Everyone knows the universal warning that kids shouldn't talk to strangers, especially while on their way to or from school. But today's schoolchildren need more information than that, and parents need to become proactive in protecting their kids from possible danger.
Start by mapping the safest route to school for children who must walk. Whether in rural or urban areas, choose streets with a fair amount of traffic, and teach your kids to walk against the flow of traffic. They should learn to tread the left-hand sidewalk against the direction of oncoming cars. That will make it harder for a driver to pull over and park while trying to nab a child. Also direct your kids away from wooded or secluded areas. Remind them not to take shortcuts.
If your kids ride the school bus, encourage them to sit with a friend or sibling so they do not become vulnerable to other children's bullying. It may be a good idea to sit near the driver at the front of the bus if the other kids tend to become rowdy. It's a good idea to remind your children to check their bus number before boarding and to watch for other buses or traffic when getting off the bus. Be sure to provide the driver with a note if your child will be getting off at another stop to visit a friend; this helps the driver ensure that kids get off only where they are supposed to.
Try to pair your child with others in the area that they can walk to school with. This helps provide safety in numbers as well as accountability in case your child is tempted to skip school or run off with mischievous children.
Educate your kids about the dangers of gang behavior or drug use if you live in an area where these things are visible. Give your child tips on how to say "no" to temptation or coercion, and perhaps more importantly, avoid others who are involved in these things.
Train your son or daughter not to trespass on others' property. Without adult authorization, they may get hurt trying to climb a fence or a tree, or someone might try to abduct them, which is often the case with kidnapped children who are taken by neighbors. Construction sites or utility areas should be off limits, too.
In addition, a cute dog in someone's yard may turn out to have protective tendencies that lead to an attack on children who attempt to pet the animal. The same goes for wild animals, especially those that act sick or unusual, as they may have rabies and bite your child.
The universal advice still holds true as well: Kids should never stop to talk to or help strangers who offer them anything, from candy to toys. Instead, kids should report any suspicious persons to a police officer or their teachers upon arrival at school.
You may want to accompany your child the first few days en route to a new school. Look for possible temptations or obstacles to point out to your child as you go. An ounce of prevention is worth several pounds of cure in this case when it comes to protecting your child.
