Keeping Our Kids Safe

Personal Safety

• Don’t go anywhere, accept anything, or get into a car with anyone before first checking with your parent, guardian or trusted adult
• Don’t go out alone. Take a friend with you, even when playing outside
• Say NO if someone tries to touch you
• Say NO if someone treats you in a way that makes you scared, uncomfortable, or confused. Run away from them, and call your parents as quickly as possible
• Tell your parent, guardian, or a trusted adult if you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused

• Should I accept gifts or rides from Strangers?
• Why is it important to be alert?
• What should I do when I’m home alone?

Online Safety

• Don’t give out personal information about yourself, your family situation, your school, your telephone number or your address
• Tell your parents right away if you come across something that makes you feel uncomfortable
• Don’t ever agree to get together with someone you “meet” online without first checking with your parents. If they agree to the meeting, bring one of them along
• Never send a person your picture or anything else without first checking with your parents
• Don’t respond to messages that are mean or in any way make you feel uncomfortable. Tell your parents right away so they can contact the online service

Vehicle Safety

• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers, with 16 year-olds having higher crash rates than drivers of any other age. In fact, 16-year-olds are three times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than the average of all drivers
• Don’t become a statistic. To learn about how to become a safe teen driver click on the link for your state:
  
  Alabama
  California
  Florida
  Indiana
  Michigan 

Conflict Resolution

• Anger is a normal feeling. How you handle your anger and how you deal with other people who are angry is what counts. An effective response can ensure confrontation doesn’t end in violence
• Be aware of triggers. Triggers are any verbal or nonverbal behaviors that provoke anger or other negative emotional reactions. Pay close attention to your words and your body language. Avoid triggering a bad response
• Walking away from a dangerous situation is a great example of a strategy people use to control their anger
• To resolve conflict, you must stay calm to communicate
• Even though your anger may be legitimate, it usually doesn’t help to show your anger to the other person. Sometimes the other person will take you more seriously if you remain calm and courteous
• A good goal to have is to be able to get angry without becoming abusive or violent. If you can do this then you can communicate your wants and needs effectively without threatening others