Protecting Your Family: How to Make Sure That Your Loved Ones Stay Safe

It seems that threats against our loved ones are greater than ever before. Between online activity, deceptive marketing, and easy access to drugs and alcohol , the world can be a scary place. Here are a few simple solutions to help you to ensure that  your children and elderly relatives are safe. The reason we are focusing on these two groups is because they are often the most vulnerable.

CHILDREN

Talk and Listen to Your Kids
One thing that increases the chances of our children being at risk is us not being there. This is not in the sense of loving them, but in physically being there. By being there for your kids you can build their trust and really let them know how much you love them. Also, when you are there for them they may be more willing to open up to you and let you know what they are struggling with as well as what is going on in their lives.

Be Involved & Don’t Be Afraid to Intrude
It is always nice when people can have privacy, but children need guidance, and guidance cannot come without context. For this reason it is important to know what a child has on his her or computer, tablet, or even Kindle. E-Readers like the Kindle can be harboring pornography that children are getting for free, and many parents are clueless because they are thinking that if their child is reading it must be a good thing. Not all content is meant for children, and not all books are okay for young kids to have access to. It is an act of love to take the risk of your child hating you today so that they are safer. Sometimes the same can be said for our elderly relatives.

ELDERLY

Check Grandmother’s Mail
Many scams are hitting our elderly relatives through the mail, this includes email. For this reason it is crucial to help them with it. Furthermore, there are sometimes cases where bills come in that should not. Scams include those for charities, buying coins, and many other things. It is always a good idea to double check the mail for scams before reading too much into it.

Financial Help
Sometimes the worst offenders of the elderly are from within their family. It is sad but true that a relative can gain trust and access, and then leave someone with little or nothing, and then even have them take out loans. Just make sure that you are doing your best to help your loved ones avoid scams and stay financially stable.

If there is one theme here it is the importance of being present. Whether the person is a child or not, one’s being there cannot be substituted. If you feel you have a loved one who is especially at risk, you could even consider consulting with a professional – like someone with a masters in criminal justice degree or who works with law enforcement, for example. By being there for the ones you love you can help keep them safe and away from any type of danger. There is no greater way to let your family know you care.

By Kara Masterson

Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from Utah. She enjoys Tennis and spending time with her family.