Child Safety
Brought to you by: Bisnar & Chase, LLP

• Teach your children to say that you are busy and to take a message. This way you are not teaching your child to lie. Don't have them say that you are in the shower - this is a common excuse and could put your children in danger

• Teach your children to not answer the door for ANYONE. This includes Police. The differences between a real police uniform and a costume are unnoticed by a child. An actual Police officer will understand why a child is not answering the door
• As parents, you should not schedule deliveries, maintenance or installations when the children are alone.

• Your child should know not to let anyone into the home without your permission, or that of a responsible adult, such as a babysitter. Teach them that if a person insists that they must come in, to immediately phone 911, you or a trusted neighbor.

• Teach your child to ask for your permission before going in to someone's house.

• The child should know to move away from any car that pulls up beside them if they don't know the driver. If they are forced towards a building or car, they should know to run and scream as loud as they can, "This is not my Mom/Dad!" scattering books and other personal belongings.

• Using the "Buddy System" will prevent some violent crimes, since most violent crimes are directed toward a lone individual.

• If a person tries to get the child to do something that you have taught them is wrong, it is OK to say no to that person.

• Children should understand that any part of their bodies that would be covered by a bathing suit is "private".

Older Children and teens should:

• Teach teens to leave written messages or phone messages describing where they will be or where they are going.

• Walk near the curb on lit streets and against the flow of traffic. Use well-known routes.

• Teach the children how to remember a description and what to look for. Remember and write the license plate number anywhere they can (dirt or snow), if nothing else is available.

• All personal belongings are not worth the risk of being injured or killed.

Parents Should

• Making sure that the child understands that this is for emergencies only

• This includes:
  Full Name - First, middle and Last
  Address - Including zip code
  Telephone number - Including the area code

• If the parents are unable to pick the child up the child should only go with a person who knows this secret word. Children have been tricked into telling the code word some remind them not to tell anyone

• A child is more likely to trust someone that knows there name

• Such as Halloween and fund raising campaigns

• Show the child trusted neighbors houses or other places they can go if they are in trouble

• Let them know that you are sensitive to their fears and concerns about anything

• Police can be relied on if they are in trouble or need help

This includes recent:
Color photograph
Black and white photograph (photocopies better than color)
Medical record
Dental history
And have your child fingerprinted

Babysitters

• Family name
• Children's full names
• House address and nearest cross-street
• How to contact the parents (cell phone, restaurant name and phone number, etc…)
• Names & numbers of closest family relatives and trusted neighbors (and who to contact first in case of a non-medical "emergency")
• Doctors name and phone number along with a medical release
• Phone number of the poison control in your area

• How much
• What time

• Look for hazards such as:
  Plastic bags
  Matches and lighters
  Electrical cords
  Medications
  Cleaning Supplies

• During the walk-through point out any unlocked doors or windows leading to the pool

• Point out any planned evacuation routes (windows, etc…), and the designated meeting spots

• If it is evening to turn the porch light on
• If children are asleep to check them every 15 minutes
• If the children are awake and inside know their location and don't leave them too long
• If the babysitter must leave, notify the parents and take the children with them
• To not open the door to anyone
• If someone is trying to get in or prowling call 911
• In case of fire:
  • Call 911 from inside the house whenever possible
  • Get everyone out of the house
  • Call 911 from a neighbor's if needed
  • Wait at the designated meeting area

Emergency List

Internet Safety

For Everyone

• The decision to reveal any information about yourself, such as using your name as an email address, should be carefully considered.
• Sometimes when signing up for software, or services, you are asked to fill out a form detailing all your personal information (Full Name, Address, Phone Number, etc…). Fill out only the required fields. Sometimes companies ask for this information, but it is not required.
  
• If you must fill out personal fields on these forms, credit card numbers, etc… make sure you have a secure connection. In Internet Explorer, this can be easily determined by looking for the "lock" in the Status Bar of browser window. If you cant see the Status bar click View… and then click Status Bar.
• If you do reveal information such as your address, or credit card number (over a secure page) make sure to clear your browsers Temporary Internet Files after your finished.
• In Internet Explorer:
  Go to Tools… Internet Options… click the 'General' tab across the top and click Delete Files. Click OK in the dialog box, then click OK in the Internet Options window.

• The Security level of your browser may allow web pages to steal information about you. Changing the security level of your browser is easy to do. In Internet Explorer go to Tools… Internet Options… and click the security tab across the top. To open the security options with Netscape click the padlock icon, and then select Navigator.

• If your computer doesn't have this software you are at risk of attacked by any one of thousands of computer viruses. My suggestion is to purchase a well-known Anti-Virus package (McAfee or Norton) it is relatively inexpensive, and very easy to use.
• Every week there are dozens of new viruses, so you must keep the software up to date. Run the update function of the software at least once a week.

• Like your Social Security Number, a computer's IP address tells others where and how to find the computer online. If hackers manager to get your IP address, they can assault your PC with viruses or even hack directly into it to steal your personal data. To protect yourself you should install a firewall on your computer.
• A firewall is a program that blocks unauthorized access to a network. Some commercial Anti-virus programs (Norton or McAfee) contain a firewall program.
• Some Free Firewalls
• ZoneAlarm
• Agnitum Outpost

• Microsoft will periodically release updates to their operating system fixing performance and security issues. If these updates pop-up on your screen you should run them. If they don't pop-up, you should run Windows Update, usually found under the Start menu, at least once a week.

For Parents

• Make sure children know not to give out any personal information over the Internet.
• Never personally meet someone they have met over the Internet
• To never reveal email passwords to friends or people they meet over the Internet.

• Learn with your children using the Internet as a tool to foster discussion.

• With the computer a busy room, such as the living room, it is easier to monitor activities.

• Kids want their own email address. By assigning an address you are able to choose the user name ensuring it is appropriate. You also know the password and have access to the account to monitor activities.

• Filtering programs will allow you to block undesired pages from being accessed from your computer
• Some Filtering Programs:
• We- Blocker
• Cybersitter
• Control Kids