We all know how much joy, love and fun a house full of children can be—but they also get into (and create!) messes at an astounding rate! Even when your whole property is meticulously childproofed, any parent can tell you you’re never totally in the clear. Fatal injuries in the home are still a leading cause of death in the U.S. Yes, maybe teaching your children the basics of home safety is a huge bore, but we here at Paul Davis Restoration of Greater Columbia still think your family’s safety is our number one priority…boring or not! To that end, we’ve compiled a list of four outstanding children’s books to “edu-tain” your little ones! Here’s how families in the South can turn their kids into experts and budding scientists about storms, 9-1-1 emergencies and more!

Emergency Preparedness

1.     You hope your child never has to use it, but everyone needs to know to dial 9-1-1 in case of an emergency. In Impatient Pamela Calls 911 by Mary B. Koski, a little girl learns all about emergencies and when it’s appropriate to dial those three numbers. If you want an effective way to teach your child how to respond to emergencies without scaring him or her, this book is a must-read! 

2.     Once your child is old enough to stay home alone, a whole new realm of safety issues open up! Dottie Raymer’s A Smart Girl’s Guide to Staying Home Alone teaches older children the basics of staying home without you, including invaluable safety tips and quizzes designed to get them thinking about emergency situations ahead of time. The book also delves into basic first-aid, which can come in handy in the event of a hurricane or flood.

The wild world outdoors

3.     Kids who live in the South may be used to thunderstorms, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t afraid of them! Help lessen their fear with Flash, Crash, Rumble and Roll, also by Franklyn M. Branley. The beautifully-illustrated book teaches new readers all about thunderstorms, how to perform your own weather experiments, and, of course, thunderstorm safety.

4.     In the warm weather states that are found in the Southeast, outdoor family-friendly gatherings are abundant and more and more people include their furry family members in on the fun. To keep your child safe around dogs, check out Be A Dog’s Best Friend: A Safety Guide for Kids by Renee Payne. It’s told in the voice of 10-year-old Ema, who shares her knowledge of how to safely play with dogs you do know, steer clear of those you don’t and how to safely approach a new dog. With playful illustrations and lists of dos and dont’s, this fun read will ensure your kid’s next encounter with a dog is full of big, wet, happy kisses.