Keep Your Kids Safe by Practicing These Autumn Safety Tips

1. Dress Children in Bright-Colored Clothing

Kids are still enjoying modest temperatures as the days start getting shorter. That means less visibility while they are playing outside. Whether it's clothes, shoes, reflective tape, or all of the above, it's important that your child can be easily spotted by drivers. Young children have the tendency to run after balls or wonder off aimlessly into the street, so keep an extra eye or two on them.

2. Hold Your Child's Hand in Parking Lots

It's important to stay alert around stationary and moving vehicles while crossing a parking lot. Teach your children about a car's blind spot, to look for tail lights and listen for cars being started so they can avoid an accident.

3. Monitor Your Children When They Play in Leaf Piles

Kids may want to help rake leaves, so it’s important to keep sharp, dangerous tools stored away and out of sight of children. Leaves can also carry various molds, bugs, and critters. Raking leaves may be a lot of work but the payoff for the kids, and some adults, is diving-in once the leaf piles have been formed. Just remember to remove any sharp tools from the pile and the surrounding area and keep them out of the reach of young children. Also, you might want to do a complete check of your child after the festivities for various bugs and critters.

4. Make Regular Hand Washing a Rule for Everyone

Parents should set the example by washing their hands often to teach their children the importance of handwashing and to avoid getting sick or spreading germs. If not, it's only a matter of time before the whole family comes down with the same illness.

Create a "hand washing" habit with your children:

• Before eating
• After using the bathroom
• After touching animals, including family pets
• Before and after visiting sick friends or relatives
• After coughing or sneezing
• After playing outside

5. Always Check the Temperature of Hot Soups and Drinks

Avoid pediatric burns by always checking the temperature of hot soup, water, and cider before serving to children. Most burns come from children pulling soup down from the microwave themselves. Other reasons include uncoordinated walking while holding a soup and hot beverages, and spilling hot soups while eating.

6. Check the Weather in Advance and Dress Your Children Accordingly

Base your child's attire on the weather forecasts for the week. If the temperature is dropping then choose a few light layers for your child and throw a sweatshirt in their backpack just in case.

7. Bonus Holiday Safety Tips

• Make sure to check gifts for loose strings and ribbons, as they could strangle or choke young children.
• Store gift wrapping materials out of sight of young children.
• Check all decorative materials for fire hazards.
• Use plastic or flameless candles to avoid burns and fires.
• Keep young children out of the kitchen and away from hot ovens.
• Turn pot handles inward and out of the reach of children.