Safety Tips

Internet Safety

Internet Guidelines for Teenagers

• Never give out your personal information, your real name, address, or phone number, or any personal information about your family or friends without their permission.

• Be careful in chat rooms. Don't get involved in fights or use obscene language. You could be reported and have your internet service suspended or cancelled.

• If you are in a chat room and someone makes you feel uncomfortable, attempts to start a fight with you, or uses offensive language, leave the room.

• Ignore obscene or offensive messages. Replying may cause the sender to continue to send such messages.

• Be careful in joining mailing lists, some may make your personal information public. Don't provide an address or phone number. The information for which you are signing up is sent to the e-mail address you provide, so they don't need your address or phone number.

• Beware of offers for free items, get rich quick, or weight loss offers. They may be a scam.

• Beware of e-mail from people you don't know or e-mail you weren't expecting. It may contain a virus designed to damage your computer or send your account name and password back to the sender.

• Never send your picture to someone you don't know or trust. Remember, the internet allows people to become anyone they want to be, and they may be someone you don't really want to know.

When you ride your bike in traffic, you are a driver. Wear your "crash helmet." A bike helmet could save your life. Don't hit the road without a helmet.

Always follow the rules of the road.

• Ride Right- with the traffic, to the right side of your lane.

• Always look back, signal, check for traffic before you make any turn or leave your driveway. Otherwise, you may become extinct!

• Stop at all stop signs and lights, too. You are a driver now!

• Pedestrians get to go first.

• Yield the right of way, and keep a sharp lookout for danger in every direction at all times-just like car drivers do.

• Allow four feet between you and parked cars. A careless driver could be opening a door in your path!

• If you ride with your friends, don't hog the road.

• Two side by side is the limit.

• If the lane can be safely shared with a car, the law is "single file."

• Be courteous to faster traffic.

• Don't cause a traffic jam. Let them pass when it's safe, but hold your lane.

• Make sure your vehicle works the way it should. Check your brakes, tire pressure, and make sure the handlebars don't wobble-every time you ride.

• If you must ride when it's dark, be safe-BE SEEN. Illinois law requires your vehicle to have a white light in front and a reflector in back. Light colored clothing with reflective patches and reflective wheel strips also help you be seen.

Bus Safety

BE ALERT!

• Pay attention to who's around you and the surroundings.

• Shop with a companion whenever possible and use well-traveled streets.

• Avoid short-cuts.

• Don't load yourself down with too many packages when returning to your home after shopping.

• Avoid carrying large purses whenever possible.

• Make a pocket inside your coat for your coin purse.

• Only carry the cash you need and leave your valuables at home.

• Don't walk too close to the inside of the sidewalk, or too near bushes, driveways or alleyways.

• If an attempt is made to grab your purse, RELEASE IT. Don't risk the chance of being hurt.

• Beware of strangers who bump, shove, or get too close. Pickpockets often work in teams of two or three.

• Vary your schedule. Don't take a walk or do your shopping at the same time every day.

• Use the bus schedule to minimize the length of time waiting for the bus.

• If few people are on the bus, sit near the driver.

• When riding the bus, keep any packages and your purse in your lap.

• If you feel uneasy about getting off at your usual stop, stay on the bus until the next stop,

• If someone is bothering you on the bus, tell the driver.

Personal Safety

Three simple rules of safety

• Stay alert and tuned in to your surroundings, wherever you are. Don't be taken by surprise. Be aware and be prepared.
• Stand tall and walk confidently. Don't show fear. Don't look like a victim.
• Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in a place or situation, leave right away and get help if necessary.

On foot

• Choose busy streets and avoid going through vacant lots, alleys, or other deserted areas.
• At night, walk in well-lighted areas whenever possible.
• Try not to walk or jog alone. Take a friend or neighbor along for company.
• Get to know the neighborhoods and neighbors where you live and work.
• Find out what stores and restaurants are open late and where the police and fire stations are located.
• Carry your purse close to your body and keep a firm grip on it.
• Avoid pickpockets by carrying your wallet in an inside coat pocket or front-trouser pocket.

In your car

• Always lock your car and take the keys, even if you'll be gone only a short time.
• Keep your car in good running condition, and keep the tank at least a quarter full; lock doors while driving.
• If your car breaks down, raise the hood and place emergency reflectors or flares. Then stay in the locked car. When someone stops to help, don't get out. Ask him or her, through a closed or cracked window, to telephone the police to come and help.
• If you're coming or going after dark, park in a well-lighted area that will still be well-lighted when you return.
• Be especially alert when using enclosed parking garages.
• Don't walk into an area if you feel uncomfortable.
• Leave only your ignition key with a parking attendant. Don't leave your house key or other keys on the key ring.
• Never pick up hitchhikers. Never. And don't hitch rides yourself.

