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Keeping Families Safe: Child Safety

Kids in Crosswalk Walking to SchoolEvery parent or adult with a child in their life wants to ensure their safety. Raising kids is hard and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office wants to help keep kids safe. Below are some simple tips that parents and caregivers can use to guide decision-making or serve as a good reminder to raising healthy, happy children.

  1. Talk to Your Kids About Internet Safety

    May 25 is Missing Children's Day, a time to talk to our children about online safety and the dangers associated with online use. Read more...
  2. Stay Aware of Teen Dating Violence

    Talking to teens about dating can be uncomfortable. Still, honest and meaningful conversations about relationships can make a significant difference for teens navigating friendships, dating, and decision making. Read more...
  3. Talk to Teens About Substance Abuse

    It may seem that a new drug or trend is affecting the lives of children and teens every day. For parents, it's just as important to learn about these issues as it is to take action and talk to their kids. Read more...
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Safety Tips

  • Be involved in everything your child does! Take time to get to know your children’s teachers, coaches, friends, and parents of friends.
  • Remind your child to “check first” with a trusted adult before they go anywhere with anyone at any time.  Always know where your children are and make sure they check in with you regularly when they’re not home.
  • Make sure your children know they have the right to say no to anything that makes them feel uncomfortable, even if it’s to a friend or someone they know. It’s more important to be safe than polite.
  • Remind children that anytime an adult asks them to keep a secret, that is a sign that things are not safe. 
  • Choose babysitters carefully. Obtain references, check their social media accounts, drop in unexpectedly, and ask children about their time with their babysitter.
  • Teach your child to always wear a seat belt when in a car. Car crashes are one of the leading causes of death for children, ensure your children are properly secured in a car seat or seat belt.
  • Teach your children how to get help in public places. Identify safe places and trusted adults such as law enforcement, security guards, or store clerks.
  • Your children should memorize your name, cell phone number and home address in the event of an emergency.
  • Teach your children to make a scene by kicking or screaming if someone tries to grab them, and to try their hardest to escape until someone notices.
  • Practice “what if” scenarios with your children to find out what they would do in different situations.

Statistics

  • In 2018, 806 kids died in Arizona; 42% of these deaths could have been prevented 1
    • 31% of these deaths occurred in children one year of age
  • 59% of car seats are not installed correctly 2
  • Every three weeks a child dies from a television or furniture tip-over 3
  • Every hour, poison control centers receive a call about a child who has gotten into a laundry detergent packet 4
  • Every 8 minutes, a child goes to the ER for medicine poisoning belonging to an adult 4

Resources 

Download our informational Child Safety card to share with others.


Nationwide Active Amber Alerts

Phoenix Police Department Missing Persons Detail

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

NetSmartz Internet Safety Workshops

KidSmartz Child Safety Information

Swimming Pool Safety Tips 

Sources

  1. Perfette, Jessica MPH et al. “Child Fatality Review - Twenty Fifth Annual Report.” AZ Department of Health Services. Accessed January 2020. azdhs.gov/documents/prevention/womens-childrens-health/reports-fact-sheets/child-fatality-review-annual-reports/cfr-annual-report-2018.pdf
  2. "More than Half Car Seats are Not Installed Correctly.” Safe Kids Worldwide. Accessed April 2020. SafeKids.org/post/more-half-car-seats-are-not-installed-correctly
  3. “TV and Furniture Tip-Overs.” Safe Kids Worldwide. Accessed April 2020. SafeKids.org/tv
  4. “Keeping Families Safe Around Medicine.” Safe Kids Worldwide. Accessed December 2020. Poison.org/~/media/files/pdf-for-article-dowloads-and-refs/safekids-medicine-safety-2014.pdf?la=en