SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDS

FROM McGruff THE CRIME DOG

 

Do you ever have to take care of yourself after school or while your parents are running an errand?
Do you have to watch a brother or sister, too? Taking care of yourself is a big responsibility, but
you can handle it if you follow these tips!

Make sure you know how to reach your parents at work and what to do in case of a fire or
     other emergency. Learn all the local emergency phone numbers - 911 for fire, police, and
     ambulance. Make sure they're posted near all phones in your home.
Be sure you know how to use the telephone correctly and how to make local, long distance
     and emergency calls and how to get the operator.
Check in with Mom or Dad or a trusted neighbor as soon as you get home.
Make sure you know how to work the door and window locks and always lock the door
     after you come in.
When you're home alone, never open the door for anyone you don't know well or are
      unsure of.
With Mom or Dad, select a place to keep keys and emergency money.
 Never go anywhere with another adult, even one who says he or she has been sent by
     your parents. You and your parents might want to adopt a secret "code word" as a signal
     if another adult has to pick you up.
 If anything happens to you while you're alone that makes you feel uncomfortable, tell an
     adult you trust. Always! Every time!
Never let a caller at the door or on the phone know that you're alone. Always say, "Mom
     can't come to the phone(or door) right now."

OUT AND AROUND

While you're walking or playing outdoors, remember:

  Always travel with a friend. Two heads are better than one.
  A stranger is anyone you and your parents don't know well.
  You must never take candy, money, medicine, or anything else from a stranger
  Avoid strangers who seem to be hanging around the playground or school. Tell your
      teacher or another adult you trust.
  When frightened, run to the nearest person you find - a police officer, a person working in
       a yard, or a neighborhood house or store.
  If a stranger in a car bothers you, turn and run in the opposite direction. It's not easy for a
      car to change directions suddenly.
  Strangers can be tricky - they can ask you to walk with them to "show" them something,
      they can offer to pay for your video game, or ask you to help them find a lost pet. Don't
      be fooled!!!
  Have your Mom or Dad - or both of them - walk your school route with you to make
      sure it's safe. Always stick to the same safe route in going and coming from school, and
      never hitch hike - never!
  Don't tell anyone your name and address when you're walking, and don't think that be-
      cause someone knows your name that they know you - maybe they're just looking at
      your name printed on your tee shirt or backpack.
  If a stranger tries to follow you on foot or tries to grab you, scream and make lots of
      noise. The stranger doesn't want any attention.
  Some adults can tell you what to do - such as a teacher or police officer. But no adult
      can tell you what to do just because he or she is bigger than you. If you are ever in a
      situation that makes you uncomfortable in any way, you have the right to say "NO"
      loud and clear.

FEELING FUNNY ABOUT BEING TOUCHED?

  You kids know a lot about safety rules, but I want to be sure you know these
          special rules. Take some tips from me, McGruff - the Crime Dog.
   Remember that you're allowed to say "NO" loud and clear if any adult wants
           to touch a part of your body and you don't want them to - even if it's someone
           you know.
  If you feel "funny" about what somebody older than you says or does to you, be
          sure to tell an adult you trust. Tell them exactly what makes you feel "funny."

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.