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The Safety Zone

Parents and guardians - we need to keep our children safe! Grand Bahama's abductions have made us all painfully aware of our inability to avoid disaster. Let's start now to avoid any future horrific traumas suffered by our youth. They are our future so let us protect them.

We welcome your suggestions for information to include in this section of our web site and pass along to other parents and guardians. Drop us a line at info@thebahamian.com with your suggestions and contributions.

Here are some suggestions to keep your children out of harms way such as the tragedies which occurred in Grand Bahama between May and September 2003.

AVOID STRANGERS SAFETY RULES

1. Teach your children what a stranger is. Many children believe that a stranger is a spooky looking man in a dark coat. They need to understand that a stranger is ANYONE they don't know well. A stranger can be male, female or even a teenager. Just because they may recognize a person does not mean they are not a stranger.

2. If a stranger approaches your children teach them to RUN to a safe place such as neighbor, school principal, teacher, or police officer. Teach them to never speak with strangers or get into a car with them.

3. When possible drive your children to school or after school jobs and activities. You can even speak with neighbors in your area and set up car pools so that parents take turns driving the children to these various places. If this is not possible establish a buddy system. If children must walk to school it's much safer if they walk in groups and stick with the main roads, not track roads.

4. Make sure your children understand who is acceptable to pick them up from school, activities or after school jobs. Stress to them that if a person isn't on your list do NOT go with that person, no matter what that person offers them or tells them.

5. Pick up your children on time. This lessens their urge to find another way home that is unsafe. If you will be late picking up your child, contact the school, activity or after school job establishment. This way an adult can supervise your child until you get there.

6. Know where your children are and who they're with. Never accept your children saying that they're just going "out" for awhile. Establish where they will be, when they will be home and never let them go by themselves.

7. If a child will be late coming home for any reason make sure they call and let you know. Even if you do not have a telephone, establish a system where they can get a message to you through a neighbor or family member. This will save unnecessary worrying and confusion on your part.

8. If your child is spending the day at an activity or other person's house and a phone is readily available, have them check in with you periodically. This way if there is a problem you will be aware of it much sooner.

9. Teach children to be aware of their surroundings. Teach them to pay attention if someone is staring at them or following them. If they experience this or even have an uneasy feeling about a situation then they should go back to the RUN rule and report it immediately.

10. Have an open and honest communication system with your children. Talk to them, ask them about their day and be interested in what they have to stay. This way, if something is bothering them or somebody made them feel uneasy they will feel comfortable telling you right away.

Add your recommendations to this list now info@thebahamian.com