
• Sometimes adults will ask a child for directions.  Remind your child that adults should never ask a child for directions or anything else.

 
• Some children come home from school alone for many reasons.  Make sure your child knows all the rules for being home alone.

 
• Make sure your child knows to come straight home.  They should not stop to play unless you know where he or she is.

 
• Never leave the key to your home in a place that can be seen by others.

 
• Make sure your child knows to lock the door behind him/her after entering the home.

 
• Teach your child that they should not open the door to anyone.  Not even just a little bit.
   
  1. If a delivery person comes to the door, your child should tell them to leave the package by the door or that they will have to come back later.
  2. If someone comes to the door and asks for their parents advise your child to say “my mother is in the shower” or “my dad's on the phone.”
  3. Have a checklist for your child to follow when they are home alone.
  4. Make sure your child knows what to say or do if the phone rings--sometimes it is scary for a child if the phone continues to ring.
  5. Remind your child to never tell the caller they are home alone.  Your child can always tell the caller you are in the shower or busy and to call back later.
  
   
• Give your child the following safety checklist to have available while he or she is home alone.

STAYING HOME ALONE CHECKLIST FOR EMERGENCIES

MY NAME: ________________________________

MY ADDRESS: ___________________________________

MY PHONE NUMBER: __________________________

MY PARENTS' NAMES: ___________________________

NEIGHBORS I CAN CALL IF I GET SCARED: __________________________

PARENTS' WORK NUMBERS OR CONTACT NUMBERS: _____________________

POLICE: ___________________________     FIRE: _______________________________

OTHER INFORMATION YOU CAN FILL OUT WITH YOUR CHILD

IF THE PHONE RINGS, I WILL:

_________________________________________________________

IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY, I WILL:

___________________________________________________________

IF SOMEONE COMES TO THE DOOR, I WILL:

_________________________________________________________

IF I GET SCARED, I WILL:

_________________________________________________________

IF I GET BORED, I WILL:

______________________________________________________

MY RESPONSIBILITIES ARE:

_____________________________________________________

I AM ALLOWED TO:

________________________________________________________

 

CHILDREN AND POOL SAFETY

Millions of Americans enjoy the benefits of exercising and relaxation provided by a home swimming pool.  However, a recent study by the Consumer Product Safety Commission demonstrates the need for special care to avoid drowning and other serious pool-related injuries, particularly in small children.

Check the following safety features to make sure your pool meets the test:

   BARRIERS: Fencing

• There is a fence or wall surrounding all four sides of the pool.
• The fence is at least 5 feet high.
• No vertical opening in the fence is more than 4 inches wide.
• Young children are not able to climb the fence.
• The fence allows a clear view of the pool from the house.
• Chairs, tables and other objects are not placed near pool fences.   Children can use these to climb over. Better yet, place outdoor furniture inside the locked fence where it will be inaccessible to children.

   GATE:

• The gate is self-closing.
• It has a self-latching mechanism in proper working order.
• The gate latching mechanism is out of the reach of children.
• The gate is checked regularly to be sure it latches securely and that spring mechanisms work properly.
• The hinges and latches are oiled regularly.

   DOORS

• All exit doors and windows from the house to the pool and pool area should be kept locked at all times.  The key should be kept well out of the reach of children.
  
• All locks should be installed at least 5 feet above the floor.
  
• Attach hook and eye locks–small metal locks–at the top of exterior doors.   These help prevent children from going out “locked” doors.  However, don’t let these give you a false sense of security. Four and five year old children can easily drag a chair over to the door and flip open a hook and eye lock
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• Lock doggie doors as well.  Small children can easily fit through the small opening of a doggie door.

Encourage your neighbors to help you by keeping their gates and doors to their pool and pool areas locked.

   POOL COVERS:

• Pool covers are always removed completely when the pool is in use.
  
• Standing water is always removed from pool covers
  .
• Wading pools are emptied when not in use; a child can drown in as little as 2 inches of water.

   STEPS:

          Steps leading to an above-ground pool are removed when the pool is not in use.

   SUPERVISION:

• Never leave a child unattended in the water or pool area for any reason.   Don’t be distracted by doorbells, phone calls, chores or conversation.   If you must leave the pool area, take the child with you, making sure the pool gate or door closes securely behind you.


• Always keep your eyes on your child or children.  Designate a child watcher, whether it be you or someone else, when you attend a party or have friends over.


• Talk with baby-sitters about pool safety, supervision and drowning prevention and provide them with instructions on the potential hazards to young children in and around the pool.


• Don’t rely on swimming lessons or floatation devices to protect your children in the water.


• Don’t allow children to play in the pool area.  Remove all toys, tricycles–anything a child might want to get or that might fall in the pool–from the vicinity.  Children normally try to retrieve their toys.


• Keep lifesaving equipment, such as a pole, life preserver and rope, in the pool area.  Hang them up so people won’t trip over them.


• Post rules such as “No Running,” “No Pushing,” “No Dunking” and “Never Swim Alone.”  Then enforce the rules.


• Don’t have a false sense of security just because you think your pool area and home are secure.  Always watch your children, whether inside or outside.


• Don’t assume that drowning accidents or drowning incidents couldn’t happen to you or your family.

   EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
• Have a phone handy to the pool area.  DO NOT answer the phone while your children are in the pool; use the phone only to call 911 should a problem occur.
• Parents, guardians and baby-sitters should know cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).


• Parents, guardians and baby-sitters should know how to institute CPR or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation immediately and stay with the child until emergency personnel arrive.


• For the nearest cardiopulmonary resuscitation class, contact your fire department, Red Cross or hospital nearest you.

BICYCLE SAFETY TIPS

Here are some tips to follow when you ride your bike in traffic.  Many of them are similar to laws that conform to the Uniform Vehicle code.  Remember that responsible cycling is a full time job.  When riding with other traffic, a bicycle is considered a vehicle.

