The South Pasadena Police Department sent Patch a list of safety tips for parents to share with their children. Following these suggestions will help kids to be safe and teach them to recognize danger signs.
It’s also a good time for parents who have special rules, for example a list of people who can pick up their children or secret safety words, to review those. Here’s what to tell the kids:
On the way to and from school and activities
- Don’t talk to strangers and never get close to a stranger’s vehicle
- Don’t believe any story they may tell to get close
- Never accept rides from a stranger
- Walk with friends
- Know the routes to school and consider having a safe place, such as a friend’s home or store, on the way
- Never give your name of address to a stranger
- If a stranger is following you, walk in the opposite direction and return to school or go to a store and call police
- Yell and scream if a stranger attempts to grab you, and run away
- Know where emergency call boxes are located. They have a blue light atop a red pole and connect directly to the police department.
- 911 is a free call from any pay phone
- If you have a cell phone, store the police department number on it. In South Pasadena, (626) 403-7297 goes directly to the dispatcher.
- Carry identification with the names and phone numbers of your parents or guardian
- Avoid wearing clothes, backpacks, or other items with your name easily visible; a stranger can pretend to know you if he or she knows your name
At home alone
- Never open the door to strangers
- Have all emergency numbers listed
- Never say that you are home alone
- Let the answering machine pick up telephone calls
- Do not allow anyone in the house without your parent’s permission
- If you return home and notice an open or broken window, do not go in; call the police from a neighbor’s house
For parents
- Know your children’s friends and who they hang around
- Children are curious. Lock up all medications and firearms.
