Check your holiday list twice; remember to include safety this season.

WINNIPEG, MB: The hustle and bustle of holiday season creates a perfect opportunity to review the buddy system and other safety strategies with your child. The Canadian Centre for Child Protection (Canadian Centre) in partnership with Honeywell wants to remind parents and caregivers that whether your child is heading to a rink, toboggan hill or to a friend’s holiday party, there is safety in numbers.

“A busy holiday season can make it difficult to find time to think about safety,” says Noni Classen, Director of Education at the Canadian Centre. “However, the Canadian Centre has many resources parents can use to begin a conversation about safety for every age – and a cold winter day is the perfect time to teach young children about the buddy system with the fun activities at BillyBuddy.ca.”

Children who use the buddy system for everyday activities can reduce their likelihood of being victimized. The Billy Brings his Buddies program was created to help parents and teachers start the practical conversation about the buddy system with children in Grade 1. Through the fun activities and lessons on the BillyBuddy.ca website, younger children learn how and when to choose a “safe buddy.”

“We are proud to partner with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection to bring this important safety program to schools and homes across Canada,” said Tom Buckmaster, President, Honeywell Hometown Solutions. “We encourage parents and educators visit BillyBuddy.ca to learn more about how they can review safety strategies that will help children stay safe all year round.”

With support from Honeywell, Billy Brings his Buddies Teacher Kits, including a home activity for parents, were sent out to Grade 1 classrooms across Canada in November. The first 250 parents and caregivers who complete the Billy Brings his Buddies home activity survey before December 31, 2014 will receive a free Billy puppet (shipping included).

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection has numerous programs and educational resources for older age groups and their parents. For additional information on safety strategies, or to learn more about issues affecting youth, go to kidsintheknow.ca and cybertip.ca.