Safety for Kids Having Sleepovers

Kids having sleepovers need to be reminded about what is appropriate and how to get out of a weird situation

It is too easy to become complacent with sleepovers. Here are some questions people should know or ask themselves before their child has a sleepover. The age is not the main requirement, the crucial point is the parent’s feeling comfortable that their child is in a safe environment. The aim of a sleepover is fun, but fun can’t be had unless precautions are taken. If it is all too much for you at the moment – host a sleepover at your house.

• whose home will the sleepover be at?
• Do you know everyone who is living there or staying there at the moment?
• How long have you known the host family and how do you feel about them?
• Is their home an unhealthy environment?
• Does your child have allergies or food issues?
• Have you spent time in their home before?
• Do you have similar values as the child’s parents?
• Who’s supervising… parents, teenage babysitter?
• Have you discussed “thumbs up/thumbs down touches” with your child and given them some scripted responses to help them get out of any weird situation?
• What other kids may be spending the night?
• Are kids sleeping in beds, sleeping bags, sharing air mattresses?
• Can you communicate your questions comfortably with the other parents?
• Does your child know they can call you anytime, even in the middle of the night, to come pick them up?
• Does your child have a mobile phone or will they have to ask the host to use their home phone?
• Can your child do that for themselves?
• Is your child going to have to bath there?
• What activities are planned?  Are the adults also having a party or get-together with their friends that night?
• Will there be a lot of other adults there, possibly drinking alcohol, while kids are around?