Learning Materials
Below are a few important lessons that we believe children should know by the time they turn five. It is very important for children to know their name, address, and a phone number—not necessarily their home number. Sometimes a parent’s cell phone is a better number to learn. Also knowing their parents first names can be helpful.
We have made these lessons available here so that you may read through them and do the activities at home with your children.
Pedestrian Safety
Stop, Look, and Listen
The first thing we do before crossing the street is STOP! Then we look to the left, to the right, and then to the left again. Even if the light is green, we always stop and look first. The turn right on red law on many corners presents an added danger, and the child should be extra cautious. Always walk quickly across the street, but NEVER run or stop in the middle of the street.
Traffic Signs & Signals
Teach the child to look at the light facing him because there are many intersections in a city where the child cannot see the lights that face the crosswalk he is using. Therefore, he must learn to use the one he can see. Go with the traffic: green means GO, yellow means slow down and prepare to stop, red means STOP, whether you are walking or driving. Stop signs mean stop for pedestrians and motorists.
Right or Left?
Walk facing traffic on the left and drive on the right side of the street. Always enter a car on the right side—the sidewalk side, not the street side. When walking through a parking lot, it is a good idea to hold hands with an adult. Cars don’t always see pedestrians and an adult can move a child out of the way quickly. Teach the children to look at the back lights of the cars. If they are red and white, it means the car is about to back up.
Download a Coloring Sheet:
Learn a song:
Watch a video:
Pedestrian Safety
Intersections & Crossing Safety
Pedestrian Safety
Parking Lot Safety
Riding in a Car
Children between the ages of 4 and 8 who use booster seats are almost 60 percent less likely to be injured in a car crash than children who are restrained by a safety belt alone. Children should begin using a booster seat once they grow out of their toddler seats, usually when they are around 4 years old and weigh about 40 pounds. They should remain in the booster seat until the lap and shoulder belt fits properly. This is usually when the child reaches about 4' 9" in height and is between 8 to 12 years of age.
For overall child passenger seat safety, keep these guidelines in mind:
Use rear-facing infant seats in the backseat from birth to at least one year of age and until the child is at least 20 pounds.
Use booster seats in the back seat from age 4 - 8, unless the child is 4’9”
or taller (which could be as old as 12)Use safety belts in the back seat at age 8 or older or if the child is taller
than 4’9”.Children should not sit in the front seat until they are at least 13
Booster Seats
Download a coloring sheet:
Learn a song:
Watch these passenger safety videos:
Bus Safety
Get to the bus stop early and wait quietly on the sidewalk.
Line up singe file to get on and off the bus – no pushing or shoving.
Stay at least 10 feet away from the front of the bus so the driver can see you at all times.
Always cross the street in front of the bus.
Sit back in your seat – Demonstrate how they can hurt themselves if the driver must stop too quickly.
Keep aisle clear – No books, boots, umbrellas, etc., go in the aisle. Someone could trip and fall.
Keep hands and head inside and NEVER put them outside the windows – If the bus gets too close to a big truck or tree, the children’s hands or head could get hurt very badly.
Download a coloring sheet:
Learn a song:
Watch a video on school bus safety:
Drivers do not always see bicyclists, so it is important to always be on the lookout for cars and practice smart bicycle safety.
Bicycle Safety
Wear a helmet at all times.
Wear lace-up shoes or closed-toe shoes, not flip-flops, to ride a bike.
Ride on the right-hand side of the street, just like a car.
Walk your bike across the street.
Follow the traffic signs just like a motorist.
Ride single-file when there is more than one person.
Watch out for turning cars and cars backing out of a driveway.
Cross only at the corner, just like a good pedestrian.
Ride a bike that is the correct size for you.
Take care of your bike—keep it in good working order and put it away when you are finished riding.
The Proper Helmet Fit
Helmets come in various sizes, just like hats. Size can vary between manufacturers. Follow the steps to fit a helmet properly. It may take time to ensure a proper helmet fit, but your life is worth it.
Download a coloring sheet:
Learn a song:
Watch a bike safety video:
Water Safety
Water can be fun but dangerous. It's important to practice water safety rules when swimming.
Swim with a buddy in a supervised area.
Follow the rules posted at a swimming pool.
If you get tired while swimming, don’t panic, just float on your back. Use slow, gentle motions and call for help if necessary.
Look before you leap into a lake or river when you can’t see the bottom.
Reach or throw—don’t go. If someone is having trouble in the water, get the lifeguard, throw them something to hold on to, but do not jump in to help them.
Don’t just pack it—wear your life jacket on a boat. It’s the law! Children twelve and under must wear a life jacket on a boat.
When there is thunder, always get out of the water immediately. Lightening is usually close by.
Wear sunscreen even if it is a cloudy day.
Download a coloring sheet:
Learn a song:
Fire Safety
It is very important to demonstrate and practice with children the correct way to react to a fire in their own home.
Stop, drop, and roll if your clothes catch on fire.
If there is a fire, crawl on the ground under the smoke to escape.
If there is a fire in your house, do not hide—go outside.
Dial 9-1-1 from a neighbor’s house if there is a fire.
Never play with matches.
Do not play near an open fire.
Have a smoke detector and demonstrate how it sounds and what to do when it goes off.
Make sure that there is at least one window that can be opened in each upstairs room, in case that is the only way out. If there is smoke outside a bedroom door, and the door is hot, children should put something under the opening at the bottom of the door, turn on their light and go to their window so someone will see them.
Download a coloring sheet:
Learn a song:
Watch a fire safety video:
Railroad Safety
When the lights are flashing and the bar is down (if there is a bar) you must STOP. There is a fine if you go around the bar or do not stop, even if you cannot see a train approaching.
