Bike riding is great fun and a good form of exercise for children — it is also great way to get around. A properly fitted helmet can reduce the risk of a head injury by almost 50%, but many children go without them. Teach your children the importance of helmet safety a...
Heading to a family amusement park this summer? Prepare your family with some easy safety tips. Amusement parks are crowded and exciting — and unfortunately, they can also be the perfect scenario for children to get distracted and separated from the family. Before you ...
Even at a young age, children are capable of much more than we might believe, including the development of certain skills that could keep them safe in an emergency. As soon as your child is able to distinguish numbers, teach them how to dial 9-1-1 in case of an emergen...
If you suspect a child is being abused, it is important to know who to call with your information. In California, the agency that handles child abuse tips is the Department of Social Services — Division of Children and Family Services. Anyone who suspects abuse can cal...
As the weather heats up, children and their families are drawn to the cool water pools, ponds and the ocean offer. Parents and caregivers should keep a few safety tips in mind when children are near water. Watch children at all times, keep weak swimmers and younger chi...
June 2022 marks the 20th Anniversary of the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. We, as the People of God, continue our commitment to Promise to Protect and Pledge to Heal, we ask you to unite in a special prayer for victims of child sexual ab...
During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and on behalf of Archbishop José H. Gomez, we affirm our continued commitment to report allegations of sexual misconduct to law enforcement, support victim-survivors in their healing journey, and protect children and the vu...
The Office of Safeguard the Children of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles annually publishes the Working Together to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse brochure, which provides an up-to-date listing of safe environment policies, programs, resources, contact numbers and other impo...
In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month this April, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles invites you to join us in transforming awareness into action by participating in a special nine-day Novena for Protecting and Healing from Abuse, April 22-30. For more informat...
Most children engage in age-appropriate behaviors, exploring their bodies to understand how they work. It is important for parents and caregivers to understand the difference between natural, healthy curiosity and inappropriate behaviors that would raise red flags sugg...
For many young people, the widespread legalization of marijuana has provided more opportunities to try it, and in a variety of ways. Edibles — marijuana-infused brownies, gummies, candies, and other foods — are gaining popularity. Talk to your teens about the risks ass...
Good ministry occurs when a person establishes and respects healthy boundaries with the people he or she is trying to serve. Those who work in ministry have to be aware of healthy boundaries and what is and is not appropriate for these scenarios, because the risk of vi...
Parents are — rightly — focused on car seat safety from the minute they bring their children home from the hospital. But as children grow up, things change. They get taller, they weigh more, the family may change cars or add siblings. It is important to periodically ch...
If your children use the internet or social media, you will want to decide how, when, and where they can use it. Review privacy settings on apps, games, and websites, and talk to your children about how to keep their information private and safe. Check in often to make...
Adult apprehension about discussing touching safety can get in the way of creating a safe environment for children, but doing so is critical to children’s well-being. Keep the touching rules short and sweet: No one has the right to touch a child’s private parts except ...
School shootings are in the news often, and children can understandably develop major fears about them. Keep up with what your children are talking about — if they seem to be focused on school shootings, it can be helpful to talk about these types of violence in a bala...
Today, as we deal with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is noteworthy that the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported that child safety has also been affected as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “In 2021, NCMEC stated that they had experie...
Did you know that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles requires all staff members, and volunteers who work in any capacity with or around children, the elderly, or people with special needs, to complete the VIRTUS® Protecting God’s Children for Adults program? This program h...
Teens and social media have been in the news a lot over the past several months, as research shows how damaging social media sites can be for self-esteem, productivity, and overall well-being. Instagram has been called out, with research citing harm done by filters and...
If there is a fire in your home, there is a 900-degree difference between a closed door and an open one. Firefighters recommend that you always close doors before you and your children go to sleep. Remembering the simple phrase “Close before you doze” can help prevent ...