Top 10 Simple Tips to Help Keep Children Safe When They Go Back-To-School

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RUN * YELL * TELL, Ltd.

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NEW YORK, Aug. 26 -- Diana Jones, founder of the child safety stranger-danger program, RUN * YELL * TELL, Ltd., has 10 tips for parents gearing up to send their children back-to-school. According to Jones,"Children must be prepared, as early as age four, with pro-active rules that will help keep them safe. If parents communicate this in a casual manner, the process doesn't have to be scary."

Children should:

1) Walk to and from school in groups.

2) Never accept a ride without first getting permission from parents.

3) Never take shortcuts. Always stick to routes selected by parents, and stay on main roads.

4) Leave home with money for telephone calls, or a calling card. Remind them that 911 is a FREE call, even from a pay phone.

5) Never advertise if they are "latch key kids," and wear their house key on a string underneath clothing.

6) Have "home alone" plans for emergencies, and for phone and door answering.

7) Have landmarks on school routes, like "on my way home, if I am past the church on Front Street and there's a problem, I'm closer to home and should go there. If I haven't reached the church, I'm closer to school and should go back."

8) Be aware of "safe havens" along walking routes (police stations, fire stations, retail shops), which represent the "right" strangers from which to seek help in immediate danger.

9) Report ALL suspicious behavior and "new adult friends" to parents.

10) Never leave school with anyone without checking with school officials.

Even if children are told it is "an emergency," they should know that all emergencies go through school officials.

Jones' RUN * YELL * TELL Ltd., endorsed by The Westchester County Police Department, conducts workshops which teach avoidance of potential abduction and abuse situations. Workshops do not preach fear, fighting or escape, butrather the education and confidence children need to avoid threatening encounters. Children are encouraged to communicate concerns to trusted adults, and are taught how to keep themselves free of harm with a quick rule:run, yell, tell.

For more rules like these, and further information on the program, the public can reach the headquarters in Westchester County, New York:888-KIDS-RYT.

CONTACT: Rodi Rosensweig of The Rodi Company, 212-369-4198