Category: Parenting

College is your children’s first real taste of independence. Although autonomy is exciting, it can also be scary. Once your kids move out of their comfort zones and exit the safety bubble your home provides, they must rely primarily on themselves for everything, especially protection. Can your children stay out of harm’s way?

As a parent, you must train your children about personal safety before pursuing their studies. Experience is the best teacher, but some lessons are better to learn theoretically than firsthand.

Most Common Crimes College Students Fall Victim to

Forcible sexual offenses and property crimes are the most prevalent illegal activities in postsecondary educational institutions. Rape and fondling account for 44% of reported on-campus crimes, victimizing women at a higher rate than men.

Regarding property crimes, college students are vulnerable to burglary and motor vehicle theft. Aggravated assault and arson are also causes for concern within school premises.

Off-campus, your children are susceptible to vehicular accidents, regardless of whether they drink, drive or both. While gun violence occurs less in college than in high school, mass shootings are nevertheless not unheard of.

5 Safety Tips to Give Your Incoming College Freshmen

Exposure to physical danger is an unfortunate consequence of leaving the nest for college. It’s unavoidable because even the safest campuses in the United States can never guarantee zero crime incidence at all times. Smarten your kids up with these five pieces of sage advice to protect themselves from any conceivable threats in college.

1.   Be Aware of School Amenities and Services

Colleges and universities deter crime by observing various precautions to keep student bodies safe. Many use a combination of access control systems, video surveillance cameras, alarms and automatic illuminators. Many also have emergency buttons that immediately contact 911 when pressed.

Academic organizations may collaborate with the local police department to prevent crime. Law enforcement officers may offer late-night transportation to students living off campus or escort those who feel unsafe walking alone after dark.

While schools may have bars on campus, most have substance use policies to regulate alcohol consumption and ban drugs, including medical marijuana, on college or university property. Many states permit educational institutions to decide whether to allow students and staff to carry concealed weapons on campus grounds.

Your children may learn everything they need to know about campus security during student orientation. However, you should also be aware of them to help your kids maximize them for their personal safety.

2.   Walk With Confidence

Criminals and bullies usually go after vulnerable individuals because they avoid resistance as much as possible. They typically prey on the meek and assured to get away with their malicious acts unscathed.

Perception is everything. Remind your children to observe proper posture and demonstrate confident body language to communicate their strength to others. They can project self-assuredness by keeping their heads up, scanning the area when walking and making casual eye contact. Tell your kids to keep their eyes off their electronics when moving to be aware of the surroundings.

Confidence is one thing — cautiousness is another. Tell your kids never to put themselves in a disadvantageous situation, no matter how much they believe in their abilities. Staying in well-lit and populated areas is wise because there’s safety in brightness and strength in numbers.

3.   Be Mindful of All Belongings

Leaving valuables unattended is a rookie mistake. Advise your children to safeguard their possessions, especially if losing them would make college life more challenging. Thieves love targeting bikes, laptops, smartphones and textbooks. Cybersecurity also becomes a major concern because devices hold a wealth of personal data, opening students up to potential identify theft and the compromising of online accounts.

4.   Don’t Overshare Online

Digital natives may not value privacy as much as the older generations because young adults grew up using social media.

As a person who knew life before the internet, you should remind your children to avoid treating Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and X as a journal. Posting life updates can be dangerous because of lurking cyberstalkers.

Cyberstalking can be benign. However, dubious people may dig up any information on your kids for whatever nefarious reason.

It’s better to be safe than sorry, so warn your children against updating the world on their routine, plans and location. If they want to share their thoughts online, highly encourage them to use their privacy settings accordingly to filter out prying eyes on social media.

5.   Notify Others of Their Whereabouts

Tell your kids to keep a trusted person in the loop about where they’re going, especially when they may spend some time with a stranger in an enclosed space. It doesn’t have to be you — it can be a close friend or a respected mentor. If something happens, a concerned individual can contact the authorities and provide them with a lead to find and rescue them as soon as possible.

Instill the Importance of Personal Safety in Your Children

Your kids are on their own when they begin their college life. You can’t always protect them at all times once they leave the nest, so impart practical personal safety advice to them while they still live with you.

