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CAR SAFETY

Children should never be left alone in a car, not even to make a quick errand into a store or a friend’s house. It is illegal to do this (for more than 5 minutes if child is under 9 years old). Infants and children have been kidnapped when left alone in cars. Infants and small children can get very sick if left in a hot car for a short time.

Adults should not leave their car keys in the ignition (keep the car’s engine running) when leaving the car.

Drinking beer or alcohol or being under the influence of drugs while driving is against the law. Most fatal car crashes are the result of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

DRIVER'S LICENSE

A valid driver’s license is required to drive a moving vehicle (car, truck, van, etc.). Drivers must take a test to get a driver’s license. For more information on how to get a driver’s license, contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles. (See Resources in Hawaii section, driver's license.)

SEAT BELTS AND CAR SEATS

Hawaii law requires the use of a seat belt when driving or riding in a car.

Children 12 years old and younger cannot ride in the back of a pick-up truck. For more information, call Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition (KIPC) at 537-9200.

STREET SAFETY

Walk on the sidewalk at all times.

Teach children how to cross the street safely by using the crosswalk. Stop, listen, and look both ways (left and right) before stepping out to cross the street. Never run out from the curb into the crosswalk without first stopping and looking both ways.

At intersections with traffic lights, teach children the meaning of the signals.

HOME SAFETY

Teach children what an emergency is and how to call 9-1-1.

Place all dangerous items such as cleaning products, matches, bleach, etc., where children cannot reach them. Dangerous products usually have a poisonous, flammable, or explosive symbol on the label. To keep younger children safe, it is important to put child guard locks on cabinets or place dangerous items on high shelves where children cannot reach them.

If you think your child has swallowed a poison, contact the Hawaii Poison Center at (808) 941-4411 or the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 1-800-222-1222.

Keep matches, butane lighters, candles, and flammable liquids out of reach of children.

CRIME PREVENTION

Teach children not to take candy or presents from people they don’t know.

Teach children about the dangers of drugs, beer, alcohol, and smoking. In Hawaii, it is illegal for a child to possess illegal drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes. (See Hawaii Laws section.)

Teach children to respect public areas. Vandalism (damaging public property) and graffiti (spray painting on public signs, writing on walls, etc.) are against the law.

Parents are legally responsible for the actions of their children under 18 years old.

BULLIES

Question: What is a bully?

Answer: Someone who is mean, hitting, fighting, bossy, makes you do things you don’t want to do, talks bad about you, etc. Sometimes a bully is part of a gang. tips:

If your child is being bullied:

• Talk to your child if you think he or she is being bullied at school.
• Don’t blame the child who is being bullied.
• Teach your child how to walk away from the bully or gang and ask an adult for help.
• Talk to the school principal, teacher, or counselor if your child is being bullied.
• Do not encourage physical retaliation (“just hit them back”) as a solution.

Children who bully their peers tend to be more hot-headed, be easily frustrated, have difficulty following rules, lack feeling for what other people feel (empathy), and view violence in a positive way.

If your child is bullying others:

• Make it clear to your child that this behavior will not be tolerated.
• Develop clear and consistent rules within your family – praise the child for non-physical, nonhostile actions.
• Spend more time with your child and monitor his or her activities and friends.
• Build on your child’s talents and encourage him or her to get involved in pro-social activities (such as clubs, music, non-violent sports, etc.).
• Share your concerns with your child’s teacher, counselor, and/or principal. Work together with them.

SEX ASSAULT PREVENTION

Sex assault is a concern for many parents.

Here are some things children can be taught:

• No one has the right to touch them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. Their body belongs to them.
• They have the right to say “no” to any type of touch they don’t like.
• If someone touches them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable, they should tell a trusted adult and keep telling until someone helps them.
• It is okay to ask questions about safe and unsafe touches.
• If unsafe touching should happen, it is NEVER their fault.