Bill Feithen-Chief Of Police
815-748-8400 (Non Emergency)
Emergency Dial 911                                    dekalb.police@cityofdekalb.com
KIDS KORNER
Babysitting Safety Tips.
Babysitting is one of the biggest responsibilities you will ever accept. Part of your responsibility is protecting yourself as well as the children you will be taking care of. The following are some tips for you when accept a babysitting job.
 
  • Tell your parents where you are babysitting. Leave them the name, address and telephone number of the people you are babysitting for, and what time you will be home.
  • Know your employer. Only accept jobs from people you know or for whom you have a reliable reference.
  • Ask the parents what time they will be expected home.
  • Ask the parents where the emergency exits, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are. Be sure and get a phone number of where you can reach the parents while they are away.
  • Do not open the door to a stranger.
  • Don’t let anyone know at the door or on the phone that you are there alone. If asked, tell them you are there visiting and the parents can’t come to the phone right now.
  • Do not go outside to investigate suspicious noises or activities. Turn on the lights and call the police. Be sure all doors and windows are locked.
  • If you plan to take the children to the park or anywhere else, make sure you have a house key and lock the doors and windows before leaving.
  • If you ever feel uneasy or suspicious about something you hear, don’t hesitate to call the police.
  • You should try to take a first aid class and/or take a babysitting class.

Babysitter Checklist (.pdf file)


Keep Your Child Safe On-Line
 How Do You Keep Your Child Safe Online?
There is a whole new world for kids - and for you as a parent. The online world offers children experiences that are both educational and rewarding; however, the Internet can also present unsafe situations. If your child is planning or currently using the Internet there are few safety tips you as a parent should take.

What Can Parents Do?
 Learn About The Internet. If you are just starting out, you might want to go research what is available in the "Internet" world at the library, schools, or even at a computer store.

Get Involved. Spend time online with your child. Your involvement in your child's life, including his or her use of the Internet, is the best insurance you can have of your child's safety.

Stay Informed. Keep yourself informed about the parental control tools that can help you keep your child safe on the Internet, as well as the increasing types of dangers and risks for children and young people.

Become An Advocate For Kids. If you see material or practices you do or do not like, contact your Internet Service Provider (the company that provides you with a connection to the Internet) or the company that created the material.

The Internet poses new challenges for parents because, unlike television, radio, and videos, the Internet:

  • Is interactive - your child can interact with anyone else online from your home or school.
  • It allows any user, anywhere, to post any information, including materials that are inaccurate, misleading and
    inappropriate for children.
  • It provides no restrictions on advertising to children.
  • It is not always anonymous - even when you might think it is.

E-Mail
 E-mail is the most popular application on the Internet. It allows your child to communicate with other people from anywhere in the world. E-mail can keep you in touch with teachers, family and friends; get help with homework; establish mentoring relationships; practice and improve writing skills, and make world-wide pen pals.

Here are a few steps to protect your child on the Internet.

  • Share your child's email account and password.
  • Talk with your child about the people he or she is meeting online.
  • Set a rule that your child never arranges an in-person meeting without you present.
  • Complain to the sender of unsolicited email and to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) about unwanted email.
  • Special parental control tools have been developed. These tools, although not perfect by any means, will allow you to:
  • Route your child's email first to your account.
  • Reject email from specific email addresses.
  • Limit email with offensive language and personal information from being sent and received

Safety Skills For Children
The DeKalb Police Department is always concerned for the welfare of our children. Here are a few safety tips you should teach
your child.

  • Make sure your child knows their full name, address and phone number.
  • Go over how to make emergency phone calls.
  • Work out an escape plan in case of a fire.
  • Show your child where they can go if an emergency occurs – such as a neighbor.
  • Explain to your child what a stranger is.
  • Teach your child about good touch/bad touch.
  • Tell your child if it feels weird it probably is. Remind them that they can talk to you about anything.
  • Tell your child to never walk alone and stay in well lit areas.
  • Tell your child never to accept a ride or gifts from a stranger.
  • Make sure your child is taking the safest route to and from school.
  • Post phone numbers near your telephone – work, police, fire, neighbor.
  • Have your child check in with you or designee when they arrive home from school.
  • Set up a code word in the event you have someone else picking up your child.
  • Tell your child to never open the door to a stranger when they are home alone. Caution them about answering the phone – what they should say, etc.
  • Don’t lose sight of your child in public places.
  • Remind your child that if they become lost to find a store clerk or police officer and wait with that person until you arrive.
  • If your child finds themselves in a dangerous situation tell them to yell for help ("This is not my mom or dad" and
    run to a store or house of someone they trust. Tell them to never run into a deserted area.

Together, let’s keep our kids safe!