Author bio:  Cora Gold is the Editor-in-Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. She strives to live a happy and healthy life with her family by her side.
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Teaching kids basic first aid is a valuable life skill that can make a difference in an emergency. Whether at home, in school, or out playing, accidents can happen at any time, and knowing how to respond can help them stay calm and assist others effectively.

While they may not be ready for advanced medical interventions, kids can learn key first aid principles that empower them to handle minor injuries and know when to get help. Here are five crucial tips to teach your kids about first aid, along with a recommendation for CPR Training to enhance their emergency preparedness.

1. Teach the Importance of Staying Calm

One of the most important lessons for kids when it comes to first aid is the importance of staying calm in an emergency. In high-stress situations, it’s easy to panic, but panic can make things worse, especially if someone is injured. Kids should understand that, even if they’re frightened, taking deep breaths and staying calm helps them think clearly and act appropriately.

Practice calmness by role-playing different scenarios at home. For example, if a sibling falls and scrapes their knee, walk your child through the steps of staying calm, assessing the situation, and providing comfort. Reinforce that they should avoid rushing into action before making sure the area is safe and they’re able to help effectively.

2. Teach Basic Injury Care (Cuts, Scrapes, and Burns)

Minor injuries like cuts, scrapes, and burns are common, especially with active kids. It’s important for children to know how to respond to these situations promptly and safely.

• Cuts and Scrapes: Show them how to clean a wound with water, gently dry it, and apply an antiseptic. Make sure they know how to cover the wound with a bandage to protect it from infection. Emphasize the importance of washing their hands before treating any wound to avoid further contamination.

• Burns: Teach your child to recognize the difference between a minor burn (like a sunburn or a small kitchen burn) and a more serious one. For minor burns, running the burn under cool water for several minutes is often effective. Ensure they know never to apply ice directly to a burn, as it can make the injury worse.

Always reinforce that, for anything more serious, they should call an adult or emergency services immediately.

3. Teach How to Identify and Handle a Choking Hazard

Choking is a frightening experience for both kids and adults but teaching kids how to recognize the signs of choking and how to respond can be lifesaving. Instruct them to remain calm if they see someone choking, and immediately encourage the person to cough or spit out whatever is obstructing their airway.

For older children, you can teach the basics of performing the Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts). This technique involves applying pressure to the abdomen to help expel an object from the airway. It’s important to note that children under the age of 5 should not perform the Heimlich maneuver themselves but should be taught to alert an adult or call 911 for help.

Additionally, consider enrolling your child in a CPR training course. CPR often includes choking management, and learning these life-saving skills at an early age can empower children to act decisively in an emergency.

4. Teach How to Handle Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds are common and can be alarming, but they’re often easy to manage. Teach your kids to stay calm and follow these steps:

1. Sit Up Straight: Have them sit up to avoid blood running down their throat.
2. Pinch the Nose: Gently pinch both nostrils together for 10–15 minutes without letting go. Instruct them to breathe through their mouth during this time.
3. Apply a Cool Compress: If the bleeding persists, applying a cool compress to the back of the neck or the nose can help constrict blood vessels and stop the flow.

It’s also helpful to remind your child that if a nosebleed lasts for more than 30 minutes, or if it’s caused by an injury, they should seek medical attention.

5. Teach the Importance of Knowing When to Get Help

Kids should be taught that while they can handle small injuries and first aid tasks, they should always know when to ask for help. This can include getting an adult or calling 911 in cases of:

• Severe injuries like large cuts, fractures, or head trauma.
• Severe allergic reactions or difficulty breathing.
• Symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.
• Any situation where they feel unsure or scared.

Empower your children to be confident in seeking help when needed and encourage them to remember the emergency number for their area. Role-playing these scenarios with your child can make them more comfortable with the process.

Enhance First Aid Skills with CPR Training

Teaching your children the basics of first aid is an essential part of their development. These skills give them confidence to react in emergency situations, whether at home, on the playground, or with friends. In addition to these basic first aid tips, enrolling your child in CPR training will provide them with the life-saving knowledge to help in more serious emergencies, such as heart attacks or drowning incidents.

