From a child's perspective there's nothing more exciting than time off from school. No tests or homework. You can get up when you want and do what you want – the day is open for adventure! Now, if you're a parent, the view is often quite different. You can't help but drive yourself crazy thinking about who will look after them, how to keep them entertained, can they be left alone, whether they'll be safe and so on and so forth.
Spring vacation is fastly approaching and the Balcia team is here to remind you of some basic safety tips worth discussing with the little ones so that no one comes home with any injuries.
What is worth reminding before the holidays begin?
While only a few decades ago, children were primarily warned not to tamper with electricity boxes, play near roads or go on thin ice, the picture before us today is very different. It's no longer just riding a bike, it's going on ramps in skate parks, and getting on a scooter probably means doing tricks and (of course!) filming them. Or when the weather is especially annoying, kids often look for indoor activities such as visiting a trampoline park, heading to the local swimming pool or water park, try bouldering, play laser tag and much more.
While all these activities are undoubtedly a lot of fun, they can also easily result in injuries. That's why, in cooperation with the center for alternative and extreme sports The Spot, we've put together a list of topics to discuss with your child so that these activities are carried out as safely as possible.
Road traffic rules
From crossing streets and watching out for cars to riding a bike or scooter responsibly, it's important to go over the road safety ABCs with your loved ones. This is where the Road Traffic Safety Directorate's website for children comes in handy, summarizing the most important rules and providing a variety of games to help kids learn the rules in a fun way.
Even if your child is old enough to head out on their own, it's a good idea to explore your favorite routes together at the start of the season and see if there are any changes in traffic or ongoing renovations.
Safe travel equipment
Einārs Lansmanis, CEO of The Spot, points out that when cycling, scootering, rollerblading or traveling recreationally by any other means, you should always wear a helmet to protect yourself from potentially dangerous head injuries, and (ideally) knee and elbow pads that will protect you from unpleasant abrasions and bruises.
It is also important to discuss within the family why helmets and pads are necessary, otherwise your rules might seem fairly superficial to the kids. The aim here is to teach your children to make mindful decisions and stay safe not only this time around but going forward as well. And the best way to persuade them is to set a good example by wearing a helmet or safety pads yourself.
And let's not forget to check if all riding gear is in working order before the season starts, including any necessary protective gear!
What to do in case of an emergency
Explain when it's necessary to call emergency services and help them learn the phone number. Additionally, make sure they know that when calling the emergency services, you should always start with the most important things: where the accident happened, what happened and their name. If the child does not have a phone with them, explain that they can ask other trustworthy adults for help, for example, a shop assistant, security guard, police officer, families with children, etc.
Encourage your kids to share about any accidents
This is often the most difficult, as the child may choose to hide what has happened out of fear of potential consequences. It is therefore very important to build trust and explain that even if an accident occurs, your family is a safe space and will help deal with any issues. For example, if your child has damaged his new bike, injured himself or damaged another kid's belongings, your reaction to what the child tells you will be crucial. And it will undoubtedly be easier to deal with knowing that both your child's health and liability for someone else's property will be covered.
You may have guessed that everyone in the Balcia team shares a common goal – public safety. If you too are passionate about technology and want to be part of the solution, check out the available jobs in insurance!
