This post is sponsored by TAC and Nuffnang

Road Safety is so vitally important for children and is something that should be addressed early on through education and even more importantly, role-modelling. As parents, teachers and carers, we are well aware of how perceptive children are and how they love to mimic the words and actions of adults. It is therefore imperative that the lessons and words that we are teaching children, are backed up by our own actions.

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC), is a Victorian Government-owned organisation that is involved in promoting road safety in Victoria and in improving services for Victoria's drivers. The TAC works closely with VicRoads, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD), community groups and a range of other organisations to deliver road safety programs and key messages at meaningful and relevant times. 

To support the program for our youngest and often most vulnerable members of our community, TAC developed a TVC campaign “ThingleToodle” to encourage safe road user behaviour in young children through a focus on parental role modelling.

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This post is sponsored by TAC and Nuffnang

When it comes to the safety and well-being of our children, as parents, most of us would value this above anything. We try to minimise risk as best we can through supervision, education and vigilance, but no matter what, there are always circumstances for potential injury or even death. (Yes, being a parent/carer is the scariest role ever.)

One of the most common ways that children are exposed to potentially dangerous circumstances is in the car. In my state, Victoria (Australia), alone, an average of 13 children under the age of 15 are killed on our roads annually, with more than 400 under the age of 17 requiring hospitilisation. (Stats here and here).  

For us, trips in the car are a very common occurrence. Some days can see me making up to 8 or more short trips here and there in one day, with each of those trips housing the potential of something going wrong. So, how can I best keep my kids safe in the car?

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This post is sponsored by Nuffnang

Living in Victoria means that we are at real risk of fires. Despite the fact that we live in a residential suburban area we are on the urban fringe and therefore, still at risk of fire. 

Did you know?...In strong winds, embers can travel up to 35 kilometres in front of a fire, starting new fires. People who travel or holiday in high risk bushfire areas are also at risk of bushfire. Even people considering a day trip should be prepared. (CFA)

Living in a bush fire prone area or even on the fringe means that you must be Fire Ready.

You need a plan of action and to be prepared long before any fires are actually around. You can read more about how to make a plan with this Fire Ready Kit.

However, even if you don't live in any of those areas at all, there is always a risk that your house may catch fire regardless of where you live. 

It is important that you have a family plan of action if the worst was to happen and that your children are aware of what they should do in case of a fire.

Making a Family Friendly Fire Plan

As a parent it is my duty to look after my children. In the event of a fire a parent's first priority would be to get their children out of the house. This is especially the case with very young children whom would be incapable of leaving on their own.

I know that we would be doing everything in our power to get to our children and get them outside, so thinking about preparing them to be independent in the case of an emergency is something that is easy to let slip. Use this as your reminder to consider what your child knows and is capable of understanding and think about what they could and should know.

The plan that you make with your child has to be age appropriate.

Start by having a think about what they are capable of for their age and make sure any instructions you're giving them are both achievable by them and aren't going to scare them. 

Teaching Children to be Fire Ready

Here are the lessons that we felt were appropriate for our 4 year old (and older kids) to learn in order to be fire ready.

1) Learning about the Smoke Detector

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