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Ohio
County Sheriff's Office |
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SAFETY
TIPS |
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PERSONAL SAFETY FOR CHILDREN
* Establishing a system of
"family rules" about personal safety can be a good way to teach
children to distinguish between safe and non-safe situations. Many families
already have rules about bedtime, TV watching, chores, etc. By adopting rules
about personal safety, parents can teach good habits through reinforcement
and repetition without generating excessive fear. The following are
suggestions for personal safety rules that call be incorporated into a family
routine: INSIDE RULES * Kids should know their complete home address, telephone number including area code and parents' first and last names. * If kids are old enough to answer the phone, they should know how to call the police or 911. Practice with receiver button taped down. * Kids should be taught never to reveal any personal (their name, school, age, etc.) or family information over the phone unless permission has been given by parent. * If kids are home alone and answer a phone call for the absent parent, they should say "he/she can't come to the phone right now," and take a message or tell the caller to try later - don't make excuses, they sound phony. * It's OK not to answer the phone and to work out a code (ring twice, hang up and call again) so a parent can check on a child that is home alone. * Kids are old enough to answer the door when they are old enough to check the identity of the person at the door WITHOUT opening it. * Kids should help their parents
make sure doors that should be locked are locked. OUTSIDE RULES * Establish a system of accountability. Learn the full names of your kid's friends, their parents' names, addresses and phone numbers. Check to verify the accuracy if you get information from your kids. When your child is at a friend's home, who else is present? Parents? Older kids? Other neighbors? No one? * Know your child's routes to and from school, play and errands. Insist they stick to the same route - no shortcuts! If you have to look for them, you will know where to begin. * Kids should be taught never to go anywhere with anyone without parental permission. This includes getting permission a second time if plans change and calling to check before going from one friend's home to another location. * Kids should never play in isolated areas of parks or playgrounds, and should avoid public restrooms, building sites and dark, or lonely streets. * Teach kids alternatives; if they are bothered or followed to the playground, walking to a friend's home, school or store, where should they go? Walk these common routes with your child and look for choices. Can they go back into the school, in a store, or business (kids are reluctant to enter a strange store or business unless you give them permission) into a fire station or approach someone doing yardwork? * Knocking on the door of a stranger is a last resort. If they have no other choice they should look for a house with a light on (at night) or toys in the yard if possible and ask the homeowner to "please call the police, someone is bothering me," but not go inside the house. * Kid's best defenses are their voices and their legs. Teach them to run away from someone who is bothering them while yelling to attract as much attention as is possible. * Teach kids not to approach cars
that stop to ask for help. Most legitimate adults would not ask a young child
for directions anyway. If the car follows them or the driver gets out they
should run away and yell. BAD GUY RULES * Teach kids that "bad guys" can be anyone; society teaches kids bad guys are always ugly, mean and scary, and look like monsters. Bad guys are almost always portrayed as strangers. * Remember, a stranger is someone who is not known by the child. A friend of parents, a friend of the child's friend or a neighbor can be a stranger. And a stranger can be a good guy or a bad guy. * Some bad guys are attractive and act nice and friendly. Some bad guys play tricks on kids. Typical bad guy tricks include bribes (money, toys, games, or promises of those things), lies, (your mother told me to pick you up at school), requests for help (my puppy ran away, can you help me find him?) or threats (if you don't come with me I'll hurt your mom). * Teach kids that a bad guy is someone who asks them to violate family rules, e.g., someone who says they don't need permission to accompany them. * Develop a family "code word". If someone other than a parent is going to pick up a kid at school, that person should repeat the "code word" first before the kid agrees to leave the safety of the school grounds. The code word should remain a secret and be changed should others learn of it. * Teach your child that they should not be asked to touch anyone in the bathing suit areas of their body or allow anyone to touch them in those areas. Teach them types of situations to avoid. It's not good enough to tell a child to avoid strangers. * The single most effective means of protecting your children is communication with your child. They have to feel comfortable discussing sensitive matters with you. If they don't feel they can talk with you about their true feelings or that they will be "put down" for it, then you can't expect they will tell you when they are put in an uncomfortable situation by a child molester. For more information contact the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST
Or on the Web at GENERAL PERSONAL SAFETY OPTIONS Incidents of violence can occur anywhere at any time. Trust your gut feeling that something may be wrong. These are some guidelines that may help reduce potential vulnerability. Remember though, whether you choose to use the options or not, no one has the right to harm you.
