Child Safety and Awareness Courtesy of Sensei Anthony Arango
PLAY DATE SAFETY
Here’s material from a great flyer that Sensei Anthony Arango has created to distribute to parents
during child-safety seminars and other events at the school.
Every parent has heard the term “play date” and has probably 
let their child go on one. The routine is usually the same. Your child comes
home from school and says, “My friend Sarah or John wants me to come over
tomorrow after school for a play date. Can I go?” Your response goes something
like this: “I’ll talk to or call Sarah or John’s mom or dad and see if it’s all
right. My question to you is: “How well do you know the family and their home?”
We want our children to first be same and then have a great time. Here are some questions to which you must
know the answers before your child participates in a play date.
- Have you ever been to or in your child’s friend’s home? Do they have a swimming pool? Do they live on the water? Are there steep stairs and/or safety railings? How well are they going to be supervised?
- Are any members of the family in law enforcement, where there may be firearms in the home? No child should get hold of an unsecured gun, as accidents can happen.
- Do they have any pets? Dogs, cats, parrots, snakes…. Oh my! Remember that any new person coming into a home is a stranger to any pet, and also consider this matter if your child has allergies.
- Older siblings—Do they have any, and what are they like? Are their friends going to be over also?
We want our children to have a great time with their friends, but our responsibility is always to make sure they will be safe. Would
you lend your car to a person you don’t really know? What about your child? Make safety your first priority.
For more information about child safety, visit http://www.arangowarrior.com.
