Use the Buddy System

• Whether you're walking to and from school or waiting at a bus stop, having a buddy can help you stay safe.
• Your buddy can be a friend from school, an older sibling or an adult approved by your parents.
• Be a good buddy. Help your buddy to make good choices and stay away from people you don't know.
• Never accept a ride home or go anywhere without permission from your parents.

Avoid Dangerous Situations

• Don't accept candy, food or presents from people you don't know.
• Don't stop to play around adults or older children you don't know.
• Always keep a safe distance from traffic and people in cars.
• Adults should not ask children they don't know for help such as finding a lost pet or directions.
• If a person calls your over to his/her car, back away.

Run, Scream and Fight

• If a person tries to get you in the car, turn and run away.
• Always fight back to get away from a person who tries to take you.
• Yell loud enough to attract attention and scare the person away. People will help if they know you are in trouble.
• Run home as fast as you can. You can also go to a friend's house, back to school or to another safe place.

Show and Tell

• If someone hurts you or tries to take you, tell a trusted adult what happened.
• If the bus is there, get on board and tell the driver what happened. If you walk to school, tell your teacher, bus patrol or principal.
• Show your parents, school administrator or police where the person tried to take you and any injuries that you received while getting away.

Safety Begins at Home

• If you are at home alone, keep all the doors locked. Don't open the door unless it is for your parents or someone else who takes care of you.
• Don't tell anyone that you are home alone.
• Don't tell people online your full name, address, phone number or where you go to school.
• Make sure you ask your parents before you leave the house or if your plans change.

Tips for Parents

• If your child misses the school bus, tell him/her not to accept a ride from anyone not pre-approved by you as a backup.
• If your family uses a code word, it should be difficult to guess and changed after each use.
• Help your child plan the best route to take when walking to school. Never use shortcuts.
• Help monitor the bus stop or arrange for other parents to monitor it.
• Report any suspicious people or vehicles hanging around the bus stop.
• If your child walks to school, consider starting a walking school bus for your neighborhood.
• Require your child to let you know where they are at all times and call you when they arrive.
• Tell your child to run away from anyone who tries to take him/her, even if the person has a weapon.
• Help your child locate safe places they can go if they are in trouble.
• Teach your child how to spot trouble and avoid dangerous situations.
• Teach your child how to describe people and vehicles.
• Ask your child to let you know about anything that seems suspicious.
• Emphasize to your child that they should never hitchhike or get in a car with someone they don't know.

www.fdle.state.fl.us www.secureflorida.org www.nationalsafeplace.org www.netsmartz.org www.take25.org