As part of our ongoing effort to prevent crime in the community, members of the San Carlos Police Department have developed a series of educational presentations. These presentations are made to service clubs, schools and community groups in San Carlos. To expand the usefulness of this material, we are now bringing this material to the Internet. We hope you find helpful and of interest.
-- Greg Rothaus, Police Chief, City of San Carlos

Teach Your Children

1. To memorize their full name, address and phone number, including area code, state and zip code.
2. How to use the telephone, how to make calls to the operator and how to dial emergency numbers.
3. To yell "help me" and run away if a stranger touches or grabs them, then tell a parent or trusted adult.
4. That a stranger is someone they and you do not know well.
5. Never to enter a strangers car or home.
6. To keep the doors locked and only admit authorized people to their home.
7. How to use a code word.
(A code word is a special word that only you and your child know. It is used if you need to have another person pick up your child so that your child can verify that the person is safe).
8. They are safer playing and walking with friends.
9. To avoid alleys, poorly lit and lonely or deserted areas.
10. Never to wander away from you or your yard unless they tell you and receive permission.
11. To tell you if something strange or uncomfortable has happened to them.
12. Never to give information about themselves (including home phone) to anyone except authorized persons.

Children and the 911 Emergency System

Teach your children what the 911 emergency system is and how they should use it in an emergency. Points to review with children are:

1. Tell the operator what the emergency is.
2. Give your full address, phone number and name.
3. Emergency medical, fire or police personnel are being sent to you even though you are still talking to the operator.
4. Stay on the line with the 911 operator until they tell you to hang up.
5. The 911 service is for emergencies. It is important to teach your child not to play with or misuse 911.

Things You Can Do

1. Never leave your child unattended, especially in cars.
2. Establish procedures for school pick up or what to do in case you are unable to pick them up.
3. Take frequent photos of your child (four times a year) and keep them in a safe place.
4. Fingerprint your child.
(San Carlos residents can have their children fingerprinted at the D.A.R.E. booth during Hometown Days or groups may make special arrangements by contacting the San Carlos Police
Department at 650-802-4277. Other persons can contact their local law enforcement agency).
5. Listen to your child and immediately report anything suspicious to the police.

Presentations at the San Carlos Schools

The San Carlos Police Department and the San Carlos School District have teamed up to provide Child Safety tips through presentation of the video "Being Safe" at the elementary schools. Parents of K-3 children view the video with their children and learn more safety tips from a member of the Police Department. For more information, please contact the San Carlos Police Department at (650) 802-4277.

Acknowledgement

The above tips were gathered in part from publications made available through the Office of Criminal Justice Planning, State of California. We appreciate their help in this project and their permission to make this information in several formats for members of the public.