* Be aware of your surroundings. Be familiar with who is coming or going - who belongs and who doesn't. * Know your neighbors and learn who can be called for assistance when needed. * Women may be safer using only first initials and last names on mailboxes and phone directories. * Change locks when you move into a new residence. Make sure your doors have dead bolt locks, security chains and peepholes. Use them! * Don't hide spare keys outside. * Check I.D.s when repair people, salespeople, meter readers, etc., come to the door. Don't hesitate to call and check them out or refuse them admittance if something feels wrong. * If you let someone in and have second thoughts, be assertive. Tell them to leave or leave yourself. Pretend you are not home alone by mentioning a friend or family member asleep in the next room. * Make sure entrances, garages, grounds, and hallways are well lighted. * Leave porch lights on at night or when you expect to return after dark. Leave an interior light on in a room or two with the shades drawn. Leave a radio on. * Instruct children and baby-sitters not to give out information about who is home, who is out or for how long. * Don't leave notes on your door for others or allow solicitor's material to remain on your doorknob since they advertise your absence. * If you suspect your home has been broken into, don't go in - go someplace else and call the police. * Always lock doors when doing yard work or otherwise spending time in the yard. If you have a portable phone, take it outside with you. * Be careful when using computer
Internet or on-line services. Use caution in providing personal information.
Being flooded with e-mail can be annoying; having a chat room participant
show up at your door uninvited can be terrifying. Be careful allowing your
child to use the Internet. IN YOUR CAR * Keep car doors locked at all times, and windows rolled up all the way. * If you have car trouble, raise the hood and stay in your vehicle. If someone offers you assistance, roll the window down just enough to talk to them. Ask them to stop at the first phone and call the Police for you. * Do not stop to help a stranger in a stalled vehicle - go to a safe place and report the stalled vehicle to the Police. * Don't pick up hitchhikers. * If someone tries to break into your car while you are in it, honk the horn in short, repeated blasts and try to drive away. * If you are being followed, don't go home. Drive to the nearest fire or Police station or to an open gas station - anyplace with people around. * Try to keep your car maintained, and keep your gas tank at least half full. * Park as close to your destination as possible, and in well-lighted areas whenever feasible. * If security staff are available to walk you to your car, don't be embarrassed to use them. * Check inside your car before getting in. * If your leave your keys with a parking attendant or at a service station, leave only the car key and not your house key. * Purchase/lease a cellular phone and keep it charged. Right down your local Law Enforcement numbers and keep them with the phone. * Always have your keys ready to
unlock the car door and enter without delay. You will appear vulnerable if
you are looking for your keys as you approach your car. ON THE STREET * Stay on populated, well lit streets. Avoid shrubbery, dark areas near buildings and other places an attacker might hide. Avoid shortcuts through alleys, vacant lots and other deserted places. When possible, avoid walking or jogging alone - even during the day. * Look around as you walk and be aware of your surroundings. Make it difficult for anyone to take you by surprise. Walk confidently and at a stead pace. * Avoid secluded or deserted areas and business (Laundromats, phone booths, etc.). * Carry something that can make a loud noise that can scare off possible attackers. * If using public transportation, sit near the driver. * If you a riding in a cab or with a friend, ask the driver to wait and watch until you are safely inside your destination. * Be cautious about revealing cash or credit cards. * Try to limit the number of items you carry. * If you carry a hand bag, hold it close to your body with the fastener closed and turned towards your body so a thief can't grab it and cause you injury or knock you down. "Fanny Packs" keep personal items close to you while keeping your hands free. Don't wear headphones. They block your ability to hear someone approach you. * Again, trust your instincts. Do not hesitate to remove yourself from the situation. Forget the rules of etiquette and social norms. Be willing to make a scene if necessary. Most rapes are not committed by strangers, but by men who know their victims. Your safety may depend on a quick and decisive action. ABOVE ALL, BE OBSERVANT AND AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AT ALL TIMES. For more information on services and shelters for victims you can contact The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network at 1-800-656-HOPE or on the Web at www.rainn.org West Virginia State Police The information on this page was acquired from pamphlets provided by the West Virginia State Police. |
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Site
created and maintained by Lieutenant Flick COPYRIGHT 1998 - 2006 © Ohio County Sheriff's Office |
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