SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDS & PARENTS
According to a study by the U.S. Justice Department, 359,000 children are kidnapped every year. Of that 359,000 total, 4,600 children are kidnapped by people who are not relatives, many result in rape and assaults. In 1988, 114,600 children may have been involved in attempted kidnappings; 450,700 children ran away from home; and 127,000 were abandoned by their parents.
May of the safety tips contained in the Child Safety Tips article will be obvious to the child (children). Others will need additional explanation from you. Child Quest encourages all parents to take the time to go through each of the safety tips and explain its significance. Listed below are Tips for Mom and Dad.
Never assume that your child will not be abducted, abused or exploited.
Have your child (children) fingerprinted, cut a small piece of hair and keep it with your child (children's) photos.. Contact the Oak Point Department of Public Safety for more information.
Always maintain a current photograph of your child (children) including current height and weight. (You can obtain a Child Identification Form from Child Quest International).
Obtain a passport for your child (children). Once obtained, it is hard for someone else to obtain another.
Know who your child's friends are, their parents, address and phone number.
Never leave your child unattended (i.e.: shopping malls, a car, home, etc.)
Have your child's school establish a "School Call Back Program". If your child does not arrive at school on time, the school should call to find the reason for absence.
If your child becomes missing, or you suspect abuse, contact your the Department of Public Safety IMMEDIATELY.
It has been said that children are our most valuable resource. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary that we take positive measures to insure their safety and prevent them from becoming victims of crime.
Never leave children alone; not at home, in a vehicle, at play, or anywhere.
Define what a STRANGER is. Let your kids know that just because they see someone everyday (e.g. mailman, paperboy, neighbor, etc.) it does not mean these people are not strangers.
Teach your children their full name, your name, full address, and phone number, including area codes. Teach them how to use a phone.
Teach your children the "What if...?" Game, making up different dangerous situations that they might encounter and helping them play out what they would do in that situation.
Take the time to talk to your children and be alert to any noticeable changes in their behavior or attitude toward an adult or teenager; it may be a sign of sexual abuse.
Set up procedures with your child's school or day care center as to whom the child will be released to other than yourself, and what notification procedure they are to follow if the child does not show up on time.
Teach your children that their body is private and no one has the right to touch them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. If anyone touches them in a wrong way they should: SAY NO, GET AWAY, and TELL SOMEONE they trust.
I know my full name (first, middle and last) and complete address including city, state and zip code.
I know my phone number including area code and how to dial "911" and "0" for emergencies. I know that I can use any phone to call "911" and "0" without using any money.
I know my family "Secret Code Word" and know not to go with anyone, for any reason, who does not use the "Secret Code Word."
I know not to put my name on any clothing, jewelry, hats, caps, jackets, tee shirts, bikes, etc., where people can see it.
I know not to play in isolated areas or take short-cuts through dangerous or deserted areas such as creeks or vacant lots.
I know to always walk and play in groups. I always practice the "Buddy System" and that there is safety in numbers.
I know not to go door-to-door selling something without an adult with me.
I know to always let my parents or child care person know where I am going.
I know to walk on the left facing traffic so that I can see if a car stops near me.
I know to keep all doors and windows locked when I am home alone.
If I am home alone and someone knocks on the door, I know to ask, "Who is it?" without unlocking or opening any door or window. If it is not someone I am expecting, I know to say, "My mom/dad is busy and can't come to the door right now." I know to talk through the door and ask the person to come back later. If the person refuses to leave, I know to call the police. I know to never let the person inside for any reason.
If I arrive home and see that any window or door is open or broken, I should not go in. I know to go to a trusted neighbor and call "911" or "0" for Operator.
If I am home along and the phone rings, I know to never let a stranger know I'm home alone. I know to say, "My mother/father can't come to the phone right now."
I know that it is okay to hang up the telephone if I don't like what I hear, such as strange noises, scary talk or nothing at all.
I know that there are emergency numbers to call if I'm home along and get scared, including how to telephone my parents and neighbors.
I know that a stranger is anyone (man or woman) who is not known by me.
I know not to go with strangers and to run away from them when approached.
I know to never accept candy, food, money or anything from a stranger.
If someone I know, a friend or a neighbor, asks me to come into his/her house or go somewhere with them, I know to ask my mom/dad first.
I know never to approach a car with strangers. If a stranger says something to me, I know not to go near the car to answer or to have them repeat the question.
I know never to help a stranger with directions, fix their car, find their lost pet or let a stranger take my picture.
I know never to hitch hike.
If a stranger is following me, instead of hiding in bushes or behind a building, I know to go to a place where there are people and ask for help.
I know to keep at least two arms lengths away from a stranger when walking.
