1. Always TAKE A FRIEND with you when walking or riding your bike to and from school. It’s safer and more fun to be with your friends. Walk and ride in well-lit areas, and never take short cuts. When walking and biking stay aware of your surroundings and observe all traffic rules in place to more safely share the roads and sidewalks with others.
2. Stay with a group while waiting at the bus stop. If anyone bothers you while going to or from school, get away from that person, and TELL a trusted adult like your parents, guardians, or teacher. If an adult approaches you for help or directions, remember grownups needing help should not ask children for help; they should ask other adults.
3. If someone you don’t know or feel comfortable with offers you a ride, say NO. Never hitchhike, and only accept a ride from someone if your parents or guardians told you it is okay.
4. If someone follows you on foot, get away from him or her as quickly as you can. If someone follows you in a car, turn around and go in the other direction. Always be sure to TELL your parents, guardians, or another trusted adult what happened.
5. If someone tries to take you somewhere, quickly get away and yell, “This person is trying to take me away!” or “This person is not my father/mother/guardian!”
6. Never leave school with someone you don’t feel comfortable with or know. Always CHECK FIRST with your parents, guardians, or another trusted adult. If someone you don’t know or feel comfortable with tells you that there is an emergency and they want you to go with them, always CHECK FIRST before you do anything. Make sure you TELL a trusted adult if
you notice someone you don’t know hanging around.
7. Leave items and clothing with your name on them at home. If someone you don’t know calls out your name, don’t be fooled or confused.
8. If you want to change your plans after school, always CHECK FIRST with your parents or guardians. Never play in parks, malls, or video arcades by yourself. Make sure that you always play with other children, have your parents’ or guardians’ permission to play in specific areas, and always let them know where you are going to be. Never accept money or gifts from anyone until you CHECK FIRST with your parents or guardians.
9. If you go home alone after school, check to see that everything is okay before you go in. Once inside, call your parents or guardians to let them know that you are okay. Make sure you follow your “Home Alone” rules of keeping the door locked; not opening the door for or talking to anyone who stops by unless the person is a trusted family friend or relative, you feel comfortable being alone with that person, and the visit has been
preapproved by your parents or guardians; and not telling people who call that you are home alone. Have a neighbor or trusted adult you can call if you’re scared or there’s an emergency.
10. Trust your feelings. If someone makes you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused, get away as quickly as you can and TELL a trusted adult what happened. You deserve to feel safe, and there will always be someone who can help you.
Copyright © 1994 National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). All rights reserved.
1-800-THE-LOST® (1-800-843-5678)
www.missingkids.com
This project was supported by Grant No. 1998-MC-CX-K002 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® and 1-800-THE-LOST® are registered service marks of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.