Child Safety

Here are some child safety rules courtesy of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – our thanks to Detective Carl Filsinger of the Weston PD for passing these on. Please feel free to forward to a friend. It is always a good idea to remind children of these rules from time to time. Just by discussing them you have empowered your children to say no to strangers.

  • If you are in a public place, and you get separated from your parents, don’t wander around looking for them. Go to a checkout counter, the security office, or lost and found and quickly tell the person in charge that you have lost your mom and dad and need help finding them. (hint: look for a person in uniform.)
  • You should not get into a car or go anywhere with any person unless your parents have told you that it is okay.
  • If someone follows you on foot or in a car, stay away from him or her. You don’t need to go near a car to talk to people inside.
  • Grownups and other people who need help should not be asking children for help; they should be asking older people.
  • No one should be asking you for directions or to look for a “lost puppy” or telling you that your mother or father is in trouble and that he will take you to them.
  • If anyone tries to take you somewhere, quickly get away from him or her and yell or scream, “This man is trying to take me away” or “This person is not my father or mother”.
  • You should always try to use the “buddy system” and never go places alone.
  • Always ask you parent’s permission to leave the yard or play area or go to someone’s house.
  • Never hitchhike or try to get a ride with anyone unless your parents have told you it is okay to ride with him or her.
  • No one should ask you to keep a special secret. If he or she does, tell your parents or teacher.
  • If someone wants to take your picture, tell him or her NO and tell your parents or teacher.
  • No one should touch you in the parts of your body covered by the bathing suit, nor should you touch anyone else in those areas. Your body is special and private.
  • You can be assertive, and you have the right to say NO to someone who tries to take you somewhere, touches you, or makes you feel uncomfortable in any way.