What are your main 'staying safe' rules for children (not little children, say the 6 - 11 brigade)

[Twiglett]

What do you tell them if they get lost when out and about?

What are the rules for going out alone? How long for, do they check in?

What do you say about strangers?

What do you say about accidents?

My dds haven't reached that stage yet, but the other day someone posted a link to this site, which has very good advice on how children can protect themselves against abduction and abuse.

thanks

I do believe the abductor/abuser is overplayed, although obviously an important message

I think I'm looking for the more basic stuff too

very strict here on roads, till about 10 yrs- they could only cross particular roads alone, and then only after being observed to do it safely. That's my main concern. ' Strangers' I worry less about as I think they have the sense to know when something is wrong and wouldn't be easily flattered into a dangerous situation. Never, ever get in the car or go to the house of someone you don't know. If you have a problem, look for someone who is a parent or go to the house of someone you know. Mine were that age before mobile phones were common, I think that makes a difference.

actually .. reding that now it's more useful than I thought .. thanks

We've said to our boys (11 and 9) that there isn't any reason that a stranger should approach them and therefore to treat it as suspicious - so, to be on the safe side they're to leg it. I've told them both not to go anywhere where they can;t be seen or heard and to try and stay where there are other children playing.

There was a scare around here a couple of weeks ago where a car pulled over and a man got out and started following an 11 yr old boy, the police were involved and a warning was broadcast on our local radio station. So we're uber wary at the moment .

We've also explained to our boys that all us Mums are here to help each other, and if they are in trouble, they're to go to the nearest Mum's house.

Safety in numbers: go out in a group and stay in a group. No-one is allowed to leave / be left on their own.

'If an adult approaches a child for any reason outside of a regular course of events, this expert says, the child should run first and ask questions later' This is alarmist, (from the site linked to above) IMO. What is the regular course of events? I would not want my kids to feel afraid if an old lady admired their new bike, or if someone said, yes it's ok to pat the dog she's friendly. Also, I really disggree with the idea that kids should distrust an adult who asks them for help. Can't we ask kids for diections?

As an adult, I wouldn't ask a child for directions, for that exact reason, I wouldn't want to scare them.

I'm sorry, IMHO I would MUCH rather be safe than sorry, my children RUN if a lone adult approaches them.

Oh dear, that's sad.