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Child safety tips and news
Practical ideas we use with our own family, plus news as Mya'Shield gets closer to launch. Looking for something to print or pass on? See our free shareables.
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Bonfire Night safety for families: fireworks, sparklers and busy displays
Bonfire Night is Thursday 5 November. Sparkler rules for kids, the firework code for home displays, and how to stay together at a busy public display.
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Keeping kids safe in cold weather: layers, hypothermia signs and frozen water
How to dress children for the cold, the signs of hypothermia in children and babies, what to do, and why frozen ponds and lakes are never safe to walk on.
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Secrets vs surprises: one simple rule for kids
Surprises are fun. Secrets that make you feel worried are always OK to tell. How to explain the difference to children, and who their trusted adults are.
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What age can a child walk to school alone?
There's no set age to walk to school alone in the UK or US. What the NSPCC suggests, signs your child is ready, and how to practise the route together.
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What age can a child be left home alone?
There's no legal age in the UK, but the law is clear about risk. What the NSPCC advises, how US state rules differ, and how to tell if your child is ready.
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What age should a child get a phone?
What other families do, the questions to ask before you buy, and the options that sit between no phone and a smartphone.
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Drowning is silent: what every parent should know about water safety
Drowning rarely looks like it does in films. What it really looks like, why young children are most at risk, and the habits that keep them safe in and around water.
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Heat exhaustion and heatstroke in children: signs and what to do
Children heat up faster than adults. The signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke in children, how to cool them down, and when to call for help.
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Never leave a child in a car: how fast cars heat up, and the habits that help
Parked cars heat up fast, and opening a window doesn't help. What the research shows, why children are at greater risk, and simple habits that stop it happening.
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What to do if your child goes missing in a public place
Lost sight of your child in a shop, park or crowd? The first steps that matter most, from what to tell staff to when to call the police.
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What to teach your child to do if they get lost
Simple rules children can remember if they're separated from you, from who to ask for help to why staying put works.
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How to create a family code word your child will actually use
A family code word helps your child know who's really been sent to collect them. How to choose one, practise it and keep it secret.
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Trust the uh-oh feeling: teaching kids it's OK to say no to adults
Kids are taught to be polite to adults. Here's why they also need permission to say no, loudly, when something feels wrong, and how to practise it.
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Why "stranger danger" isn't enough, and what to teach instead
Child safety experts have moved on from "stranger danger". What's wrong with it, and the simple safety rules that work better for kids.
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Keeping kids safe in crowds: theme parks, festivals and busy shops
A simple checklist for busy days out with children, from what to do before you arrive to what to do if you get separated.
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How to help your child learn your phone number (without the tears)
Phones remember numbers for us, but children still need yours. Simple, fun ways to help kids learn your phone number, and when to start.
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How to choose a child safety device: 8 questions to ask before you buy
GPS trackers, tags and kids' watches all promise peace of mind. Eight honest questions to ask before you choose a child safety device.
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Bluetooth tags vs GPS trackers for kids: what parents should know
AirTag-style tags and GPS trackers work very differently. A plain-English look at both, and why Apple itself says AirTags aren't meant for tracking people.
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A trick-or-treat safety plan for families
Costumes drivers can see, a route and a home-by time, ground rules for older kids, and checking the sweets when you get home.
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Why we built Mya'Shield
Mariessa and Evan on why they started building an early alert child safety device for their own family, and why they decided to share it.
