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Staying Safe
Although crime and violence exist in the United States, the crime rate
differs throughout the country. No matter where you live, you should
take basic precautions, such as locking your home and car, never
carrying large amounts of cash with you, and knowing which neighborhoods
to avoid at night.
Helpful Tips
Door Safety:
Doors should be locked. Don’t open doors until you ask the person
through the door to identify themselves. Children should not open the
door, an adult should, and then only if proper identification has been
given. Explain to children the rules about answering the door. Make a
list for them of who they can open the door to and post the list near
the door.
Fire Safety:
Children should be taught about appliances in the house so that they do
not accidentally injure themselves. Children should be taught how to
protect themselves in case of fire. Teach the child the technique of:
STOP, DROP AND ROLL. You should not run if your clothes are on fire
instead, you must: STOP, DROP AND ROLL. Cover your face, drop to
your knees and roll over on the part of your clothing that is on fire.
Keep rolling until the fire is out. Another technique with fire is
GET LOW AND GO. When there is fire, there is smoke. Smoke actually
kills more people than fire. Smoke rises, therefore you must get low,
next to the floor and crawl to avoid most of the smoke. Explain to your
children how to get out of the house in case of a fire.
Traffic signals:
Explain to children the common traffic symbols. A green light means you
can cross but before walking, look Left-Right-Left to make sure there
are no on-coming cars. A yellow light means you should wait if you have
not started crossing. If you are already in middle of a crosswalk, you
should pick up your pace. A red light means you should not cross under
any circumstances.
Bicycle Safety:
- Keep your bike in good condition
- Always lock up your bike
- Wear a helmet (it’s the law for
riders under 18)
- Watch for car doors opening
- Keep away from broken glass,
litter, or broken pavement
- Keep both hands on the handlebars
- Don’t ride double
(two people sharing one seat)
- Drive on the right-hand of the
road
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Stay in the bike lane while riding in the street
Car Safety:
For children and adults, lock car doors, put on safety belt, children
under 60 lbs. and under 6 years of age should be placed in a
car seat which is buckled
to the car seat. Adults also need to be buckled up and this demonstrates
to the children that the same rules and safety precautions are followed
by adults. In California, the law says you must use seatbelts and child
car seats when driving.
Home Alone:
Children should be taught when left at home alone that taking care of
themselves is a big job and a large responsibility. Children often get
bored when alone, give children many activities that they can occupy
their time: reading a book, doing homework, drawing or painting, talking
to a friend on the phone, playing a game, writing a letter to a friend
or relative, exercising, doing chores around the home, listening to
music, playing with cards and other activities that you together come up
with. Young children should not be home in the evenings without adult
supervision.
Safety Against Crimes:
- Leave a night light on at night
when no one is home in order to discourage burglars
- Lock your bike or moped to a bike
rack
- Avoid areas that seem dangerous
- Wait for a bus in a lighted area
or with other people
- Tell someone where you are and
when you will be back
- Ask a neighbor to pick up the mail
and newspaper when you are away from home for a few days
- Lock your door when you leave and
while your at home
- Keep your wallet in your front
pocket to avoid pick-pockets
- String your purse across your neck
in order to discourage pick pockets.
Talk To Your Children:
About dangers of “Gangs”, “Drugs”, “Alcohol” , “Guns” and help them
learn the importance of education, being well-behaved, having common
courtesy and saying “Please”, “Thank You”, “Excuse Me” and “I’m Sorry”.
Make sure they know how to dial 9-1-1 in case of emergencies and that
they know their address well enough to be able to tell the 9-1-1
operator.
Links:
Neighborhood Watch -
provides crime prevention materials.
Family Watchdog
- a registry of sex offenders. You can use this database to find out if
a convicted sex offender lives near your home.
Resources from the
San
Diego Police Department
Fact Sheets:
English
Somali
Vietnamese
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