Want to know some ways you can keep yourself safe?

What to do about strangers:
Most strangers are nice and would never hurt you. Unfortunately, there are some people who are dangerous - and you can never tell who they are because a lot of them look safe. So the best thing to do is to not talk to strangers without a parent or someone else who takes care of you.

NEVER accept a ride or a present from someone you don’t know well unless your parent or someone else who takes care of you says it’s okay. Don’t go near a stranger’s car, even if they say they want to give you something or that they need your help.

If a stranger does or says something that scares you or makes you uncomfortable, scream “NO!!”as loud as you can, and RUN. Tell an adult - your parents, a police officer, or anyone else nearby - as soon as possible. If you are scared, try to run into a public place where there are lots of people if you can.

You can also protect yourself by staying in places and keeping to streets you know are safe and where there are a lot of people. If you get lost or start to feel unsafe, find a police officer, a security guard, or a store clerk. Try to carry a few emergency numbers with you - your home phone number, your parents’ work phone and cell phone numbers, and a neighbor’s phone number.

What to do about drugs, drinking, and smoking:
If someone offers you a cigarette, drugs, or alcohol (like beer or vodka), say “no” and walk away. Tell an adult you trust. Smoking, drinking, and doing drugs can really hurt your body (take it from us - we’re doctors!). Other kids may tell you these things won’t hurt you and that they’re fun, but that’s not true. Choose to hang out with friends who don’t smoke or use alcohol or drugs. If you find drugs, needles, or anything else that could be dangerous (like a knife or a gun), DON’T TOUCH THEM. Tell a police officer or another adult right away.

What to do about bullies:
If a bully threatens you, WALK AWAY and tell an adult. Never stick around and argue or fight with a bully. If you see a bully picking on someone else, tell an adult. Remember to treat other kids the way you want to be treated.

What to do on the Internet:
The Web can be great for finding information for school projects and keeping in touch with friends and family. Unfortunately, there are some people who use the Internet to try to hurt kids. People in chat rooms, on Instant Messenger, on websites, or on e-mail are not always who they say they are. If you don’t know someone personally (like a friend from school), it’s important to be careful.

NEVER EVER tell anyone on the Internet your name, address, phone number, or where you go to school. NEVER EVER send a picture of yourself or anyone else to someone without getting permission from your parents first. NEVER EVER agree to meet up with someone you met on the Web - even if you’ve been chatting or IM-ing with them for a long time and think you know them pretty well.

If anyone on the Internet writes something that makes you uncomfortable, tell an adult you trust right away.

What to do on a bike, skateboard, or rollerblades:
Before you get on your bike, board, or put on your blades, make sure you are wearing a HELMET! Even if you’ve never wiped out before, unexpected things can happen. You’re brain is very important and we don’t want it to get hurt. You’ve only got one brain, and you want to keep it!

If you’re riding, boarding, or blading on the street, be sure to obey the rules of the road. Ask your parents to help you make sure that your bike is the right size for you and that everything is working (like the brakes). Always let an adult know where you are going, and never bike, board, or blade at night unless the area is well-lighted.

What to do in the car:
BUCKLE YOUR SEATBELT - even if you’re in the backseat. Doctors have done a lot of research on how kids get hurt in car accidents - you’re much safer if you’re wearing a seatbelt. Make sure your parents and brothers and sisters are buckled up too! Make sure you’re buckled up correctly: the lap part of the belt should be low and tight across the upper part of your hips - NOT across your the upper part of your belly. The shoulder part of the seat belt should be across your chest and shoulder - NOT under your arm or across your neck or face.

Here are some sheets and links with good information to help you stay safe:
(You may need Acrobat Reader to view some of these pages; if you don’t have it, click here to get it.)
Safety Smart Sheets for you and your parents - learn about safety with fun activities!
Head Smart Activity Book - learn about how to protect your head.
Watch Out! by KidsHealth. Staying safe means you can have more fun! Learn how to play it safe at home, outdoors, and on the road during any season of the year.
McGruff.org is just for kids. Got a question about staying safe? Ask McGruff for advice. Learn basic safety rules with Scruff through games, puzzles, and comics. Find out how you can help Take A Bite Out Of Crime!
Stay Alert...Stay Safe. Join Bert, Gert, and the Alert Twins to learn about how to stay safe.