Crime and Preventions Tips from JBM Patrol and Protection

Precautions for Children, Home and Family

It's important to teach young children how to protect themselves when away from home and while alone in the home. Statistically, the risks of a stranger deliberately harming children are low. It's still a good idea to teach them some safety rules without making them frightened of everyone. There are also several precautions you can take as a parent to ensure your child's safety. Security measures for your children are:

• Children should be instructed not to talk to strangers, or accept their gifts or rides.
• A parent should accompany small children to school or the bus stop.
• Advise children of the actions to take should they be approached by a stranger.
• Instruct school administrators not to disseminate personal information to anyone.
• Determine your child's school absence notification policy. Parents should be notified within two hours of the start of class if their child is not present and the school has not been notified of the absence. If not, request this from school administrators.
• Request that school administrators not release the child from school without your written consent. The child should be met at the principal’s office, not outside the building.
• Children should be encouraged to advise you of any stranger's attempts to talk to them.
• Teach your children what to do should they get lost, such as go to a police officer, security officer, shop owner, another person with young children, the fire station, etc.
• Advise them to never give out information to persons on the telephone.