"Stranger Danger" Rules
It is critical that children understand the importance of avoiding contact, however innocent it may appear, with individuals unknown to them or the trusted adults in their lives. Above all, ensure that your children know that they can come to you, the parents and trusted adults in their lives, with any bit of information, question, or concern, and you will listen to them. Teach your children that it is not okay to keep secrets from you, especially secrets that are about inappropriate actions/behaviors--make certain that your children know that you will love them and keep them safe, that they can trust you. The following are tips to teach your kids safe--reinforce these often:
Keep your child safe online and in social media by ensuring that the photos they post and share are not geotagged. A geotagged photo is one that is digitally identified and will indicate where and when a photo was taken by a digital camera, like the ones on tablets and smartphones. A data file known as an EXIF (Exchangeable Image File) gets stored along with every image you capture from your digital cameras. The EXIF data file contains all information about your camera setting--including the exact latitude and longitude of where photos were taken. A simple "right click" on a photo provides the means to find this information via its properties. For information about turning off your digital camera's geotag, go to emoderation.com and read their web article "How to remove geotagging from your photos" (here's the link: http://www.emoderation.com/how-to-remove-geotagging-from-your-photos/).
What To Do If You Believe A Registered Sex Offender May Come Into Contact With A Child
If you believe an offender is coming into contact with children do not confront the individual. Contact the King County
Sherriff's Office with your suspicions by calling 206.263.2120 or e-mailing rsoinquiries@kingcounty.gov. If a picture is available of an offender living near your home, show it to your family. Tell your children that this person has hurt someone before and warn them to stay away from this individual, while avoiding scary details. Tell them to NEVER accept a ride from this person; DO NOT go into their yard or home; and TELL your parents if this person offers you toys, money or gifts.
The King County Sheriff's office warns that children are particularly vulnerable to offenders. However, children are most often molested by someone they or their parents know. Open communication is essential to protecting your child. They should feel comfortable discussing sensitive matters with you. Teach your children that they should not be asked to touch or be touched by anyone in the areas of the body that are covered by a bathing suit. They should also be taught to tell you immediately if inappropriate touching is attempted or has occurred .
- Do not talk to strangers, especially if the stranger approaches you
- Never tell a stranger your name, your address, your telephone number(s), your e-mail address, etc.
- Do not accept candy, gifts, money, a ride, or anything else from a stranger
- Never get in a car with a stranger
- Never give directions to a stranger, especially a stranger in a car; adults should ask other adults for help
- Never let a stranger get too close to you
- Do not let a stranger talk you into looking at or looking for a lost puppy or kitten
- Never walk with a stranger, no matter what the stranger tells you
- Never go to unknown or isolated places with a stranger
- Avoid clothing and possessions which openly display your child's name--a stranger may use this to feign familiarity
- Teach your child that her/his body is her/his alone
- Teach your child to inform you immediately if someone attempts to touch her/his body
- Teach your child to bite, kick, pull away, punch, resist, scratch, scream and yell to get away from a stranger
- Teach children to yell "This is not my mother/father! This person is trying to take me!" if someone attempts to grab them
- Be aware of your surroundings; stay alert at all times
- Have your child memorize her/his full name, phone number (with area code), and street address
- Have your child memorize her/his parents' complete names and telephone numbers
- Get to know your child's friends, their parents, and their full names, addresses, and phone numbers in case of emergency
- Establish curfews and make sure your children know that if they will be late, they must notify you immediately
- Trust your instincts--avoid/get away from anyone who makes you uncomfortable
- Always stick to the same safe route to and from school--make sure your family knows this route
- Use a secret word known by your child and her/his parents/trusted adults, in case child must be picked up from school
- Make sure your child knows that s/he cannot leave school with an adult unless the adult tells the child the secret word
- Always walk in well-lit areas; avoid shortcuts
- Know the nearest police and fire stations in your neighborhood--teach kids that these are safe places for them
- If you feel someone is following you, run to a store or business, tell the adults there what happened, and call 9-1-1
- Teach children that 9-1-1 calls are free--don't require money--when using a pay phone
- Always ask parents/trusted adults permission before going somewhere--make sure they know your plans
- Never go off on your own--always alert a parent/trusted adult of your whereabouts
- Never open the door to a stranger, especially if you are alone at home
- Never let a stranger inside your home unless a parent or trusted adult is present
- Keep doors and windows locked when kids are home alone; activate alarm system, if available
- Teach your child it is okay to not answer the phone when a parent is not home
- Make a telephoning code (ex.:phone rings once, hangs up, phone rings twice, child picks up) to check on a kid home alone
- Teach children to never reveal any information to a stranger over the telephone
- Teach children to never post online (and/or through social media) their birthdates, home addresses, and where they attend school
- Teach children to never tell anyone--over the phone or through a door--that they are home alone
- If a stranger asks to speak with/see an adult, the reply must be "Sorry, s/he can't come right now; please leave a message"
- A group of other kids--better to be in a group than alone
- Adults with children
- Police officers in uniform
- Firefighters in uniform
- Bus drivers/light rail personnel in uniform
- Grocery store workers in a store; bank employees in a bank
Keep your child safe online and in social media by ensuring that the photos they post and share are not geotagged. A geotagged photo is one that is digitally identified and will indicate where and when a photo was taken by a digital camera, like the ones on tablets and smartphones. A data file known as an EXIF (Exchangeable Image File) gets stored along with every image you capture from your digital cameras. The EXIF data file contains all information about your camera setting--including the exact latitude and longitude of where photos were taken. A simple "right click" on a photo provides the means to find this information via its properties. For information about turning off your digital camera's geotag, go to emoderation.com and read their web article "How to remove geotagging from your photos" (here's the link: http://www.emoderation.com/how-to-remove-geotagging-from-your-photos/).
What To Do If You Believe A Registered Sex Offender May Come Into Contact With A Child
If you believe an offender is coming into contact with children do not confront the individual. Contact the King County
Sherriff's Office with your suspicions by calling 206.263.2120 or e-mailing rsoinquiries@kingcounty.gov. If a picture is available of an offender living near your home, show it to your family. Tell your children that this person has hurt someone before and warn them to stay away from this individual, while avoiding scary details. Tell them to NEVER accept a ride from this person; DO NOT go into their yard or home; and TELL your parents if this person offers you toys, money or gifts.
The King County Sheriff's office warns that children are particularly vulnerable to offenders. However, children are most often molested by someone they or their parents know. Open communication is essential to protecting your child. They should feel comfortable discussing sensitive matters with you. Teach your children that they should not be asked to touch or be touched by anyone in the areas of the body that are covered by a bathing suit. They should also be taught to tell you immediately if inappropriate touching is attempted or has occurred .