Street Proofing your Kids

Telling your children to “never talk to strangers” is an excellent start in keeping our children safe from today’s predators. With the days getting shorter and Halloween fast approaching the Halton Regional Police Service would like to share the following guidelines to assist parents and caregivers ensure their child’s safety.

1. Know who your child plays with and where they go. This includes keeping a list of their friend’s addresses and phone numbers. Teach your child to play safe, and play together. Tell them never to play in remote areas of parks, or take short cuts through the woods.

2. Do not leave your child in unsupervised locations, such as cars, parks, public washrooms, arenas, parks and plazas, etc. Tell your child to notify you where they are going, and who they will be with.

3. Teach your child never to go anywhere with a stranger, not to talk to strangers and never take anything from them, such as candy or rides. A stranger is anyone your child has not been introduced to by you. Also teach your child what a “safe stranger” is in case they need help. A safe stranger includes a police officer, a teacher, a fire fighter etc.

4. Teach your child where to go and how to get help. Go with them on their regularly traveled routes and find out where the pay telephones are and show your child how to use 9-1-1 for emergencies.

5. Develop a “what if” game for the kids to get them thinking of how they would respond if they felt afraid.

6. Your child’s body is private. Tell your child that no one may touch the area that his or her bathing suit covers. If someone tries to touch them, they should say “NO” and advise you immediately.

7. Teach your child to talk to you immediately when someone does anything that makes them feel strange or uncomfortable. Listen when your child is trying to tell you about something that bothers them and provide them with support and understanding.

8. Watch for changes in your child’s behaviour as it could indicate something is wrong. i.e.: hesitation to go with certain people; loss of appetite; withdrawal or depression; aggressiveness, etc.

9. Go with your child to the bus stop and meet them when they return from school.

10. Encourage your child to use a buddy system instead of walking alone. Tell them not to loiter on the way to and from school.

11. Make prearrangements with your child that should an emergency occurs that prevents you or your child’s regular caregiver from picking them up, a specific person your child already knows will attend instead.

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