How to Talk To Kids About Safety

One common misconception about safety is that it's just common sense.  In reality, good safety practices can be simple, but you need to be intentional about having safety conversations and developing safety habits.

When it comes to any form of safety, awareness is the first step for developing solid habits. Start with why they need to be safe. Be upfront with your kids about risks and stay positive — you want them to recognize hazards without feeling so afraid that they're unable to act.

For example, you're probably familiar with the phrase "stranger danger." This phrase can instill fear that prevents kids from trusting someone in an emergency, and it doesn't recognize that some adults they do know may not be trustworthy. When talking to your kids about safety, try using a phrase like "tricky people" to help them understand that while most people are good, it's helpful to be cautious and turn to adults they know in nonemergency situations.

Discussing safety with your kids fosters awareness while practicing how to be safe develops good habits. Games can be an entertaining and educational way to test your children's response to emergencies.

You can use hopscotch to see how well your kids remember emergency phone numbers. See if they can hop out 911 or your cell phone number. Pose helpful questions like, "What number do you call if you smell a fire in the house?" 

Role-playing can also be a fun way to practice safety skills. You and your child can play pretend that there's a hurricane or tornado outside. Make sure to teach them where your emergency kit is and where they need to hide. Watch as they follow through with your natural disaster plan.

When you're helping kids build habits through games, make sure they know when they get things right and tell them you trust them. Positive recognition will reinforce the learning process and ensure kids are ready to respond during the real thing. 

If they failed to do something safely, stop them and start again with why and how until they get it right.

This goes for real-life safety behavior as well.  When you see your child doing something safe, such as putting on a bike helmet without being asked, pause to recognize the good behavior. It can be as simple as saying "Hey, I noticed you put on your helmet on your own.  Good job!"

One of the key characteristics of a strong safety culture is that everyone feels responsible for safety and empowered to speak up when they see something unsafe. That includes your kids.

It's important to recognize that we all make mistakes when it comes to safety. While your kids might slip up, you might too. Create an environment where both you and your child can speak up about safety - either proactively or when you see something wrong.  Building a strong safety culture at home is all about maintaining open communication. 

Our safety team offers two processes for giving and receiving feedback when it comes to safety habits — speak up and listen up. 

Speak up: If you or your children see something unsafe, it's a good time to speak up. 

• Ask if you can share your concerns about an action, like not looking both ways when crossing the street. 
• Work together to come up with a solution and cheer each other on for safe habits.

Listen up: If you or your kids need to receive feedback, listen up. 

• Make sure you know what the person is saying and ask questions if you're confused. 
• Agree to the safer process and commit to it, then follow up on the lesson at the next opportunity.

The key idea is that you're looking out for each other. Your safety habits are just as much for other people as they are for yourself.

At Caterpillar, we know that safety education gives people the skills to protect themselves, whether that's on the work site or in the home. Our safety professionals take an organized and results-driven approach to safety education, and clear communication and practice are essential steps.

Take it from us — knowing the risks and having a plan can make all the difference. Start building safety habits at home today and be prepared for tomorrow.