Keeping Your Kids Safe When Traveling To And From School
Another school year is about to start, and with all the preparation that comes with the start of a new school year, there is something that is often overlooked by parents. Child safety for children, especially those riding their bicycle or walking to and from school. I'm not talking about looking both ways before crossing the street, I'm talking about the possibility of child abduction.
Millions of kids hit the streets to get to and from school everyday, and 32% of attempted abductions happened when a child was traveling to or from school or a school related event. The best thing you can do as a parent, is prepare your children and give them the knowledge needed to stay safe.
Parents should also check the available websites showing registered sex offenders in their neighborhood in preparation of back to school, and make their children aware of the fact that they need to stay away from those houses.
The National Center For Missing & Exploited Children urges parents to know the rules, and make sure their children know them too.
Instruct your children to always take a friend, always stay in well lit areas and never take shortcuts or travel through isolated areas.
Walk the route to and from school with your children, and along the way, point out landmarks and safe places they can go if they're being followed or need help. Even go as far as to make a map highlighting these places for them.
If your children wait at a bus stop, arrange supervision for them while they're waiting on the bus.
Tell your children to inform you or another trusted adult if they're approached by someone that makes them feel scared or uncomfortable. Also, if they're approached by an adult that asks them for directions, tell them to get away to a safe place fast. Adults don't ask children for directions, they ask other adults.
Children should never approach vehicles, or take candy or money offered by a stranger.
Never let your children where clothing that has their name, first or last, on it when walking to school. If they have a jersey for a sport they play, they should pack it in their backpack during their travels.
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