Kids and Construction

All of us want to be liked. There's no doubt about that. But it's sometimes difficult to be a good guy when it comes to protecting kids from the hazards of a construction site.

DRAWS KIDS LIKE A MAGNET

A construction site draws kids like a magnet. Most of them have played with toy trucks or dozers. And, suddenly, there in front of them is the real thing. Many kids are mechanically inclined. I heard of one case where a mechanic tried for hours to get a piece of heavy equipment started, with no success. Then that night a bunch of kids visited the site. They not only got the equipment started, but smashed it into another piece. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

VANDALISM

Another danger of kids hanging around is that some of them engage in vandalism. And often as they size up our operation, they're scheming about what they can do when no one's around. Like smashing windshields or pouring sand into gas tanks.

BE FIRM BUT DIPLOMATIC

So, when it comes to kids and construction sites, we sometimes may have to appear like the bad guy. Not only for our own protection, but for that of the kids as well. When dealing with kids, remember: if you give them an inch, they'll take a mile. So forget about saying: "Maybe" or "OK ,but be careful." Let your "no" mean "no." But don't go over- board. Don't be so rough with the kids that they'll come back and get even. No, construction sites aren't playgrounds. And the day may come when you'll have to point this out to local youngsters. Do it diplomatically, but firmly.