Child safety begins with adult responsibility

June 9, 2026

Holidays for children are a time not only for rest but also for independence. At home, with friends, at a camp, or at their grandmother's dacha – in the summer, they are often left without parents. Before giving a child the opportunity to make decisions and be responsible for their actions, it is necessary to ensure safety. Teach basic rules and discuss how to act in non-standard situations. What to pay attention to and how to form important skills.

There is no universal instruction on how to protect children from all the risks of the external world. But there is a foundation: typical mistakes, similar circumstances, common causes – which is what one should rely on. At the same time, it is important to consider the child's age. The topic of safety should be discussed with both an eight-year-old child and a thirteen-year-old teenager – unpleasant incidents happen to everyone. And the more broadly parents discuss this topic, including teaching them to analyze, clarify and verify facts, and draw conclusions, the easier it will be for the child to recognize a threat and navigate an unfamiliar environment.
Perhaps one of the main summer joys and, at the same time, problems is recreation by the water. A warning here will never be superfluous. Children, of course, should swim only under adult supervision. And this is not just a recommendation, but a measure taken at the legislative level. It is forbidden to swim and be near water bodies without adult accompaniment until the age of 14. Swimming is allowed only exclusively at equipped beaches.
Since the beginning of the swimming season in Belarus, one child has drowned. This happened in an unequipped place not intended for swimming. Rescuers often encounter such situations, and during the summer period, the risks increase maximally.
Boundaries should also be set for outdoor games. The specifics of rural areas, few people in remote areas, and essentially the absence of control provide ample scope, both literally and in terms of imagination. Climbing into an old barn, wandering through the forest, looking into a well, swimming – under certain conditions, all this can lead to negative consequences.
If children are left home alone, parents' task is to create a safe environment for them and minimize any risks. If necessary, the child should be able to go outside without hindrance. For example, in case of a fire. Leave them keys or install a lock that can be opened from the inside without a key. Discuss which electrical appliances they can use and what precautions to take. Install window guards. Eliminate all possible ignition sources and teach the child the procedure in case of fire.
The number of fires due to children's pranks with fire has increased in Belarus. Since the beginning of the year, 27 such cases have been recorded, seven people have been injured, including four children.
The vast majority of such incidents occur when children are left unattended by adults. One of the most high-profile cases occurred on May 21 in Baranovichi.
A fire broke out on the sixth floor of an 11-story building. Neighbors heard the sound of a smoke detector, and two men broke down the door and rescued three children. One of the considered versions of the cause of the fire is children's pranks with fire.
The main causes of fires remain careless handling of fire while smoking, especially when intoxicated, and violation of the rules for operating electrical networks and stove heating.
I want to specifically emphasize the effectiveness of smoke detectors. In the first four months of 2026, 52 people, including 10 children, were saved thanks to them. The Ministry of Emergency Situations recommends that parents install such devices in residential premises, calling them the most effective tool for passive fire protection.
In case of fire, call 101 or 112!