When using public transportation

• When using the bus, be sure to have your fare out and ready before you leave home, office, or store.
• Plan your route to use the busiest, best-lighted stop possible, both to get on and off a bus. If you must wait, stay in the best-lighted area available.
• Keep your purse, shopping bag, backpack, packages, etc., in your lap, on your arm, or between your feet -- not by themselves on an empty seat.
• Sit near the driver or operator, but not right next to the door.
• Don't let yourself doze off on a bus. It can make you an easy target.

When using an ATM machine

• Try to plan your visits to automatic teller machines during the day, rather than after dark.
• Choose an ATM location that is in a busy public place.
• Avoid making withdrawals in isolated areas.
• If at all possible, take along a friend who can watch the surroundings while you are conducting your transaction.
• Pre-plan your transaction carefully, and don't spend too much time at the machine.
• When you make a withdrawal, quickly place the money in your purse or wallet and leave as soon as you finish your transaction.
• Watch out for suspicious looking people waiting around an ATM-they may not really be customers.
• If someone offers to let you go ahead of them, decline politely and leave.
• When visiting a drive-through ATM, keep your doors locked and be prepared to drive away quickly. If anyone approaches your car on foot, roll up your window and drive off. If you have not finished your transaction, and you are approached by a suspicious character, press the CANCEL button, receive your card and leave quickly.

Keeping Kids Safe

A great thing about kids is their natural trust in people, especially in adults. It's sometimes hard for parents to teach children to balance this trust with caution. But kids today need to know common-sense rules that can help keep them safe and build the self confidence they need to handle emergencies.

Make sure your kids know:

• How to call 911 in emergencies, and how to use a public phone. Help them practice making emergency phone calls. Be sure emergency numbers -- police, fire, poison control, and emergency medical -- are by all phones.
• Their full name, address, and phone number (including the area code), plus your work phone number. If you have a cellular phone and/or beeper, teach your children these numbers as well.
• How to walk confidently and stay alert to what's going on around them.
• To walk and play with friends, not alone.
• To refuse rides or gifts from anyone, unless it's someone both you and your child know and trust.
• To tell a trusted adult immediately if anyone, no matter who, touches them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable.

Safety at Home

If you're locked out of your home, can you still get in? Maybe through an unlocked window in the back, or using an extra key hidden under a flowerpot or up on a ledge? Remember: if you can break in, so can a burglar! A small investment of time and money can make your home more secure and can reduce your chances of being a victim of burglary, assault, or vandalism. Get to know your neighbors. Watchful neighbors who look out for you, as well as themselves, are a front-line defense against crime.

Basic Rules

• Make sure that all doors to the outside are metal or solid 1 ¾" hardwood.
• Make sure all doors to the outside have good, sturdy locks -- deadbolt locks with a minimum of 1 ½" bolt.
• Use the locks you have. Always lock up your home when you go out, even if it's "only for a few minutes."
• Secure sliding glass doors with commercially available bars or locks, or put a wooden dowel or broomstick in the door track.
• Make sure your windows, especially at ground level, have good locks-and use them!
• Make sure all porches and other possible entrances are well lighted.
• Trim any bushes or trees that hide doors or windows.
• Keep ladders, tools, toys, and recreational equipment inside when you're not using them.
• Don't hide your house keys under the door mat or in a flower pot. It's much wiser to give an extra key to a trusted neighbor.
• Keep written records of all furniture, jewelry and electronic products. If possible, keep these records in a safe deposit box, fireproof safe or other secure place.
• Take pictures or a video, and keep purchase information and serial numbers if available. These help law enforcement agencies track recovered items.

For apartment dwellers

• Make sure that entrances, parking areas, hallways, stairways, laundry rooms, and other common areas are well lighted.
• Report burned out bulbs or other problems to the manager.
• Make sure fire stairs are locked from the stairwell side, with an emergency exit at ground level.
• Laundry rooms and storage areas should always be kept locked unless a resident is actually inside.

When you go away

• Ask a trusted neighbor to collect your mail and newspapers, and offer to return the favor.
• Leave word about when you're leaving, when you'll return, and how you can be reached in an emergency.
• Put automatic timers on at least two lights (and possibly a radio) to help your home look and sound lived in.

Reducing Violence

• Look for ways to settle arguments and disagreements without violence. Remember: if you resort to violence to settle disputes, a child may well follow your example.
• Be a good role model. Use good manners to help ease tensions that can lead to violence.
• Teach kids that showing respect for themselves and for the needs of others can prevent crime.
• Report crimes and suspicious activities to police; agree to testify when necessary.
• If you want to live in a safe community, stand up for what you believe in.

Don't support illegal activities, like buying stolen property or using illegal drugs. It's the wrong message to send to a child, and it involves you in criminal activity. It also encourages more crime that hurts you and your neighbors.