Best ways to keep teens safe while out and about

ALL children can be vulnerable sometimes, and as a parent, it is only natural to worry about their safety. If you are worried, you can help to protect your young children and teens with these common-sense tips.

Protecting young children

Statistics show that crime against young children by strangers is rare. Even so, these seven tips can help protect your child:

●Tell your child to avoid talking to people they do not know when you are not around

●Make sure your child knows never to walk away with strangers

●Make sure your child understands that they should always tell you if a stranger approaches, and never to keep this secret

●If your child is travelling alone, tell them to sit near other families on the train or bus

●If your child has to use a lift — tell them only to use lifts with friends, and not to feel worried about getting out if they are uncomfortable about someone else being in there

●If your child gets lost, they should ask for help from a police officer, another grown-up with children or someone working at a nearby shop

●Have your children learn their address and telephone number by heart

Keeping teenagers safe

More crimes are committed against teenagers than any other age group, but here are some things they can do to keep safe on the streets:

●Stay alert, and keep personal stereos/MP3 players turned off, so they can hear what’s going on around them;

●Stick to busy, well-lit roads, and avoid short cuts through alleyways

●If you thinks someone is following you, cross the road or go to a place with lots of people around, like a bus stop or shop

●Carry a whistle or shrill alarm around your neck or on a key chain to warn off suspicious strangers

●When travelling by bus, try to use bus stops on busy roads

●If someone tries to take something from you, never fight them

●Keep mobile phones and other valuables out of sight, and turn off your mobile phone ringer to avoid attracting attention

●Do not carry weapons because they are more likely to be used against you, and it is illegal