KEEPING KIDS SAFE A great thing about kids is their natural trust in people, especially in adults. It’s sometimes hard for parents to teach children to balance this trust with caution. But kids today need to know common-sense rules that can help keep them safe–and build the self-confidence they need to handle emergencies. Remember that you can trust most adults. They want you to be safe and they want to know about things that happen to you that you don't like. They have to know because if adults do things to children that they shouldn't, it takes another adult to get them to stop.

MAKE SURE YOUR KIDS KNOW!

• How to call 911 or "0" in emergencies, and how to use a public phone. Help them practice making emergency phone calls. Be sure emergency numbers–police, fire, poison control and emergency medical–are by all phones.
• Their full name, address, and phone number (including the area code), plus your work phone number. If you have a cellular phone and/or beeper, teach your children these numbers as well.
• How to walk confidently and stay alert to what’s going on around them.
• To walk and play with friends, not alone.
• To refuse rides or gifts from anyone, unless it’s someone both you and your child know and trust.
• To tell a trusted adult immediately if anyone, no matter whom, touches them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable.

• Learn about warning signs that your child might be involved with drugs or gangs.
• Spend time listening to your children or just being with then. Help them find positive, fun activities that they can take part in.
• Always know and know about your child’s activities.
• Know where your child is, and when he or she will return.
• Be sure you and your child are clear on your rules and expectations for activities. Make absolutely clear what is OK and what is not.
• Teach your child Internet safety tips. The people they talk to online might not be who they say they are.

• What steps you want them to follow when they get home; such as phoning you at work or a neighbor or grandparent who is at home.
• Not to let strangers, adults or children into the home for any reason.
• Not to tell telephone callers that they’re alone.
• That door and window locks must always be used. Be sure your children know how the work them.
• Not to go into the home if a door is ajar or a window is broken, but to go to a neighbor’s or public phone and call the police.
• Your rules about acceptable activities when you are not at home. Be very clear.

Ages 2-4 

• Teach your child their name, address and telephone number including area code. Your child should know how to use the phone number, as well as "911" or "0" for "operator" in emergencies. You may wish to pre-program your home telephone with an emergency number so the child only has to remember to dial one digit. 
• Teach your children that Mom and Dad have other names too. Make sure they know your first and last names. 
• Teach your child never to go anywhere with anyone without checking first with supervising adult such as a parent, teacher or babysitter. 
• Teach your children to stay at your side in public places and never to leave the store if he/she is lost. Explain to your child that people who stand at a cash register and take money work for the store. Teach your child to go to these people if they are scared or lost and they will know how to find you. 
• Teach your child never to go with anyone who doesn't know a family code word. 
• Teach your child to play within your sight. 

• Have your child practice the buddy system when going anywhere. There is safety in numbers. 
• Caution your child against playing in deserted areas. Remind them to stay on the main road. 
• Teach your child they do not always have to be polite to adults. If they sense danger, make a scene and yell for help; "Help! This is not my mom/dad!" and run away. 
• Explain to your child that abductors are sometimes people they know. 
• Beware of any adult who gives lots of attention or gifts. If any adult is making the child feel uncomfortable, teach your child to come and tell you. 
• Begin to make your children aware of their surroundings so that they become used to taking notice of details and recognizing safe places. 
• Teach you child the facts of abduction early. If handled simply as another fact of life or as another coping skill, children need not be frightened. 
• Help build you child's self esteem. Children who are confident and feel loved are less often lured by abductors. 

• Identify safe places and people in your neighborhood or on route to school where your children might go to find help if needed. Let them know that if they are afraid, they should go to these places. 
• Establish solid communication with your children. Develop open dialogue so they are able to confide in you in case of trouble. 
• Teach your child to avoid people they don't know. Make sure they know to never get into a car with anyone without your permission. 
• When going out shopping or to a park, designate with your child a specific place to meet if you and your child become separated. 

• Teach your children never to open the door to anyone while at home alone, including salespeople or delivery people. 
• Explain to your child never to answer the phone and tell the caller that he/she is home alone. Give your child a prepared statement such as "Daddy/Mommy cannot come to the phone right now…can I take a message?" 
• Teach children that adults do not usually ask children directions. If someone should stop in a car asking for directions, tell your child not to approach the car, and to run away immediately. 
• Teach older children to come home before dark, and to check in if they have a change in plans. 

• Be aware of your child's friends, their parent's names and phone numbers. 
• Know your child's schedule and the activities they participate in after school. Ask your child to always call home if their routine changes. 
• Caution you child about adults who might try to recruit him/her to carry packages out to a car or suggest that the child come with him or her for any reason. Abductors may flatter your child or offer money to accompany them under a false pretense. 
• Build open and honest communications with your child.