Building bridges between all communities
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/581380
OCTOBER 2015 • PAGE 9 As kids start thinking about whether they want to be pumpkins or pirates this Halloween, take some time to teach them about using the buddy system to stay safe. Whether it is walking to and from school or going trick-or-treating, it's important that children always bring a safe buddy — someone who can supervise them — when going places. "When children learn and use the buddy system they increase their personal safety and reduce their chances of being victimized," said Noni Classen, Director of Education for the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. "Research shows that children who go places alone are at a greater risk of being harmed, so parents and teachers need to talk to kids about the importance of always bringing a buddy along." The Billy Brings his Buddies program was created to help parents and teachers start the conversation about the buddy system with children in Grade 1. Through fun activities and lessons, including the Billy brings his Buddies Halloween Game, younger children learn how and when to choose a safe buddy. Visit www.billybuddy.ca today to play the Halloween game with your kids. The website also includes a free downloadable Grade 1 Teacher Kit with a lesson plan and poster for the classroom, as well as take-home activities for parents to do with their kids. The interactive online games and activities can be played by children in the classroom and on their own at home. The Billy Brings his Buddies program is a part of the Canadian Centre's Kids in the Know interactive child personal safety program for students from Kindergarten to Grade 9. Teachers can also help reinforce this safety strategy by using the program with students throughout the school year. DON'TSPREADTHEFLU. DON'TSPREADTHEFLU. BECAUSE IT'SABOUT THEMTOO TheannualseasonalfluvaccineisavailabletoallManitobansatnocharge. TheannualseasonalfluvaccineisavailabletoallManitobansatnocharge. Itwillofferprotectionagainstfourseasonalflustrains. Itwillofferprotectionagainstfourseasonalflustrains. Anannualfluvaccineisespeciallyimportantforthoseatincreasedriskof Anannualfluvaccineisespeciallyimportantforthoseatincreasedriskof seriousillnessfromtheflu,theircaregiversandclosecontacts. seriousillnessfromtheflu,theircaregiversandclosecontacts. Ifyouare65orolderorhaveachronicillness,youshouldalsogetapneumo vaccine.Onepneumovaccinemaygiveyoualifetimeofprotection. Togetyourfreefluvaccine,contactyourpublichealthnurse,doctor,pharmacist orcallHealthLinks–InfoSantéat204-788-8200 ortoll-free1-888-315-9257. manitoba.ca Parentingisn'tabouthavingalltheanswers. It'sokaytoaskforhelp. Clickorcall–we'lllisten. manitobaparentzone.ca 1-877-945-4777(tollfree) The buddy system helps keep kids safe "The more often we have these discussions with children, the more likely safety will become a habit and integrated into everyday life," said Classen. "There is no 30-minute crash course in personal safety that will be effective. In order to reduce child victimization, adults need to use a common language to teach personal safety in our homes, our schools and in our communities. It is everyone's responsibility to protect our children." The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is a charitable organization dedicated to the personal safety of all children. Our goal is to reduce child victimization by providing national programs and services to the Canadian public. Visit www.protectchildren.ca to learn more.