>> What parents and children need to know about safety

Thanks to the Polly Klaas Foundation for this information
© THE POLLY KLAAS FOUNDATION, 2001

You ask yourself, as a parent, whether you are doing all you
can to keep your children safe. Tougher laws may help, but
parents and children will always have to bear the greatest
responsibility for their own protection.

Simple rules like, “never talk to strangers” are inadequate and
can be misleading. Most cases of abuse or abduction involve
someone the child knows, a family member, a neighbor, or
someone who has befriended them. Scaring a child by talking
about the awful things that can happen is definitely the wrong
approach. Fear can be counter-productive, possibly even
harmful.

A good safety program will provide children with important
information and skills. It will foster self-confidence and teach
children to trust their own feelings and instincts.
Children need to know they are special
and deserve to feel safe.

PARENTS
• Set an example of good safety habits for your child. For
instance, when away, tell your children how long you will be
gone and where you can be reached.
• Allow your children to talk freely about themselves and their
feelings. Children who are listened to, and have their needs
met in the home, are less vulnerable to abuse or exploitation.
• Talk about sex and sexuality. A naive child is more vulnerable
to predators.
• Know your children’s friends and their parents. Keep lists of
their phone numbers and addresses.
• Know your neighbors. Teach your children where they can go
and which neighbors they can seek out if they feel threatened.
• If there is a “Block Parent” or similar program in your
community, your child should be able to recognize the placard
or sign that indicates a “safe” house.
• Know how your child's day care center, youth organization, or
school screens its personnel.
• Know the times and route(s) your child travels to and from
school or activities.
• Make sure your child does not wear articles of clothing with his
name visible on them. The knowledge of a child’s name can be
used to gain his confidence or put him off guard.
• Raise your child with a strong sense of self-respect and with
good self-esteem. Predators are looking for the lonely child
who is hungry for attention.

PRESCHOOLERS
A preschooler should always be under the supervision and
protection of a responsible adult.
The preschooler should know:
• Full name, address (including city and state), and phone number
(including area code.)
• How to make a phone call, including how to dial 911.
• What private parts are (places covered by a bathing suit). A
child needs to be able to tell the difference between an “Okay”
touch and a “Not Okay” touch.
• Low risk adults to approach when lost or afraid might be a
police officer in uniform, store cashiers, a pregnant woman or
a woman with children.
• Always ask a parent’s permission before accepting candy or
gifts, or going somewhere with anyone.
• Understand that it’s okay to tell a parent or a trusted adult if
anyone hurts them or tries to make them keep a secret.

SIX TO TEN YEARS OLD
As children get older they want more freedom and responsibility.
Grant privileges only when you are confident your child is ready.
Don’t let your child get into a situation he or she is not ready to
handle. Keep reviewing the rules. Use “What if?” scenarios to
check to see if your child knows what to do in risky situations.
The older child should know:
• Always use the BUDDY SYSTEM and never go places alone.
Predators usually focus on the “loners.”
• CHECK FIRST! Always let someone know where they are going.
• Never get into a car or go with a person unless a parent has
given permission. Keep a safe distance (10 ft.) from a car with
someone in it.
• It’s okay to be suspicious of adults who seem too friendly. The
safe thing to do is to say “NO!”, then Go and Tell someone.
• Tell a parent or a trusted adult if anyone offers gifts, money, or
a job; if someone wants to take their picture; if someone tries
to make them keep a secret.
• Predators use tricks to lure children. For instance, a child
should know that grown-ups do not need to ask children for
directions, or for help finding something like a puppy or kitten.
Know the family password. Don’t go with anyone that doesn’t
know the password.
• If home alone when answering the phone, never say that a
parent isn’t there. Don’t open the door if someone knocks or
rings the bell. Children should know who to call if they are
scared or need help.
• If threatened by someone, loudly yell “NO!” Screaming and
attracting lots of attention is one of the most effective things
a child can do in a frightening situation.
• If a child feels threatened or is being followed, the child
should run to a safe house, or a store, or somewhere where
there are a lot of people.
• Children should trust their instincts. If a situation doesn’t feel
right, yell, get away and seek help.
• A child shouldn’t keep secrets. When problems are too big to
handle, talk about them with a trusted adult. If that person
won’t listen, find one who will listen.

PRETEENS AND TEENS
As a child matures keep going over the rules. As they grow older,
they will want more freedom and privileges. This is natural,
however before granting increased freedom, a parent should be
comfortable with the child’s ability to follow the rules of safety as
well as to demonstrate the maturity to use good judgment.
Preteens and teens should know:
• Basic rules still apply, such as always using the buddy system
and always letting someone know where you are.
• Children are still vulnerable to predators and should recognize
the various lures or cons these people use to prey on them.
• Naivete about sex and sexuality makes a person more
vulnerable to sexual advances by predators.
• When out in public be aware of what is going on around them
in order to avoid dangerous situations.
• Drugs and alcohol can affect judgment and make a person
more vulnerable to being exploited.
• Things can be replaced, people cannot. If someone on the
street is threatening or demands money or property, the safe
thing to do is to give it to that person.

Polly Hannah Klaas was a vibrant, talented child, full of life
with the promise of a bright future. When she was
kidnapped at knifepoint from her bedroom slumber party on
October 1, 1993, the community of Petaluma, California
responded with a spontaneous and unprecedented effort to find
her. Thousands of volunteers from the San Francisco Bay Area
and across the nation joined in what became an international
search for the missing 12-year-old.

The Polly Klaas® Foundation was formed October 23, 1993, to
continue the search for Polly. Following the discovery of her
murder, the Foundation adopted a new mission:
Make America Safe For Children

The goals of the Foundation in support of our mission include:
• Education, technical assistance and support for individuals
and the public to prevent crimes against children
• Assistance in the recovery of missing children
• Support for legislative and regulatory protection for children
Our dedicated volunteers across the country are working
together to realize these goals.

Polly is truly “America’s child.” The Polly Klaas® Foundation is
committed to turning the tragedy of her death into a force of
positive change for the protection of our children. Children are
our future. They deserve our highest priority.
Get Involved In Your Community
• Be a part of a neighborhood watch program
• Know your neighborhood and your neighbors
• Participate in volunteer programs that support your local law
enforcement agencies
Write To Your Elected Representatives
• Let your elected representatives know how you feel
• Tell them what you believe must be changed
• Be sure they understand the priority you place on child safety

CHILD SAFETY
Important information you should know
P.O. Box 800
Petaluma, CA 94953
800-587-4357 • 707-769-1334
Fax 707-769-4019
www.pollyklaas.org
email: pklaasfdtn@aol.com
Make America Safe For Children
© THE POLLY KLAAS FOUNDATION, 2001