Effective January 1, 1997, Florida law requires:

• Bicycle riders and passengers under 16 years of age must wear a properly fitted and secured bicycle helmet that meets nationally recognized standards.  This includes a child who is riding in a trailer or semi-trailer attached to a bicycle.
• A bike may not be used to carry more people than it is designed or equipped to carry.
• Bicycle riders carrying a passenger under 4 years old, weighing 40 pounds or less, must secure the child in a seat or carrier that is designed to carry a child of that age and size and protect them from the moving parts of the bicycle.  However, an adult rider may carry a child secured in a backpack or sling.
• A person may not rent or lease a bicycle that will be ridden by someone under the age of 16 years of age unless the child possesses a bicycle helmet or is provided a helmet by the person renting or leasing the bicycle.

 

TIPS FOR BUYING AND FITTING YOUR HELMET

• Make sure to purchase a helmet that has been tested and meets the uniform safety standard issued by the U.S. Consumer Safety Commission (CPSC), or one or more of the voluntary bicycle helmet standards like the ASTM, SNELL or ANSI.  There should be a label or sticker in or on the helmet that says it meets the standard.
• Buy a helmet that fits your child now, not one they can “grow into”.
• Select a brand that fits well before any adjustments are made.  Buy one that is comfortable and attractive--your child will be more likely to wear it.

FITTING

• Put the helmet on your child's head so its sits evenly between the ears and rests low on your forehead – it should only be about 1-2 finger widths above your eyebrows.
• The helmet usually includes more than one size of foam pads that can be velcroed inside the helmet for a better fit.  Put the pads inside the helmet so it feels comfortable and really snug.
• Tighten the chinstrap as snugly as possible.
• Adjust the junction of the front and back straps just under the ears and secure the back strap without putting pressure on the front strap.
• After tightening the helmet straps, have the child rock his or her head from side to side.  Have them shake their head “no” as hard as possible.  If the helmet slips, check the padding on the sides and make sure the straps are evenly adjusted.
• Have your child open his or her mouth as wide as possible, without moving the head.  The top of the helmet should pull down.  If it doesn’t, tighten the chinstrap.  Make sure the front and back junction is under each ear.
• Make sure the front edge of the helmet covers the child's forehead.  The front edge of the helmet should be not more than 1 to 2 finger widths from the child's eyebrows.

A good helmet fit is as important as wearing one, so take the time to make sure it fits properly.  If you are fitting a child, take the time to do this while they are relaxing so it will be ready for the next time they go out to ride.

TIPS FOR RIDING A BIKE

• When sharing the road with other vehicles, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists.
• Always ride in the same direction as other traffic, as close to the right edge of the roadway as practical.
• Traffic regulations, signs, signals and pavement markings apply to the cyclists, too.  So follow the direction given by police officers or adult crossing guards.
• Always come to a complete stop and look LEFT – RIGHT – LEFT again before proceeding.
• Always slow down and yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk or when riding on or across sidewalks.
• Avoid bicycling after dark.  If you must ride after dark, make sure your bike has reflectors and lights.  Wear light colored clothing to be more visible.
• It is important for all road users to communicate.  Inform others of your intended actions by using hand signals or by pointing.  Make sure your child knows the proper hand signals before they venture out.
• Establish eye contact with motorists so they know you see them, but more important, so you know they see you.
• Ride predictably in a straight line without a lot of sudden movements.  This will keep you on track and not startle motorists passing you.
• Take your child to a Bike Safety Day; this will help to ensure your child knows the rules of the road and all the hand signals.

 

 AUTOMOBILE CHILD SAFETY RESTRAINTS AND
SEAT BELTS

• All children 6-18 years of age must be properly restrained while riding in a car, pickup truck or van on Florida’s roads, no matter where they are sitting in the vehicle
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• Drivers are responsible for buckling up the children in the vehicle.
  
• Infants and small children should never ride in the front seat.  Some vehicles have passenger side air bags that can cause serious injuries to the child if involved in an accident.  Place children in the rear seat.  It is generally the safest place.
  
• All front seat passengers must buckle up, regardless of their age.
  
• The driver is held responsible for all passengers under the age of 18 years who are not buckled up.

FOLLOW THE FOUR STEPS OF CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY

1. Use a Rear-Facing Child Seat from birth to at least 20 pounds and at least one year of age:

• The harness strap should be at or below shoulder level.
• Babies who are less than one year and over 20 pounds should ride in a safety seat approved for heavier babies and continue to ride facing the rear until at least one year of age.

2. Use a Forward-Facing Seat if a child is at least 20 to 40 pounds and at least one year old to about age four:

• The harness strap should be at or above shoulder level.
• Most convertible, forward-facing seats require use of the top slot for forward facing seats.

3. Use a Booster Seat if the child is over 40 pounds up to 80 pounds and under four feet, nine inches tall:

• Belt-positioning booster seats must be used with both lap and shoulder belts.
• Never use a booster seat with a lap belt only.
• Make sure the belt fits low and tight to avoid abdominal injuries.

4. Buckle Up a Child in an Adult Seat Belt if a child is over 80 pounds and at least four feet, nine inches tall and if the child can sit with their back straight against the vehicle seat back cushion, with their knees bent over the vehicle’s seat edge without slouching.

 

Ninety-six percent of parents believe their children are properly buckled in their child safety seats.  However, data from actual inspections show that at least four out of five children riding in child safety seats are improperly restrained.  Parents should have their safety seats inspected by a certified child passenger safety technician in their community.  Please call your local fire department or the nearest law enforcement agency for a schedule of dates to have your child seat checked.

Make sure you and your family members wear their safety belts or are restrained in the proper child seat.