School Safety Tips

 Riding the Bus
  • Have a safe place to wait for your bus, away from traffic and the street.
  • Stay away from the bus until it comes to a complete stop.
  • When being dropped off, exit the bus and walk ten giant steps away from the bus. Keep a safe distance between you and the bus. Also, remember that the bus driver can see you best when you are back away from the bus.
  • Use the handrail to enter and exit the bus.
  • Stay away from the bus until the driver gives his/her signal that it's okay to approach.
  • Be aware of the street traffic around you. Drivers are required to follow certain rules of the road concerning
    school buses, however, not all do. Protect yourself and watch out!
Walking and Biking to School
  • Mind all traffic signals and/or the crossing guard -- never cross the street against a light, even if you don't see any traffic coming.
  • Walk your bike through intersections.
  • Always use the Buddy System when walking or riding a bike to school to and from school.
  • Follow all bicycle rules.
  • If someone follows you, get away from them as quickly as you can. If they follow you in their car, turn around
    and go the other way. Be sure and tell your parents what had happened.
Riding in a Car
  • Safety belts are the best form of protection passengers have in the event of a crash.
  • Everyone needs to be buckled up properly. That means older kids in seat belts, younger kids in booster seats and little kids in child safety seats.
Bus Stops
  • Stay with a group while waiting at the bus stop. If someone bothers you, say NO, then GO, and TELL an adult such as a teacher or your parent.
  • If an adult approaches you for help or directions, remembers grown-ups should not be asking children for help!
  • If someone offers you a ride, say NO! Never accept a ride unless your parents have told it is okay.
At School
  • Never leave school with someone you don't know. If someone tells you there has been an emergency, check first
    with a trusted adult, parent or teacher before you leave with this person.
  • If you want to change your plans after school, check first with your parents. Make sure you have your parent's permission before going anywhere.
  • Keep your locker locked.
  • Know where your belongings are and never leave them unattended. Always label your items – bookbag,
    tennis shoes, gym clothes, etc.
  • Never carry a large amount of cash with you.

Talking To Your Kids About Drugs And Alcohol
 The issue of drugs and alcohol can be confusing to young children. Parents should talk to their children and drugs and alcohol, and it's not too soon to begin. National studies show that the average age when a child first tries marijuana is 12 and alcohol at the age of 11. School programs alone are not enough. Parents must become involved in helping their children learn the consequences of drugs. Communication is one of the most effective tools you can use in helping your child avoid drug use. Listen carefully. Kids who feel comfortable talking to their parents are more likely to stay drug-free.

What do you say?

  • Tell them that you love them and you want them to be healthy and happy.
  • Say you do not find alcohol and other illegal drugs acceptable. Many parents never state this simple principle.
  • Explain how this use hurts people. Physical harm - for example, AIDS, slowed growth, impaired coordination, accidents. Emotional harm - sense of not belonging, isolation, paranoia. Educational harm - difficulties remembering and paying attention.
  • Discuss the legal issues. A conviction for a drug offense can lead to time in prison or cost someone a job, driver's license, or college loan.
  • Talk about positive, drug-free alternatives, and how you can explore them together. Some ideas include sports, reading, movies, bike rides, hikes, camping, cooking, games, and concerts. Involve your kids' friends.

How do you say it?
  • Calmly and openly - don't exaggerate. The facts speak for themselves.
  • Face to face - exchange information and try to understand each other's point of view. Be an active listener and let your child talk about fears and concerns. Don't interrupt and don't preach.
  • Through "teachable moments" - in contrast to a formal lecture, use a variety of situations - television news, TV dramas, books, newspaper.
  • Establish an ongoing conversation rather than giving a one-time speech.
  • Remember that you set the example. Avoid contradictions between your words and your actions. And don't use illegal drugs, period!
  • Be creative! You and your child might act out various situations in which one person tries to pressure another to take a drug. Figure out two or three ways to handle each situation and talk about which works best.
  • Exchange ideas with other parents.

How can I tell if a child is using drugs?
Identifying illegal drug use may help prevent further abuse. Possible signs include:
  • Change in moods - more irritable, secretive, withdrawn, overly sensitive, inappropriately angry, euphoric.
  • Less responsible - late coming home, late for school or class, dishonest.
  • Changing friends or changing lifestyles - new interests, unexplained cash.
  • Physical deterioration - difficulty in concentration, loss of coordination, loss of weight, unhealthy appearance.

Why do kids use drugs?
Young people say they turn to alcohol and other drugs for one or more of the following reasons:
  • To do what their friends are doing.
  • To escape pain in their lives.
  • To fit in.
  • Boredom.
  • For fun.
  • Curiosity.
  • To take risks.

Take A Stand!
  • Educate yourself about the facts surrounding alcohol and other drug use. You will lose credibility with your child if your information is not correct.
  • Establish clear family rules against drug use and enforce them consistently.
  • Develop your parenting skills through seminars, networking with other parents, reading, counseling, and support groups.
  • Work with other parents to set community standards - you don't raise a child alone.
  • Volunteer at schools, youth centers, Boys & Girls Clubs, or other activities in your community.

For More Information
  • State and local government drug use prevention, intervention, and treatment agencies.
  • State and local law enforcement agencies.
  • Private drug use treatment service listed in the telephone book Yellow Pages.
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI)
http://www.health.org
P.O. Box 2345
Rockville, MD 20847-2345
800-729-6686
301-468-2600
Fax: 301-468-6433