I know never to go with a person who says they are a police officer if they are not in uniform and have a police car, I know not to go with a stranger, even if they show a badge. I know to tell my mom/dad all strange and/or unusual events.
I know never to accept a ride from a stranger.
I know, that even thought I may see and recognize certain people (like the mailman, ice cream truck driver, newspaper person, etc.), these people are considered strangers to me and I should never go with them without permission from my mom/dad.
I know the difference between a "good touch" and a "bad touch" and that certain areas of my body are very private. I know to report any "bad touches" to mom, dad, a trusted adult and the police.
I have the right not to be touched in ways that make me feel uncomfortable, the right to say "NO" and the right to get help.
I know that if an adult tells me to keep a secret, I know that it is okay to tell mom, dad or a trusted adult.
I know that I have the right to feel safe and I know who I can trust to talk to if and when I am not feeling safe.
I know to always tell my mom/dad if I am away from them and something happens that makes me feel uncomfortable.
I know to call home when I get to my friend's house, shopping, etc., and to call when I am on my way home and to always come home before dark.
I know that if I get lost in a store or shopping mall, I will go to a cashier or security person.
I know never to go alone to movie theaters, arcade game stores, public rest rooms, parks, swimming pools or school yards (after school hours).
I know that running away from home is no fun. When I am having problems, I know that I can talk to my family or a trusted adult.
I know my three rules if I find myself in a dangerous situation:
SAY NO!
RUN AWAY WHILE SCREAMING HELP!
TELL A TRUSTED ADULT!
I know that it is okay to say "NO" and to run and scream "Help, I'm being kidnapped!" if I feel that I am in a dangerous situation. I know that even "nice" people sometimes do mean things.
The wise owl says "I know my safety tips."
We hope these Child Quest International Child Safety Tips are useful to you. They have been reprinted with permission of Child Quest International.
CHILD QUEST is an international non profit organization devoted to the protection and recovery of missing, abused and exploited children. For more information, check out their webpage at Child Quest International
Riding a bicycle can be fun and help keep you physically fit. However, bicycle riding poses many risks, even for the experienced rider.
Scraped knees and elbows are commonplace, but even a minor spill may result in serious head and brain injury. Statistics show that between 70-80% of all fatal bicycle crashes involve head injuries. Although helmet usage is very low (15-18%), studies have proven that bicycle helmets are 85-88% effective in mitigating total head and brain injuries.
In addition to using helmets and knee pads, keep in mind the following safety tips:
For more information about joining or starting a Neighborhood Crime-watch Program contact officer Tom Adams
Suspicious Activity: What constitutes "suspicious activity" and when to contact law enforcement.
Some people have the wrong idea about sexual assault. They think the attacker was overcome with sexual desire, or the victim "asked for it." These ideas assume that sexual assault is motivated by sexual desire. It isn't. It is a violent crime intended to hurt, humiliate, and control the victim. Sex is only the weapon.
Prevention Tips:
At Home...
List only initials and last name on your mail box.
Keep all entrances where you live well-illuminated.
Install deadbolt locks and door viewers. Keep doors (and windows) locked at all times.
Ask repair/delivery personnel for their ID. Have them wait outside while you call the company for verification. If a stranger asks to use your phone because of an emergency, make the call for them.
Do not give personal information (name, address, phone number) to a stranger on the telephone.
If someone dials your number "by mistake" do not reveal your correct number.
If someone is prowling outside your home, call the police. If someone breaks into your home, try to get out safely. If you can't get out, lock doors between you and the intruder.
On the Street...
An attacker expects a passive victim, so if you walk slowly or as if in a daze, you will seem vulnerable. Walk at a steady pace, appear confident and purposeful.
Be alert to what's around you. Listen for footsteps and voices nearby. Look around.
If you think you are being followed, change your pace. If the person changes his pace to coincide with yours, cross the street, get to lighted areas, and draw attention to yourself.
When being followed by a vehicle, quickly turn around and walk in the opposite direction. Keep more than an arms distance from vehicles, even if the occupants are asking for directions.
Do not take short cuts through alleys or parking lots. Stay with a group when possible.
Never get into a stranger's vehicle, even if your car breaks down.
If being forced to enter a vehicle on a city street, your chances of getting help are better there than in a deserted area where the person may plan to take you.
In Your Car...
Always keep car doors locked and park in well-lighted areas in sight of other people.
Be alert to vehicles following yours. If being followed, drive to the nearest police/fire station or anywhere large crowds of people are gathered. Do not drive to your home. Call the police!
Have your keys out and ready to slip into the door lock when approaching your car. Be alert.
Leave only your ignition key with parking lot attendants or service station personnel, as they could make a copy of your home key for later use.
