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Dangers for children can lurk everywhere, including on the street. When your child is going somewhere such as school or the home of a friend, it is important for them to know how to protect themselves from any dangers they might encounter.

Whenever possible, children should never walk alone. They should always walk with a group of friends and stay close to one another. There should always be a destination and your child should know not to wander or simply stroll around. Shortcuts should be avoided, along with any buildings that are empty or abandoned.

Before your child leaves, make sure you know exactly where they are going and which route they are going to take to arrive there. In the event that something should happen, this will allow you to know exactly where to look for your child. Encourage your child to stick with that same route and not deviate from it.

In the event that your child feels threatened or even if they just feel that something is not right, they should trust their instincts. Encourage your child to run to a busy store or business if they find themselves in this type of situation. It is also a good idea to yell “Dad” or “Mom” as loudly as possible while running to a busier area.

When your child is walking somewhere, whether it is to school or a friend’s house, it is crucial for them to be distraction free so they are able to focus on where they are going and be cognizant of what is going on around them. Therefore, it is a good idea for kids to avoid wearing headphones, texting or talking on a cell or playing a hand held game.

If possible, do have your child carry a cell phone with them for emergencies but remind them that it is only for emergencies and discourage them from chatting on the phone while they should be paying attention to traffic and what is going on in their immediate area. If you are not able to provide your child with an emergency cell phone, give some spare change so they can use a pay phone if they need to do so. Finally, ask your child to call you when they have arrived safely and also to give you another call just before they leave to come home.

“Safety first, because when it comes to personal safety, you may not get a second chance.”

Tom Patire, America’s Leading Personal Safety Expert®, is one of the most-recognized authorities on child and personal safety in the world today. His child-safety program is taught in over 600 schools. He is the author of the top selling family safety book Tom Patire’s Personal Protection Handbook. For more information or to get a copy of his top selling book and DVD visit www.tompatireproducts.com or visit www.TomPatire.com.