Children need to know what to do when they are away from you. Talk with your children and tell them what to expect when they are not under your watchful eyes. Here are some thoughts.

 Emergency Plan
You need to work out a plan in case your children have an emergency or an illness away from home. At school, they will be allowed to call you. But they may need alternative plans if you cannot be reached. Give them other people to call in case of an emergency. And tell them what to do if something goes wrong. For example, if you have car trouble and cannot pick up a child on time, tell them where to wait until you get there. If their plans change, you need a system to know how to get in touch with them. A basic rule is simply to have them call you and alert you to any changes. Always double check.

Bikes and Helmets
They go together always, whether your children are in your yard or miles from home. Helmets prevent injuries and death. A study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that each year more than 138,00 children ages 14 and under have head injuries from bicycle accidents. The study also found that fewer than 10 percent of all cyclists wear helmets. Talk with your children about why they need to wear a helmet. Wear one and set a good example. Give them some kind of a reward for wearing a helmet. Encourage their friends to wear helmets, even when they are riding on sidewalks, bike paths and driveways.

In the car
From the moment your baby comes home from the hospital, your child needs to be protected from injury in the car. Years ago people drove around with their children sitting in their laps, but no more. It is deadly and dangerous. The needs and requirements to keep children safe in your car vary according to their age and size. And different states may have different laws. What pediatricians and safety experts recommend is as follows: Newborns up to 20 pounds - They should ride in a safety seat that faces to the rear. It can be a seat designed only for infants or one that can be converted later for larger children. If the baby’s head moves around too much, place towels or pads around the head to give support. Children 20 to 40 pounds (or about age 4) - They should ride in a safety seat facing forward. Children 40 to 60 pounds - At this size they can use a booster seat. (If not, they must use a seat belt.) Children 60 pounds and over - They should be buckled into seat belts and shoulder straps, if available. In North Carolina, all children under age four must ride in an appropriate car seat, whether it is an infant-only, convertible or booster seat. Children ages four to 11 must wear seat belts no matter where they are seated in the car. Children 12 and above are treated as adults, who are required by law to wear seat belts in the front seat.