My name is Tod Petit. I am the school counselor at Stingel Primary School and Stingel Intermediate School. I work with students, parents, teachers, and others to ensure that students have a successful experience at school.

What You can do to Protect Your Child

Children are our Nation’s most precious resource, but as children, they often lack the skills to protect themselves. It is our responsibility, as parents and teachers, to safeguard children and to teach them the skills to be safe. My spring webpage is designed to help you talk to your children about how to protect themselves against abduction and exploitation.

What are the risks to your child?

Ø Children of every age, gender, and race are vulnerable to child abduction.

Ø When the abductor is unrelated to the child, the abductor is just as likely to be someone known to the child or family as to be a stranger.

Ø Be alert. Over 50% of the children kidnapped in non-family abductions were taken from the street, in a vehicle, or from a park or wooded area. Almost 75% of those children kidnapped in family abductions were taken from their own or another’s home or yard

. How to talk to your child?

Ø A parent is the best person to teach a child about personal safety.

Ø Effective personal safety skills are smart thinking, strong character, and sticking together.

Ø Now is the time to talk to your children. Age and maturity matter. There is no perfect age when parents should begin teaching children about personal safety.

Ø A child’s ability to comprehend and practice safety skills is affected by age, educational, and developmental levels.

Ø Listen to your children.

Ø Know your child’s daily activities and habits.

Ø Listen to what they like and what they don’t like.

Ø Encourage open communication. Let your children know they can talk to you about any situation.

Ø Reassure your children that their safety is you #1 concern.

Ø Teach your children.

Ø Set boundaries about places they may go, people they may see, and things they may do.

Ø Reinforce the importance of the “buddy system.”

Ø It’s okay to say, “NO.” Tell your children to trust their instincts.

Ø Get involved.

Ø Know where your children are at all times.

Ø Your children should check in with you if there is a change in plans.

Ø There is no substitute for your attention and supervision.

Ø Practice safety skills with your child.

Ø Rehearse safety skills so that they become second nature.

What you can do to help your child

Safety at Home

Ø Children should know their full name, phone number and how to use the telephone. Post your contact information where your children will see it: Office phone number, cell phone, pager, etc.

Ø Children should have a trusted adult to call if they’re scared or have an emergency.

Ø Choose babysitters with care. Obtain references from family, friends, and neighbors. Once you have chosen the caregiver, drop in unexpectedly to see how your children are doing. Ask your children how the experience with the caregiver was, and listen carefully to their responses.

Safety in the Neighborhood

Ø Make a list with your children of their neighborhood boundaries, choosing significant landmarks.

Ø Interact regularly with your neighbors. Tell your children whose homes they are allowed to visit.

Ø Don’t drop your children off alone at malls, movie theaters, video arcades, or parks.

Ø Teach your children that adults should not approach children for help or directions. Tell your children that if they are approached by an adult, they should stay alert because this may be a “trick.”

Ø Never leave children unattended in an automobile. Children should NEVER hitchhike or approach a car when they don’t know and trust the driver.

Ø Children should never go anywhere with anyone without getting your permission first.

Safety at school

Ø Be careful when you put you child’s name on clothing, backpacks, lunch boxes or bicycle license plates. If a child’s name is visible, it may put them on a “first name” basis with an abductor.

Ø Walk the route to and from school with your children, pointing out landmarks and safe places to go if they’re being followed or need help. Make a map with your children showing acceptable routes to school, using main roads and avoiding shortcuts or isolated areas. If your children take a bus, visit the bus stop with them and make sure they know which bus to take.

What your child can do (the rules for younger children)

Ø I know my name, address, telephone number, and my parents’ names.

Ø I always check first with my parents or the person in charge. I tell them before I go anywhere or get into a car, even with someone I know.

Ø I always check first with my parents or a trusted adult before I accept anything from anyone, even from someone I know.

Ø I always take a friend with me when I go places or play outside.

Ø I say NO if someone tries to touch me or treat me in a way that makes me feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.

Ø It’s okay to say no, and I know that there will always be someone who can help me.

Ø I know that I can tell my parents or a trusted adult if I feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.

Ø I am strong, smart, and have the right to be safe.

What your teen can do (the rules for older children)

Ø Don’t go out alone. There is safety in numbers. This rule isn’t just for little kids, it applies to teens too.

Ø Always tell an adult where you’re going. Letting someone know where you’ll be at all times is smart. If you’re faced with a risky situation or get into trouble, your family and friends will know where to find you.

Ø Say NO if you feel threatened. If someone – anyone – touches you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, you have the right to say NO. Whether it is pressure about sex, drugs, or doing something that you know is wrong, be strong and stand your ground.

What your child can do at school and at home

Ø Always take a friend when walking or riding your bike to and from school. Stay with a group wile waiting at the bus stop. It’s safer and more fun to be with your friends.

Ø If anyone bothers you wile going to or from school, get away from that erson, and tell a trusted adult like your parents or teacher.

Ø If an adult approaches you for help or directions, remember grownups needing help should not ask children for help; they should ask other adults.

Ø If someone you don’t know or feel comfortable with offers you ride, say no.

Ø If someone follows you, get away from him or her as quickly as you can. Always be sure to tell your parents or a trusted adult what happened.

Ø If someone tries to take you somewhere, quickly get away and yell, “This person is trying to take me away!” or “This person is not my father (mother)!”

Ø If you want to change your plans after school, always check first with your parents. Never play in parks, alls, or video arcades by yourself.

Ø If you go home alone after school, check to see that everything is okay before you go in. Once inside, call your parents to let them know that you are okay. Make sure you follow you “Home Alone” tips.

Ø Trust your feelings. If someone makes you feel scared or uncomfortable, get away as fast as you can and tell a trusted adult.

Additional Resources for Parents and Children

http://mcgruff-safe-kids.com/

www.netsmartz.org

www.missingkids.com

www.cybertipline.com

www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/crimesmain.htm

http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/pubs/missing.html