Essential Family Safety Plans to Have in Place

When you have a young family, it goes without saying that safety is a top priority. For this reason, it’s important to make sure that your ​children know how to keep themselves safe if certain incidents were ever to happen. Take a look at the crucial plans that every household should have…

Do you have a fire plan?

Fire safety is a crucial aspect of Australian life, especially if you live in the country or in suburban areas where bushfires are common in the warmer months. Aside from the common steps to take to reduce your risk of fire – checking electrical cords, clearing debris from your gutters, never leaving the stove or oven unattended – it’s important to have a comprehensive fire safety plan in place that your whole family is aware of. This should encompass key rules for what to do in the event of a fire, such as not taking any items with you, as well as how to quickly and safely get out of the house. You should also decide on a meeting point where you can all gather once you are out of the home.

Do your children know how to respond to injury?

We always think about what we would do if our children were hurt – but have you ever thought about what they would do if you were injured? Teaching your children how to call 000 or a trusted friend or family member ensures that if you are ever in a situation where you fall unconscious or don’t have the capacity to seek help yourself, they will be able to assist. Although it may seem unlikely, there have been many situations where children have saved their parents lives in urgent circumstances.

Do your kids know what to do if they are separated from you?

It’s safe to say that losing your kids when you’re out and about is every parent’s worst nightmare – which is precisely why it’s so important to speak to them about what they should do if this occurs. These incidents usually happen in busy areas such as shopping centres or public events, so you should teach your children to find a trusted person – such as a shop employee, a security guard or a police officer – and tell them that they have become separated from you. Make them understand that they shouldn’t stray far from where they originally lost you, and if possible teach them your full name and phone number so they can tell the person that helps them.