Parents Guide 👨👩👧👦
Keep your children safe from rabies! Learn how to protect your kids, teach them about animal safety, and know what to do if they're exposed.
Protecting Your Children 🛡️
By teaching your kids these rules, you're empowering them to stay safe! Here's how to have those important conversations about animal safety.
Teach children to never approach unfamiliar animals
All agesEven baby animals - explain that some animals can carry germs like rabies that make people very sick
Gently reject peer pressure to touch or feed wild creatures
School ageHelp kids understand it's okay to say no when friends want to approach animals
Encourage kids to tell an adult right away if they see a bat
All agesBats are the leading cause of rabies deaths in the U.S. - immediate reporting is crucial
Supervise children around animals
All agesAlways watch kids when they're near animals, even familiar pets
Teach the 'look, don't touch' rule
Toddler+It's okay to look at animals from a distance, but never touch them
Age-Appropriate Guidance 📚
How to talk to your children about rabies safety at different ages
Toddlers (1-3 years)
- Use simple words: 'Animals can make us sick'
- Practice 'look, don't touch' with pictures and books
- Always supervise around animals
- Teach them to come to you if they see an animal
Preschoolers (3-5 years)
- Explain that some animals carry germs that make people very sick
- Practice saying 'No, I can't touch that animal'
- Read books about animal safety together
- Role-play what to do if they see a wild animal
School Age (6-12 years)
- Explain rabies in simple terms - a serious disease from animal bites
- Teach them to resist peer pressure to approach animals
- Practice what to do if bitten or scratched
- Encourage them to tell adults about any animal encounters
Teens (13+ years)
- Discuss the real risks and consequences of rabies
- Teach them to be role models for younger kids
- Explain the importance of immediate medical care
- Discuss travel safety if they're planning trips
What to Do if Your Child is Exposed 🚨
If your child is bitten or scratched by any animal, here's what to do to keep them safe. Medical care right away can keep your child safe - rabies is 100% preventable when treated in time.
Stay calm but act quickly
Remain calm to avoid panicking your child, but don't delay getting help
Wash the wound thoroughly
Use soap and water for about 15 minutes - kids might need your help with this
Contact your pediatrician immediately
Call your child's doctor or local health clinic to see if rabies shots are needed
Don't delay asking a doctor
Even if the animal is small or seems healthy, don't wait - rabies preventive care is most effective right away
Let the doctor decide
Doctors or health departments will decide if PEP is needed - you don't have to figure it all out alone
Special Note on Bats 🦇
Bat encounters are a big concern for children - here's what parents need to know
Bat found in child's room
Situation:
A bat is found in a room where a young child was sleeping
What to do:
Assume the child may have been bitten, even if you don't see a wound
Why:
Bat bites can be very small and not easily noticed, so doctors often treat this as an exposure out of caution
Bat found in house with children
Situation:
A bat gets into your home and was in areas where children were present
What to do:
Call your doctor/health department immediately
Why:
This might sound scary, but it's just a precaution doctors recommend to keep your family safe
Child touched a bat
Situation:
Your child tells you they touched or played with a bat
What to do:
Seek medical care immediately, even if no bite is visible
Why:
Bat bites can be so small they're not visible, but the risk is real
Child-Friendly Resources 🎨
Learning about rabies can actually be fun! Here are resources that teach kids how to be safe around animals.
CDC Kids and Rabies page
Fun activities and games that teach kids how to be safe around animals
InteractiveColoring books and activity sheets
Downloadable materials that make learning about rabies safety fun
DownloadableEducational videos
Age-appropriate videos that explain animal safety in an engaging way
VideoStory books about animal safety
Books that teach children about staying safe around animals through stories
BooksTip: Check out CDC's Kids and Rabies page or other child-friendly educational resources, so you and your child can learn together in a non-scary way.
You're Your Child's Best Protection! 💝
By teaching your children about animal safety and knowing what to do in an emergency, you're giving them the tools they need to stay safe. You've got this!