Keeping Your Children Safe

Parents –

Teach Your Children!

Most of us have been taught (and usually pass on to our children) about not talking to or accepting gifts from strangers, and this is very good. But, despite the stranger image, the child molester is not easily identifiable. The majority of cases show the offender to be known to the child (i.e., parents/guardians, grandparents, brothers, sisters, relatives, babysitters, friends, neighbors, etc.).

Take Time To Listen

Encourage children to talk to you about anything and everything…

Smart people take precautions against "bad things" like fire, disease, crime and people who want to hurt them. Do not be frightened so that you are too suspicious of all people, but personal safety is more than learning how to cross the street, ride a bicycle or swim.

Awareness and prevention should be discussed within the whole family. Since children are usually very aware of "news" as well as local incidents, (even though they may have a disoriented picture of what happened), perhaps the use of a news item or a recent event could serve as an introduction to the topic.

Do not put aside what a child says as exaggeration, imagination, "a lie." Check out the information. Take appropriate action by notifying child protective services.

Learn to use public transportation or have you or another responsible person take you to and from their destination. Never hitchhike.

Every child has the right to say "no" to unwanted touch. Touching, kissing, hugging someone and having someone return that affection is a personal choice. But, if a parent/guardian, grandparent, relative, friend, babysitter, stranger, etc., wants to touch your "private areas" (parts of the body that a bathing suit or underwear cover), say "no." Get away. Tell an adult that you trust.

Talk to your parent/guardian, trusted adult, school guidance counselor, etc. Even if you are embarrassed or ashamed about a situation or behavior that makes you feel uncomfortable. Don’t let anyone (family, friends, strangers) convince you to keep it "secret."

On any class trip or family outing stay with your group. Don’t wander off alone. Have a prearranged meeting area to wait for your family/group in case you get separated. Choose a location where there are other people so that you are not alone until you are found.

Be sure to lock doors/windows and never indicate to anyone that you are home alone. Don’t open the door to anyone you are not expecting. If someone telephones asking for your parents/guardian, state that they can’t come to the phone. Take a message or have them call back.

Enter a public rest room with caution. It is best to have someone accompany you. Don’t speak to strangers. Don’t loiter in or around the area.

Shirts, blouses, outer clothing, jewelry, etc., should not show your name because someone you have not met before might trick you into believing she/he knows you by calling your name.

Always tell your parent/guardian or responsible adult where you are going, with whom you will be and when you will return.

Familiarize yourself with your neighborhood. Look for places you can go to if you should need immediate help (store, gas station, a friend’s home, police/fire station, etc.).

Every time you are tempted to take "shortcuts," walk through deserted areas, alleyways, vacant lots, or go into an abandoned building, etc., think about the danger involved. Walk and play in open areas where you can see around you and be seen by other people. Don’t stay in the school yard or playground after your friends have left. If possible, travel to and from school with a friend or group.