10 Basic Safety Rules for Kids Every Parent Should Teach

Every parent wants their child to be safe at home, at school and out in the world. You can't be next to your child every second, but you can teach them simple rules that help them make smart choices. Kids as young as 3 can start learning these rules, and practice makes them stick.

Here are 10 basic safety rules for kids, plus tips on how to teach them in a way that feels calm and not scary.

1. Know your name, phone number and address

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children says to teach children their full name, address and home phone number. Make sure they also know your full name, not just "Mommy" or "Daddy," and how to reach your cell phone. It helps to teach one more number too, like a grandparent or an aunt.

Turn it into a game. Say it in the car, sing it to a tune your child knows, or practice on a toy phone.

2. Check first before you go anywhere

Your child should always ask you or the adult in charge before going anywhere with anyone. This means not getting in a car, leaving the park or going into someone's house without asking first. This rule works for everyone, not just strangers.

Tell your child that you will never send someone they don't know to pick them up. If a person says "your mom sent me," your child should say no and go tell a trusted adult.

3. Teach "tricky people," not just "stranger danger"

NCMEC's KidSmartz program says "stranger danger" is not the best lesson, because young kids have a hard time knowing who a stranger is. Most strangers are nice people. Instead, teach your child to spot tricky actions. A grown up who asks a child for help, offers candy, toys or a ride, or asks them to keep a secret is acting in a tricky way.

A good rule is: do not take food, treats or gifts from anyone unless you check with your parent first.

4. Don't open the door when you're home alone

If someone knocks and a grown up is not with them, your child should not open the door. They should get an adult or call one. Our song Don't Open The Door To Strangers teaches this rule. When a stranger knocks while mommy penguin is away, the little penguins don't open the door and call an adult instead.

5. If you get lost, stop and stay put

Getting lost in a store or park is scary for a child. Kidpower says that most of the time, a lost child should stay where they are so their grown ups can find them. Teach your child to stop, stand still "like the trunk of a tree," look around and yell your name loudly. Tell them it's OK to yell, even inside a store.

If they need help, NCMEC says to look for a police officer in uniform, a store worker with a name tag, or a mom or dad with children. Before you go somewhere busy, show your child the store workers and pick a meeting spot.

Our song I Got Lost shows a little penguin who follows a butterfly and can't find his mom. The butterfly helps him take deep breaths, stay in one spot and call for his mom until she finds him.

6. Your body belongs to you

The American Academy of Pediatrics says to teach children the real names for all body parts, according to this summary. The parts covered by a swimsuit are private. No one should look at or touch them without a good reason, like a parent helping with a bath or a doctor checkup with a parent there.

Explain the difference between OK touches and not OK touches. A not OK touch is one that hurts, touches private parts, or makes your child feel scared or confused. Tell your child they can always say no, get away and tell you. The AAP also says not to force hugs or kisses, even with family. A high five or a wave is fine.

7. No secrets from Mom and Dad

Teach your child the difference between a surprise and a secret. A surprise, like a birthday gift, is fun and gets shared soon. A secret that makes them feel bad or confused is never OK to keep. NCMEC says children should tell a parent or trusted adult right away if someone asks them to keep a secret or makes them feel uncomfortable. Let your child know they will never be in trouble for telling you.

8. Know how to call 911

The Cleveland Clinic says around age 4 is a good time to start teaching kids how to call 911. Teach them to say "nine one one," not "nine eleven." Explain what an emergency is, like someone who won't wake up, a fire, or someone who can't breathe. If another safe adult is nearby, they should tell that adult first. Practice with a toy phone and remind them that 911 is not for games.

Our songs about Police Officers and Firefighters help kids see these helpers as friends they can trust.

9. Matches and lighters are for grown ups

Young children are curious about fire. Preschoolers and kindergartners are the ones most likely to start fires by playing with matches and lighters, says this fire safety tip sheet. Keep matches and lighters locked up and out of reach. Teach your child that if they find matches or a lighter, they should not touch them and should tell an adult right away. Make sure your home has working smoke alarms and practice a fire escape plan together.

10. Stay away from water unless a grown up is with you

The American Academy of Pediatrics says drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 4, and it can happen in just an inch or two of water. It is fast and quiet. Teach your child to never go near a pool, pond, hot tub or bathtub without a grown up. Pools should have a fence at least 4 feet high on all 4 sides with a gate that closes and latches by itself.

This same idea works for fences in general. If a ball goes over a fence or into a pool area, your child should ask an adult to get it, not climb after it.

Tips for teaching safety rules

• Keep it calm. Talk about safety the same way you talk about brushing teeth. You want your child to feel ready, not scared.
• Practice with "what if" games. NCMEC says the more children practice, the better they will do in a real emergency. Ask, "What would you do if you got lost at the store?"
• Use songs. Kids remember songs much better than lectures. You can find many more kids videos on our music page.
• Repeat often. Go over the rules before trips, new places and busy events.
• Keep talking. Make sure your child knows they can tell you anything.

Safety at home matters for babies too. Read our posts on why babies put everything in their mouths and fall prevention in toddlers.

Questions Parents Ask About Kids Safety Rules

What are the most important safety rules for kids?

Start with these: know your name, phone number and address. Always check with a parent before going anywhere. Don't open the door when home alone. If you get lost, stop and stay put. Your body belongs to you. Never go near water without a grown up.

At what age should I start teaching safety rules?

You can start simple rules around age 3, like staying close in a store and knowing their name. Around age 4, you can start teaching how to call 911. Add more rules as your child grows.

How do I teach my child about strangers without scaring them?

Instead of saying all strangers are bad, teach your child to watch for tricky actions. A grown up should not ask a child for help, offer them treats or rides, or ask them to keep secrets. Keep your voice calm and practice with simple "what if" games.

What should my child do if they get lost?

Teach them to stop, stay where they are and yell your name. If they need help, they can ask a store worker with a name tag, a police officer or a mom with kids. Pick a meeting spot before you go somewhere busy.

How can I help my child remember my phone number?

Say it often, sing it to a simple tune, and practice dialing it on a toy phone. Some parents also write their number on a bracelet or a card in their child's pocket for trips to busy places.

How do I teach my child body safety?

Use the real names for body parts. Explain that the parts covered by a swimsuit are private. Teach them that they can say no to any touch that feels wrong, and that they should always tell you, even if someone asked them to keep it a secret.

This post is for general information only. It is not medical or legal advice. If you have concerns about your child's safety, please talk to your child's doctor or local authorities.