Written By: Catherine Saperstein
Chances are, by the time your baby arrives you have learned a thing or two about child safety. Maybe you eagerly devoured all the books you could get your hands on. Or, maybe you sat in a room with other exhausted and dazed looking new parents in the hospital for a required class before they would let you take your little one home. You eventually strap your newborn into a car seat, and away you go! For a few months your safety worries are all about a firm, flat sleeping surface with no pillows or blankets and “back to sleep.” You’ve got this safety thing in the bag- the sleep sack, that is!
Time moves fast and soon enough your baby does too! You develop an eagle eye for unattended small objects but still wind up occasionally fishing a penny out of your toddler’s mouth. Safety gates keep your tiny adventurer away from the stairs. There is a wall bracket for every dresser and a cover for every outlet. The house is secure, and for a moment, so are you.
By the time your child is in preschool, they probably love to get out of the house. The kid you “baby proofed” your home for is a baby no more. Spotting them on a crowded playground is now your superpower! At the pool they feel so brave in their swim vest, but you always make sure they are within arm’s reach and in your line of sight.
A couple of years go by and you now have a “big kid” on your hands. You teach your big kid to cross the street and suddenly they are no longer within arm’s reach. Along with reminding them to look both ways for cars you teach them to be aware of the people around them. They need to be careful of the strangers they encounter on their laptops as well. Showing your child how to be safe online can be tough, especially if you grew up before the internet.
One part of growing up that hasn’t changed much is the excitement of getting a driver’s license. It is exhilarating for them- and terrifying for you. Your teen feels invincible like they did years ago in their swim vest at the pool. You continue to guide them (when they let you) and give them a safe spot to land on (when they need it).
So, what is one of the best things you can do to help protect your child from the car seat to the driver’s seat?
No matter their age, take your kids’ safety in your own hands by enrolling in a CPR and First Aid course. Encourage other adults in your child’s life to do the same.
Care 1st has all the classes to fit your busy life, including evenings and weekends. Group training is also available, and let’s face it- this parenting thing is a little easier when you use the buddy system.
Schedule your class at one of Care 1st’s New Jersey locations today!
