Hot Topics
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COVID-19 Safety
- Fireworks Safety - take the safe fireworks test
- Leet-Text
Message Lingo - A Parents Guide to IM and Text Messaging
Codes
How to interpret your tween or teens text messaging shorthand and slang. - Kids and the Internet - safety issues and tips for families
- Child Safety Information - Articles
and Parent Resources
- Family Safety Emergency Plan - Tips and Resources
- Free Kids Fire Safety Activity / Coloring Book
- Product Safety - Product Recalls and Toy Recalls from Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
- Create a Family Emergency Kit
Keep Kids and Pets Safe with ID Tags
BFF ID Tag for Small Pets by bluestonedesigners
Find another Pet ID tag online at zazzle.com
Text and IM Shorthand Symbols (Leet Speak) - a parent's cheat sheet
Kids often use a strange symbolic shorthand when they communicate on the internet or cell phones to send text messages, IM (instant messages) or email. If you need to keep on eye on what's being said, and also protect your child from possible harm from predators, you need a way to decipher the code - known as "Leet".
Here's quick chart of the more common symbols you may see in messages you monitor or review. We've also added several links to other resources that can help you protect your child from potential predators who fool kids into thinking they are young and kewl because they know the "language" of Leet.
Leet or LeetSpeak - 1337 or 13375p34k - Texting Symbols Reference
| a | 4 or @ or /-\ | k | |< or /< | u | you | skillz | skills |
| b | 8 or |3 | l | | or 1 or ! | u | |_| or (_) or |_| or v or () | u2 | you too |
| c | ( or ¢ or k | m | |\/| or ^^ or |v| or /\/\ | v | / or \/ or < | w00t | woohoo |
| d | <| or [) or |) | n | |\| or <\> or /\/ | w | // or \/\/ or \^/ or (n) or \V/ | cya | see you |
| e | 3 or & | o | 0 or ¤ | x | >< or xx | lol | laugh out loud |
| f | l= or ph | p | |^ or |* or |o or 9 | y | '/ or `/ or V/ or ¥ or % '/ | < 3 | heart |
| g | 6 or 9 or & | q | 9 or (,) | z | 2 or S | pir | parent in room |
| h | # or [-] or {=} | r | |2 or P\ | n00b | newbie | pr0n or pron | porn |
| i | 1 or & or 3y3 | s | 5 or $ or z | l8r | later | pos | parent over shoulder |
| j | ,| or _| or ; | t | 7 or + | r0x0r | rocks |
Emergency Preparedness
Weather.gov
- Weather Safety
- Owlie Skywarn, weather safety learning activities for Kids
Ready.gov
READY.GOV - US Department of Homeland Security
The US Department of Homeland Security provides a many free pamphlets and checklists for individuals and families to help prepare in advance for an emergency situation. The site has a special section for children, Ready Kids, with parent and teacher safety education resources.
At Ready.Gov you'll find information about assembling your family emergency kit, plus special information regarding the special preparations and needs of Pets, Individuals with Disabilities, Seniors and Kids.
At the site you'll find many helpful printables to learn about and prepare for unexpected emergencies.
Home Computer Safety
Online Safety
- Safe Online - a Shopping Guide
- Home WI-FI Network Security
- PANDA Free Online Virus Scan
- Keep Kids Safe Online - 5 Tips
Browser Security
How to Set Safety Controls in your home computer's web browser
Internet Safety Tips
SCAMBUSTERS - How to Protect Yourself From Clever Scammers - Online and Off-line.
Internet ScamBusters, the #1 publication on Internet fraud, shows you the ins and outs of protecting yourself from all the newest scams. It's a public service, published 2 to 4 times a month, and provides you with a lively, entertaining and opinionated approach to protecting yourself online and off-line.
Disaster Assistance
The American Red Cross offers a wealth of information and support before, during and after emergencies of all types. Visit the Red Cross site for checklists, pamphlets, assistance and up to the minute emergency information plus free printables for your home and family.
Child Safety Resources
KlaasKids.Org Child DNA and ID Kits, free
Missing or Exploited Child Assistance
Child Protection & Missing/Search Resources
- Protect.Org
- Polly Klass Foundation
- Beyond Missing
- Code Amber Organization
- FBI State Sex Offender Listing Links
Product Safety & Product Recalls
US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Current List of Most Recent Recalls
CPSC's toll-free Hotline, 1-800-638-2772, and their information database (CPSC Info Search) offer public information 24 hours a day.
The Hotline can be used to find out whether a product has been recalled, learn how to return a recalled product or arrange for its repair, obtain information on what to look for when buying consumer products, obtain information on how to use a consumer product safely, obtain information about ordering CPSC publications, report an unsafe product, and report a product-related injury.
You can visit the official US government web site, at http://www.cpsc.gov/ for up-to-date information on a wide variety of product safety issues, recalls and advice.
To report product complaints or injuries, the Hotline staff is available between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday, except holidays. Staff available during operational hours speak both English and Spanish, and if you need another language they can arrange for you to speak with CPSC staff members fluent in other languages.
Toy Safety Watch
CPSC Info Search
W.A.T.C.H. - Annual Worst 10 Toys Lis
Fire Safety Resources
National Fire Prevention Month
October is National Fire Prevention Month, when you should review your fire safety equipment and plan of escape with your family and rehearse it at least one time. Find information about fire safety and prevention from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Visit NFPA for information about family disaster planning and instructions for assembling a family disaster supplies kit for your family.
- FREE PRINTABLE: Preparedness Chart - PDF format
- FREE PRINTABLE: Emergency Kit Checklist - PDF format
National
Council on Fireworks Safety - BE SAFE TIPS
- Only buy from reliable consumer fireworks dealers.
- Always read and follow instructions. Use common sense.
Always have an adult present
- NEVER give fireworks of any kind to young children.
- Use fireworks outdoors, away from buildings and vehicles.
- Light only one firework at a time.
- Never experiment with home made fireworks.
- Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Be responsible.
- Do not point or shoot a firework at another person
Take the Firework Safety Test - click here!
Safety & Preparedness Resources
- ARTICLE: Emergency Planning Tips for Families
- FREE PRINTABLE: Home Escape Plan Grid
- FIRE SAFETY TEACHING TOOLS at Teachingheart.com
- FREE GUIDE: Prepare Your Family for Disasters
- FREE PRINTABLE: Preparedness Chart - PDF format
- Kids Fire Safety Page from US FEMA
- Unsafe Toys Watch List
- Family Safety Blogs and Websites
Emergency Preparedness Advice
National Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness Month, a joint initiative between the Department of Homeland Security and the American Red Cross. Its purpose is to remind everyone, every year at least once a year, to make sure they and their families are prepared for emergency situations.
Visit www.redcross.org and www.ready.gov for news, tips and preparedness resources throughout the month of September every year.
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