Parents must take responsibility for their children's safety, wherever they are. Taking the time to teach them about safety and understanding your role is an effective way to prevent dangerous situations. The following information will provide you with some basic tips for improving your children's safety.

General Safety

• Know where your children are at all times.
• Teach your children to memorize their names, address and telephone number.
• Be familiar with your children's friends and their parents.
• Explain to your children that they should trust their feelings and have the right to say NO when they sense danger.
• Develop a 'safety password' or 'family code word' with your children.
• Teach your children not to accept candy or gifts, talk to or go anywhere with strangers.
• Teach your children how to dial the Operator and 911.

Safety in Public Places

• Never leave your children alone in a public place, even for a minute.
• Don't place your children's names on the outside of their clothing.
• Teach your children how to locate help if they become lost.
• Teach your children to scream if someone tries to take them away.
• Keep a photograph of your children with you at all times in case they become lost.

Safety At Home

• Teach children to never say they are alone if they answer the telephone.
• Teach your children to never answer the door if they are alone or without your permission.
• Teach your children how to escape the house in the event of a fire.
• Keep all weapons secured and unloaded and dangerous supplies out of children's reach.
• Post emergency numbers near the telephone.

Babysitter Safety

• Check the backgrounds/references of all babysitters.
• Explain to the babysitter exactly how your children are to be cared for, fed, disciplined, and give any other special instructions.
• Make sure babysitters have proper emergency contact information.

Child Care Safety

• Choose a reputable program. Check references.
• Ask if pre-employment background checks are performed on employees.
• Inspect all areas inside the building. No area should be off-limits to parents.
• Determine how they control people coming in and out of the center.
• Leave written instructions regarding who can pick up your children and any special dietary or medical needs.

School Safety

• Evaluate the policies and procedures of the school security and safety program.
• Leave written instructions with the teachers and school office on who can pick up your children.
• Ask your children questions about activities at school.