A railroad cross buck is just like a stop sign. Cars must come to a stop even if a train is not coming.
Never play on or near a railroad track. Even if the driver sees us, he will not have time to stop.
Never put anything on the track. It could come back and hit you or make the train come off the track.
Never play in an empty railroad car.
Download a coloring sheet:
Learn a song:
Watch a railroad safety video:
Strangers & Tricky People
It really helps to role-play situations with your child so they will learn how to react properly.
Always check first with your parents if someone wants to take you somewhere or give you something. If there is not a safe adult around to ask, the answer is always no.
Never go anywhere with someone you do not know.
Never go into someone’s home without a parent’s permission.
Do not let strangers get any closer than two arms lengths away so they cannot grab you.
Never approach a person in a car that is asking you for help—safe adults will ask other adults to help them if they have a real problem.
Never open a door for someone you do not know.
Never tell someone on the phone you are home alone.
If someone grabs you, kick, scream, bite, and draw attention to the situation. Yell, “This is not my parent!”
It is okay to say NO to an adult if they make you feel scared or uncomfortable.
Never keep secrets if it makes you feel uneasy. Adults should not ask children to keep a secret.
If you get separated from your parents in a store, go to the checkout counter and ask for help. Another idea is to find another adult with small children and ask them for help. That comes in handy in an outdoor area or mall.
Download a coloring sheet:
Learn a song:
Home Safety
Make sure that children know things such as their address and phone number, the importance of gun safety, and how to respect animals.
Discuss the importance of staying out of the medicine cabinet and away from things kept under the kitchen sink or in the garage.
Children should only take medicine from a trusted adult.
Do not leave toys where someone could trip over them.
No throwing rocks on a playground or in the yard.
Be safe when playing! Don’t be a daredevil, always have a buddy, and don’t go in unfamiliar areas, construction zones, or alleyways.
Stay away from electrical outlets.
Always practice with children what to do in case of a tornado siren.
Name, Address & Phone Number
One of the most important safety lessons you can teach your child is their name, phone number and address. Many children go by a nickname (“Chipmunk”) and never know their real name until they are older. By the age of 5, your child should know their full name (first and last name) and also the names of their parents. (Your names are not Mom and Dad, but some children do not understand that). They should also be able to memorize their phone number and address. The children should understand that this information is to be given out to someone in case of an emergency like if they are lost or have been in an accident.
If you have a child with special needs or one who is very shy and tends to shut down when they are put on the spot you can teach them to type out the number on a smartphone or learn to write it down on paper.
Download an activity worksheet:
Learn a song:
Gun Safety
From a very early age children should be taught that guns are not toys and how important it is to never touch a gun. Children are curious, and if they find a gun in the house their first reaction is going to be to pick it up and maybe even try to pull the trigger. That is when horrible accidents can happen. Children should be taught to “STOP, DON’T TOUCH, RUN AWAY AND TELL AN ADULT” if they find or see a gun. Teach your child to never try to take a gun away from another child. They may think they are being safe, but that will only lead to trouble.
If a parent is going to raise their child to enjoy hunting, before that first trip ever happens the parent should have a very serious conversation about gun safety with the child and when available, enroll that child in a gun safety course.
Don’t be afraid to ask another parent if they keep guns in their house before you allow your child to go over for a play date. If they do, make sure they keep them locked up.
Learn a song:
Watch a gun safety video:
Dog Bite Prevention
Dogs communicate differently than humans, dogs may misunderstand some actions of children. A dog may feel threatened by a child if they:
Run away from the dog
Try to hug a dog around the neck
Stare at the dog
Tease the dog
Play rough with a dog and pretend to fight with the dog
Yell or throw things at the dog
How to Meet A Dog
o Always ask permission to pet a dog.
o Let the dog sniff their closed hand.
o Slowly and gently pet the side of the dog’s neck. Do not pet on top of head.
Teach children to be safe with these two safety postures if they are approached by a dog.
Stand like a Tree
o Stand straight, feet together
o Make fists with hands and place under chin
o Do not stare at the dog
If the child is on the ground when a dog approaches they should:
Act Like a Log
o Lie face down, feet together
o Make fists with hands and place them behind their neck.
o Cover ears with forearms
Watch these dog safety videos:
Dialing 9-1-1
If your child knows their name, address, and phone number, they will be better prepared to call 911 in case of an emergency. Your child will not understand how to do this unless you show them and practice with them. At Safety Town we have a 911 simulator so the children can practice talking on the phone and learning to react when they hear the emergency operator answer and ask, “What is your emergency?” Many children will freeze and not say anything. They need to be able to give their name, address and phone number to the operator and also be able to tell them what the emergency is ( fire, someone is hurt, an accident, someone is trying to break into the house, etc.). Take the time to review this information with your child and practice (without actually making a call) to ensure they know what to do. You must also reinforce that 911 is never used to play on the phone or to call for non-emergencies (such as help with homework).
Download an activity worksheet:
Learn a song:
Watch a 9-1-1 Safety Video
Frequently, community agencies will come to your school to talk to children about safety, including:
Firefighters frequently have someone assigned to education and discussing fire safety. Call the main office to find out who that is.
Police Officers or the county Sherriff’s office will discuss home safety, car safety and strangers with children.
Union Pacific Railroad can send a representative to discuss railroad safety.
The Red Cross may have someone who can speak to your school about water safety and staying safe during violent weather.
AT&T can send a representative to discuss dialing 9-1-1 in an emergency.
The Attorney General’s office has several safety topics they can speak on depending on the age of the children. They also have free ID cards that can be given to the children with a photo and fingerprints.
MEMS or any ambulance company can speak about medical emergencies.
Call whoever handles your public school buses. They will often come speak to children about school bus safety.