Things To Teach Your Children

To keep your child safe, ensure that they know:

• Their name, address and telephone number (including area code).
• That they should not provide their name, address, telephone number or name of their school to a person they don't know.
• How to dial 911 and describe an emergency situation.
• The route you expect them to take to and from school.
• That you have to know where they are at all times.
• That they must ask you if they are allowed to go outside or another location.
• That they must call you if their plans change.

The "No" List

Examples:

Say no to responding to a stranger who asks for directions or help.

Say no to answering the door when home alone.

Say no if someone invites you into their home or car without your parent's permission.

Say no if offered a gift from a stranger or acquaintance.

Say no to meeting someone who contacts you online.

Say no if someone who tries to touch you without permission or make you feel uncomfortable.

Say no, scream, fight and runaway if a person attempting to pull you into a car, house or other location.

If your child is missing

• Conduct a search: your home, neighborhood, nearby schools, shopping centers, friends' homes, and social networking accounts.
• Call your local police. Remember, there is no waiting period to report a person as missing!
• Provide police with a recent photograph of your child.
• Provide the local police with your child's fingerprint card, dental and medical records.

Tips for parents on how to keep your children safe

• Never leave your children alone in a car.
• Do not visibly write your children's name on their clothing, jewelry, backpacks or toys.
• Notice when someone pays undue attention to your children, even if it is a family member or friend.
• Know who your children's friends are and maintain a list of their parent's names and phone numbers.
• Encourage your children to communicate their feelings, and never belittle any fear or concern they have, real or imaginary.
• Role play with your children: help them practice what to do if they are alone are approached by a stranger.
• Teach your children to look for a police officer, store employee or mother with children to assist them if they become lost.
• Always keep a current photo of your children.
• Have your children fingerprinted and keep the cards in a safe place.
• Know where to obtain your children's dental and medical records.
• Check the Florida sex offender website and sign up to receive notifications when a sex offender moves into your area.
• When your children are traveling, know the license plate number of the vehicle they are traveling in, who they will be with, where they are going, which route they plan to take and what time they should be expected to return.

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Educating Children on Personal Safety

www.netsmartz.org

Safe Passage to and from School