CPR training can make a significant difference in critical situations, and many programs offer courses tailored to children, focusing on basic skills appropriate for their age. Knowing how to perform CPR and how to manage choking or other medical emergencies can help your child feel empowered, responsible, and ready to make a difference in a crisis.

Teaching kids about first aid not only prepares them for the unexpected but also fosters a sense of confidence and responsibility, equipping them with life skills they will carry with them throughout their lives.

Did you know that one in four Americans wants to create a will or trust soon, according to Ipsos Consumer Tracker research? A trust will secure your legacy and provide your loved ones and beneficiaries access to your assets without the legal problems that usually come with an estate.

On average, it takes two years to release a complex asset from probate, while even simple wills might take six months to go through the process.

So, do you really need an attorney to create a trust? While it’s technically possible to create a trust on your own using online forms, law firm Thomas & Webber suggests having an attorney can help you avoid mistakes, make sure your assets are properly included, and ensure that the trust complies with state laws.

Find out how having professional guidance can give you peace of mind that your trust will safeguard your assets for the future.

Understanding Trust Formation Process

To legally establish and execute your wishes while creating a trust without an attorney, you must understand the trust creation procedure. Decide what kind of trust you want. A revocable trust can be changed during your lifetime, but an irrevocable trust cannot. Knowing your options is vital. The ability to establish a trust is a significant component when making a will and trust to effectively manage your assets and their distribution.

You should also appoint a trustee to manage the trust per your instructions. This person needs to be reliable and financially responsible. After choosing a trustee, define the trust terms. Provide instructions for asset management and distribution to beneficiaries.

The trust document must be signed and notarized by state law to be binding.

Benefits of Hiring an Attorney

Hiring an attorney has a lot of benefits. But, before you finally hire an attorney, take advantage of scheduling an appointment with a trust lawyer offering free consultation. This move ensures that you can assess the lawyer’s capacity before hiring or retaining him or her.

Having an attorney means having someone who will make sure that your trust is correctly established and executed and that the trust meets your goals and state regulations. Your attorney can also construct the trust document precisely, avoiding future disagreements and legal issues.

Having an attorney can provide you with peace of mind that your assets and wishes are protected by law and that your trust will work as planned.

Risks of DIY Trust Creation

If you choose to establish your trust without legal guidance, you may commit errors that may have unwanted repercussions or, worse, invalidate the trust. You may miss important information or introduce unenforceable provisions without an attorney.

An attorney can customize the trust to meet your estate planning goals. Insufficient trust money is another common issue. Incorrectly transferring assets into the trust can reduce its efficacy and negate its purpose.

An attorney can help reduce these risks and provide you with peace of mind that your trust is properly constituted and legal.

Factors Influencing Attorney Requirement

If your assets are straightforward, such as a single home and a savings account, you might be able to create a simple trust on your own.

If you have a broad portfolio, business interests, or assets in multiple states, you should get legal assistance. Complex assets make it more probable that an attorney can assist you in creating a trust. An attorney can appropriately establish conditional payouts, charity donations, and special needs considerations in your trust.

Legal practitioners can also advise on tax consequences, challenges, and state-specific trust legislation. You can decide whether you need an attorney based on the complexity of your assets and trust provisions.

Making an Informed Decision

Your comfort in dealing with legal matters and your willingness to invest time and effort can help you decide whether to create a trust without an attorney. As mentioned, your primary consideration is the complexity of your assets. You should also assess your knowledge and abilities to manage state trust laws.

You should also compare the financial savings of DIY to the risks of mistakes that could lead to legal issues. Assess your confidence in creating trust autonomously using internet resources and self-help tools.

If you choose not to hire a lawyer, you might not receive trusted financial advice. By considering these issues and being honest about your abilities, you can confidently decide whether creating a trust without an attorney is best for you.

Conclusion

Having an attorney is really recommended if you want to establish a trust. An attorney can assist you in constructing the trust to match your goals and reduce the possibility of future errors or issues. DIY may be appealing, but expert help outweighs the risks.

