Ways to protect children

How can you protect your child from predator

Safety tips

• Talk to your children about how to prevent putting themselves into uncomfortable situations.
• Come up with a code word that your child knows. If someone other than his or her guardians is picking them up, that person should know of the code word. That way, your child can ask if they know the code word, and if they do, they know that they are safe and are supposed to go with them.
• Teach your child techniques to physically fight back. Programs such as radKIDS are a great way to get your child actively aware of the danger in the world and how to prevent getting hurt.
• If your child answers the phone and is asked to talk to an adult while home alone, say either, "They are not available, may I take a message?" or "They are in the shower. Would you mind calling back later?" That way, the person on the other line doesn't know they are home alone.
• Always travel in groups. Use the buddy system.
• Adults should ask other adults for help. If a stranger approaches your child, tell them to politely say no, I can not help you
• Teach your kids at an early age that the police are the good guys and how to properly call 911 in case of an emergancy
• Make learning about safety fun. Here is a fun activity that you and your children can do and make: http://pinterest.com/pin/70228075410581588/

Tips for talking to your child

• Talk about “stranger safety”o If you have a problem, tell an adult and keep telling until you get helpo Role play situations with strangers to practice how your child should act.
  • o Most people are good, but a few have problems that might cause them to hurt children
  • o Don’t make your child scared about “danger”
  • o A stranger is just someone they don’t know and can look like anyone
  • o It’s ok to get help from a stranger if there is an emergency and no one else is around
    • Police officers, firemen, and teachers are good people to ask for help
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• o Kids don’t need to be scared as long as they know the safety “rules”
  • Check with the adult in charge before you let a stranger get close to you, talk to you, or give you anything (even if someone says not to)
  • Adults should ask other adults for help, not kids
  • With people that your kids know:
    • o Any touching has to be safe and both people’s choice
    • o No one should touch your private areas (covered by a bathing suit) or ask you to touch theirs
    • o No secrets!
      • § Touching, gifts, games someone asks you to play- anything that makes you uncomfortable
      • § Safe versus unsafe secrets- things that bother you, might break safety rules
      • If kids make a mistake or something goes wrong that endangers their safety, make sure they know it’s not their fault. Instead of blaming themselves, they should focus on getting help
      • If kids are faced with someone who has a weapon:
        • o Acknowledge that they will probably feel scared and they could get hurt, but tell them that often they can still get to safety
        • o Tell them that if they have any room at all they should run, or throw something and run
        • Don’t get caught up in answering too many questions about what could happen in a dangerous situation and make the child afraid- focus on what they can do to stay safe. Tell them only what they need to know.
        • Children have the right to be rude if they are afraid
        • Remind your child often that you will listen to anything they have to say, and ask them, “Is there anything you’re worried about or wondering about that you want to tell me?”

http://www.kidpower.org/library/article/safe-without-scared/