Welcome kids! Remember your parents are a great source of information, but sometimes we need help or guidance in handling a problem. We have included some tips on how to handle certain situations on our web page for you and your parents to read and talk about. Please send us an email if you have any questions about the suggestions.
Stranger Danger
Who is a stranger?
A stranger is a person you have never met before; a person you may have seen before, but whom you don’t know anything about (for example, someone you’ve seen walking in your neighborhood); or a person whom your parents don’t know well
What do strangers look like?
Strangers can be men or women, young or old. They can have any color skin. Some are tall and skinny; some are short and fat. Some strangers are pretty and some are not so pretty. They can speak different languages. Most strangers are nice, but some strangers are mean. Because you don’t know if someone is a good stranger or a bad one, you should not talk to anyone you don’t know.
Should you ever get into a car with someone you and your parents don’t know?
NO. Never accept a ride from a stranger.
If a stranger tries to talk to you, what should you do?
Do not talk to the person. Get away fast and tell a trusted grown-up.
Who has a secret code word with their parents?
A secret code word is a word that only you and your parents know. If there is an emergency and someone you don’t know has to pick you up from school or from a friend’s house, ask that person the secret code word. If he or she doesn’t know the secret code word, don’t go. Get away and go to a grown-up you know and trust for help.
Separation From Parents
What should you do if you get lost?
If you get lost outside-in a park or zoo, for example-stop and stay where you are. You may be scared, but your Mom or Dad (or the grown-up you were with) will come looking for you. Walking around makes it harder for them to find you. If you see a police officer, tell him or her you are lost and ask for help. If you get lost in a store, stay calm and alert. Go to the cash register (the place where you pay) and tell them your name and that you are lost. The people who work in the store will find your Mom and Dad for you. Stay by the cash register until Mom or Dad comes. Don’t leave the building.
Do you know your Mom‘s and Dad’s first and last names? Do you know your address and phone number by heart?
If you don’t know these answers, practice them with your parents.
When Someone Knocks or Calls
Who is a stranger?
A stranger is a person you have never met before; a person you may have seen before, but whom you don’t know anything about (for example, someone you’ve seen walking in your neighborhood); or a person whom your parents don’t know well
What should you do when the doorbell rings or someone knocks?
Tell an adult who is at home. If a grown-up is not a home, do not open the door. Don’t even ask who it is. Ignore the knock, and wait for an adult who lives with you. If it’s important, the person will come back later. If a grown-up is there but is busy (in the yard, in the shower, asleep), tell the grown-up and let him or her answer the door. Do not open the door yourself!
What should you do when the phone rings and no grown-ups are around?
This is something that each family might have their own rule about. Ask your parent what your family’s rule is. One suggestion is to answer the phone politely. If Mom or Dad is close by, ask the caller to wait while you get them. If an adult is not available (in the yard, in the shower, asleep) say, “Everyone is busy. Please call back.” NEVER say that you are alone.
Bullies
What is a bully?
A bully is a person who picks on you or pushes you around.
What does a bully do?
Bullies tease, act tough, and sometimes hurt your feelings. Bullies try to scare you. Sometimes they push you around, hurt you, call you mean names, or take things from you.
Is it ever okay to be mean or nasty?
No. You need to treat everyone nicely-the way you want to be treated.
Should you call people names that make them feel bad?
No. Name calling is not okay. Some names you think are funny may hurt other people’s feelings.
Guns and Other Weapons
Do you ever find strange things on the playground or at home and not know what these things are? What should you do if you find something that looks like a weapon (gun or knife)?
There are always things around that you aren’t sure about. You should never touch or pick up anything that you have not seen before or anything that might be unsafe. Ask a trusted grown-up if you can touch these things. Always tell a grown-up right away if you find something that looks like a weapon or something you’re not sure about.
How can you tell whether a gun you see is real or a toy?
Often you can’t tell if a gun is real or a toy. If it looks like a gun, treat it as if it were real and move away from it as quickly as possible. Tell a grown-up.
If you find a gun or other weapon what do you do?
Stop. Don’t touch. Leave the area. Tell a trusted grown-up.
Bike Safety/Theft Prevention
The below safety tips are provided by The National Crime Prevention Council.
- Always lock your bicycle.
- If your bicycle is at home, keep it in a locked garage, basement or room, not in the yard or driveway.
- Lock your bicycle by placing a chain or cable through both wheels, the frame and around a stationary object. If you use a bicycle rack, place the chain or cable through one wheel and the frame.
- Use a high quality lock and case-hardened chain or cable to lock your bike.
- Record the serial number of your bicycle and keep it, along with the sales receipt.
- Register your bicycle with City Hall.
Do:
- Ride with traffic. Keep to the right of the road.
- Obey all traffic regulations.
- Use proper hand signals for turning or stopping.
- Stop and look both ways in order to make sure that sidewalks or streets are clear before entering a street.
- Walk your bicycle across busy streets at corners or crosswalks.
- Use proper headlights and red tail light or reflector when riding at night.
Don’t:
- Show off. Keep your hands on the handlebars.
- Zigzag, race or stunt-ride in traffic.
- Hitch rides on trucks or cars.
- Using The Telephone To Call For Help
