How to Teach Umbrella Safety to Children

When it̵7;s raining and yucky outside, an umbrella can help keep your child high and dry. However, if used improperly, umbrellas can pose a safety issue for your kiddo and anyone around her. Before sending your child into the world with an umbrella in hand, show her how to use and store it properly.

Things You'll Need

  • Umbrella
  • Plastic pail (optional)

Instructions

    • 1

      Show your child how to hold the umbrella away from his body before opening it. Stress the importance of looking around before opening it so he doesn̵7;t pop it open in someone̵7;s face.

    • 2

      Tell your child to shake off or lightly tap the tip of the umbrella on the ground to remove excess moisture before closing it and walking into a building. This helps reduce the amount of water that drips on the floor, which poses a slip-and-fall hazard. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries for kids younger than 19 years old.

    • 3

      Walk your child through the umbrella closing process. Your child may have difficulty getting it closed, so show him how to plant the tip of the umbrella on the ground as he closes it.

    • 4

      Designate an umbrella ̶0;parking area̶1; near the front door of your home or another convenient place, like a plastic pail in a closet. Have your child place his closed umbrella in this area every time he comes inside. This also helps prevent a trip-and-fall scenario, as kids tend to drop items on the floor and go about their business.

    • 5

      Explain that an umbrella is not a weapon or toy. Although a closed umbrella may look like a sword or gun, kids can get carried away, and getting jabbed with the pointy end of an umbrella can hurt. Be clear about this rule and enforce it if you see your child misusing her umbrella.

    • 6

      Ask your child to carry the umbrella with the point down if he is not using it. This means no swinging it around his body or twirling it like a baton.

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