Imagine if a baby were able to walk around alone. The baby couldn't understand a "Don't Walk" sign, wouldn't know where to go for help, and couldn't find the way back home. What's more, the baby might not know good people from bad people. The baby would be in danger.
Thank goodness you're not a baby anymore! You know your way around and you know the rules of the road. The most complicated thing to learn is how to deal with strangers. But if you follow a few rules all the time and trust your instincts, you can be really street smart.
Who Are Strangers?
When you're walking home from school, a person in a car pulls up and asks you for directions. At the park, someone says he needs you to help look for his lost puppy. These people may seem friendly, but no matter what they say to you, they have one thing in common: They're strangers.
Most strangers aren't dangerous and wouldn't do anything to hurt kids. Unfortunately, though, some strangers can be dangerous, and it's impossible to tell who's OK and who's not. A dangerous person doesn't necessarily look scary or mean — the person might look nice.
That's why it's important to follow these safety rules all the time:
Make Your Whereabouts Known
The adult who's taking care of you needs to know where you are at all times. That means telling your mom or dad, grandmother, babysitter, or whoever is keeping an eye on you where you are and when you'll be coming home.
Stick With a Friend
It's more fun and safer to do things with friends. Take along a buddy when you walk to school, bike around the park, or go to the store. Traveling with a friend whenever you can is a good idea, and traveling with a bunch of kids is even better.
Pick Out Safe Spots
What are safe spots? Safe spots are places where you can stop if you need help, like the houses of kids you know, your parents' friends' houses, stores, restaurants, police stations, libraries, and fire departments. When you're walking or riding your bike, make a mental note of the safe spots along your route. That way, you'll know where they are in case you ever need one.
Avoid Places That Aren't Safe
Be sure to keep away from isolated areas. These are places where no one is around, like the woods or small, dark streets.