Many children want to learn to swim. Sometimes, they need a little extra encouragement or a greater sense of security to acquire the confidence to swim. Parents often try to make their children swim with floaties first. Although floaties can make them feel more secure in water, there are safety implications that parents should know about.

As you’ll learn in swim school, you may encounter various opinions on the use of floaties and their effectiveness, but here is what you should keep in mind to make an informed decision:

Understanding Floaties & Safety Concerns

Floaties are colorful inflatable devices worn on the arms or around the waist that can help you stay afloat. These devices are cute and come in varying sizes, providing a sense of security to the swimmer.

However, they are not a substitute for proper swim instruction or supervision. Swimmers can still make dangerous mistakes even while wearing floaties. The safety concerns around floaties are not necessarily the devices themselves but the child’s overall behavior while using them. Here are some plausible scenarios that make floaties risky:

False Sense of Security

The main concern surrounding floaties is that they often create a false sense of security for children and their parents.

Picture this: your child starts believing they can swim independently because they have floaties. This confidence might make them take unnecessary risks, such as venturing further into deeper water without adequate skills.

Depending on where the child is swimming, waves or currents can make the situation dangerous. The child might even take off their floaties, thinking they can manage without them.

Inadequate Supervision

Some parents rely too heavily on floaties, believing it means their child is always safe. This cannot be further from the truth. Children must always be supervised in the water whether they are using floaties or not.

Accidents can occur at any time. In the water, they happen fast. Floaties do not guarantee safety in the water and using them does not mean that you should relax and believe your child is safe.

Potential for Deflation or Damage

All floaties can deflate easily or get damaged with rough use or exposure to sharp objects. Maybe your child has a bracelet or sharp toy that punctures their floaties.

If the floaties fail and the child is in the water, they can panic, leading to a dangerous situation. Panic is the main contributor to drowning accidents.

Swim Lessons Are Key

The best way for children to remain safe in the water is by taking proper swimming lessons. Kids learn in swim school to not only use swimming devices but also to swim on their own. They will learn essential skills such as floating, treading water, and other swimming techniques.

Floating, for example, is a crucial skill in swimming since it allows you to rest when you are too tired to swim. Learning various swimming techniques is crucial to understanding how to navigate the water in different circumstances and stay safe.

These lessons are invaluable for building confidence and ensuring that children can handle themselves in various water situations that would otherwise be deadly. For example, when facing big waves that break before they hit you, you should never attempt to jump them.

The force of the wave is so powerful it will spin and drag you underwater. When you resurface, you’ll be too tired to swim and another wave will come to tire you out further. Instead, the best thing to do is to know how to swim underwater and hold your breath. Go beneath the wave and avoid its primary force. This and other valuable lessons can be taught in swimming schools to children of various ages. These skills and knowledge will be applicable throughout their lives.

Alternatives to Floaties

If you are a parent who still wants to rely on floaties, always make sure that your child does not have something sharp with them with which they can potentially deflate the floaties. Always keep a watchful eye on them and do not let them get too far away from you. Ensure that the floaties are fit for their age and size and are properly inflated before use.

If you don’t want to use floaties, consider other flotation devices. Some other devices can be safer, such as:

U.S Coast Guard-Approved Life Jackets

U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets provide safety in various water conditions. They are far superior to floaties as they provide more reliable buoyancy. Look for the label and approval number to check if the life jacket is approved.

It’s usually inside the vest and it indicates that the jacket has been tested for performance. Children’s life jackets come in various sizes indicating the floating weight. They can be harnessed so that even if the child swims aggressively or there are waves present, the jacket will generally stay in place and keep them safe. The adjustable belts will ensure that your child is tightly secure and comfortable.

Swim Belts

Swim belts are an excellent device for children who want more freedom in the water. These devices help with buoyancy and can be used to teach proper swimming techniques and form. Although they can still come off, their main purpose is to teach children to swim rather than just stay afloat.

Whether you want to buy floaties for your children or use other devices, keep in mind that they always must be supervised when they are in the water since no device can guarantee absolute safety. Consider taking your children to swimming classes and letting them develop the necessary skills to enjoy this activity and get some peace of mind while they’re in the water.