Does your child know what to do in an emergency?

Olga Phillips

Submitted photo

Safety isn’t about scaring kids; it’s about empowering them to make smart decisions when you’re not around.”

As children grow and don’t need parental supervision when they venture out on their own or with friends, their safety is more important than ever. Whether that’s getting food, going to a local event or traveling out of town, kids need to be equipped with the resources and knowledge they’ll need to handle emergencies.

I instill this in not only my children but also through my work as the founder of the nonprofit organization, Phillips Law Foundation. We help parents and kids with child safety and support families in need within the community.

Through partnerships like the Arizona Missing Child Taskforce, we help raise awareness for missing children with billboards, flyers, social media campaigns and other community outreach.

But our mission begins long before a child is reported missing. As parents, it’s our job to ensure our kids are prepared for any scenario and to make responsible choices unsupervised. Here are four ways you can help keep your child safe when you’re not present.

Establish clear guidelines

Continuous and open conversations with your children about safety are crucial for them to understand and remember before they go out on their own. Your child should be clear on where they’re going, who they’ll be with and when they’ll be home.

Encouraging regular check-ins will also help with your peace of mind and keep streamlined communication with your child, whether that’s by a quick text or phone call. Don’t hesitate to ask for your child’s friends’ contact information or to reach out to their parents so everyone is on the same page. This is not about restricting your child and taking away their independence. It’s about setting boundaries that reinforce trust and responsibility.

Make sure they know emergency contacts

It’s important to ensure that your child has all the necessary contact information and resources, including your phone number, trusted relatives’ phone numbers and emergency services.

Teach younger children when it’s crucial to call 911, like if someone gets injured or another emergency occurs. It’s also essential for them to be aware of their surroundings and be able to describe their location accurately, whether using nearby street signs or recognizable landmarks.

If your kid’s phone is lost, damaged or loses its charge, it’s beneficial for them to have your number memorized or written down to keep in their pocket or purse so they can call your from a friend’s phone or they can find a trusted adult worker at a nearby public store and ask to use the store’s phone.

Technology hacks

Let technology be your friend and use location-sharing apps like Life360, Find My or Google Family Link as useful tools to stay informed on where your child is without constantly checking in. This will create a sense of security for both of you to know each other’s whereabouts.

Stress to your child that this is not about watching their every move, it’s about having trust while protecting them in the best way possible.

Trust your gut

Kids should feel confident knowing when to leave a situation and not ignore their instincts. Teach them to recognize when something doesn’t feel right and to not be afraid to act on it. This can also mean calling for help or finding a trusted adult within the area. They shouldn’t have to stay in a place where they feel uncomfortable and should know that it’s OK to get out of a situation for their safety and well-being.

Safety isn’t about scaring kids; it’s about empowering them to make smart decisions when you’re not around.

The more preparation you have with them, the better they can navigate the world on their own. These small but impactful steps can make all the difference when your child is first starting to learn what it’s like to be independent.

Editor’s note: Olga Phillips founded Phoenix-based nonprofit Phillips Law Foundation in 2022. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.