Before and after school, keeping your family safe

My mother, a single mom of 4 children, had her hands full working two jobs and raising 4 kids without family nearby to help out. On top of that, me (the middle child), was always on go; curious by everything, and danced to the beat of my own drum.  

When we'd go out in public to crowded places...yes I was the child that had the fancy bracelet on, you know,  the one that connects to your mom’s fancy bracelet. 😁

People would stare and say things under their breath, but my mom did not care.  My safety was her number one priority and she didn't want to risk her toddler taking off when she turned her head for a split second.

Neighborhood Safety

Kids should be able to go outside, enjoy their neighborhoods, and walk safely to and from school or the bus stop - but there's always a risk knowing not everyone will look out for them like you. The safest of neighborhoods still have a level of danger. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), nearly 800,000 children are reported missing each year. That's more than 2,000 a day.  

A recent analysis of five years worth of data from the NCMEC found that children are most likely to be the victim of abduction when they are walking to and from school or school-related events.

Among the reported trends:

* 38 percent of attempted abductions occurred while a child was walking to or from school, riding a school bus or riding a bicycle.

* 37 percent occurred between 2 and 7 p.m. on a weekday.

* 43 percent involved children ages 10 through 14.

* 72 percent of attempted abduction victims were female.

Kids must stay alert and understand what it takes to stay safe. Parents can help kids stay safe by going over basic rules and safety tips, as well as helping them get to know the ins and outs of their neighborhood.

Using Technology for Child Safety 

As parents, we always want to be there with our children - but all too often our work schedules get in the way.  How can parents be at two places at once?  What can we do in addition to teaching our children safety when walking to and from school?

For families, technology can provide an extra layer of security or peace of mind:

My Buddy Tag: The wearable wristband that can help prevent both lost children and accidental drowning.   

Life360: With Life360, just open the app and instantly see the location of everyone in your private circle on the map. You can also message the whole group at once or privately.  

Footprints:You can use this app to track your children in real time and also to find out where they've been recently. The app lets you set up geofences – your child's school, for example – and notifies you if those fences are crossed.

No matter the age our kids are at, as a parent, our first priority is safety; just like my Mom strapping me to her wrist! We want to shield them from the bad and expose them to the good of this world.

At Care Commute, we take pride knowing that our after school transportation service provides a safeguard for children that would otherwise walk to and from school. We realize that danger exists and enjoy being part of the solution.