Brought to us by Darkness to Light keeping our Summer safe this year with our kids.
The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and schools are out for the summer. It is officially the season for camps, cookouts, and family activities.
Amid all the excitement of summer, how can parents create environments that are safer for their kids to enjoy?
KNOW WHERE YOUR KIDS ARE
For the next few months, it seems like kids are here, there, and everywhere. Make sure you know where yours plan to be so you can pre-verify who will be there and what protective measures will be in place. For instance, no matter where your children are playing, interactions with adults and other youth should be both observable and interruptible.
PLAN AHEAD
If you’re going to a busy place with many kids, like a park or a family gathering, consider hiring or designating a verified person to help monitor kids. To avoid last-minute substitutions, make arrangements ahead of time for a babysitter or nanny, and prepare a call list of backup sitters in case an issue does come up.
CHOOSE ACTIVITIES WISELY
Whether it’s a summer camp, sports clinic, or church retreat, parents should make sure there are policies in place that protect children from sexual abuse. Protective policies should include background checks, staff training on spotting and reporting abuse, and a written code of conduct on acceptable and unacceptable behaviors for which all staff members are held accountable.
With a little preparation and planning, you can help create safer summer memories for your little loved ones.
