Protect Yourself & Your Property - Personal Safety

It's important to teach young children how to protect themselves when out and about. Statistically, the risks to children from a stranger deliberately harming them are very low. However, it's still a good idea to teach children some family safety rules.

Tell your child not to talk to anyone they don't know well when they're out. They should never go anywhere, with anyone, without first telling you or the grown-up who is in charge of them. They should tell you if someone approaches them. Young children need to be reassured that nothing bad will happen if they tell you about anyone who does approach them.

Teach your children what to do if they ever get lost. Tell them to find a police officer, someone working in a shop, or someone who has young children with them. Tell them not to wander too far from where they last saw you.

Keep your child close to you. If you have a baby in a pram or buggy, don't leave it parked while you shop. Watching through a window is not good enough.

If a shop won't let you take a pram in, either go to a different shop or take the child out of the pram.

Don't leave your baby in the charge of another child. He or she needs an adult to look after them.

Don't leave small children in unsupervised play areas in shops, restaurants and shopping centres. You, or a trusted minder, need to stay with them all the time.

Don't ask strangers to "keep an eye" on children - even while you are in a queue at a café or go to the toilet.

With all children, teach them their address and telephone number, so that they can be brought back to you more easily if they get lost.

It can be difficult to find a good babysitter. Parents must carefully consider any person left in charge of their children as child molesters.

If your teenage son or daughter is going out for the evening, check their transport arrangements. If necessary, take them and bring them back. It may be inconvenient, but it will be worth it for your peace of mind and safety.

If you are doing a part-time job or are out in the evening, try to follow these basic safety tips:

• Be sure your parents know where you are, and how to contact you.
• Go out accompanied by friends, and return home with them. If you do go out alone, arrange transport for your return journey before you leave. Get a lift or taxi there and back (see Transport Safe).
• If you are out and your lift or taxi doesn't turn up, ask to use a telephone to find out why not. Ask to stay until your lift turns up. When telephoning, ask for the taxi driver's name, and check this with the driver when he or she arrives.
• Don't take a lift with someone you have just met.
• If you are looking for casual jobs, like babysitting, do it through a family or friend. Be careful about answering advertisements.
• If you answer an advert, go with a parent or friend on the first day.
• If you are babysitting, get a number where you can contact the child's parents. If anyone comes to the house, don't let them in. Don't tell telephone callers you are alone, and keep a list of emergency numbers in case of problems.
• On a paper round, never go into a stranger's house or take a lift.

Although it may appear that senior citizens are particularly at risk from crime, statistically this isn't the case.

However, by taking a few simple steps a lot can be done to make the home feel a safer place. For just a small outlay you could fit good quality locks to doors and windows, install a door viewer and put a chain on the front door and buy peace of mind.

Never keep a large amount of money in the house. Cash is safer in the bank, post office or building society than stuffed under a mattress. And don't keep your cheque book and cheque card together.

Keep an eye out for neighbours and they will keep an eye out for you. If you see anything that worries you, tell the local police. Join the local Neighbourhood Watch scheme or talk to your local crime prevention officer about setting one up.

Don't let strangers in to your home. They may say they are from the gas, water or electricity company, but always ask to see some identification. If you are in any doubt, do not let them into your home.

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Of course, many of these are just signs of normal growing pains - particularly higher up on the list. So don't just jump to conclusions.

What if drugs are taken?

Don't over-react and take it out on your son or daughter before you know all the facts - or you could make a small problem bigger. First of all, take time to talk to your husband or wife, or perhaps your family doctor, other parents or teachers.

Try to find out if your youngster has any other worries or problems. Above all, show them that you care and will support and help all you can - even if they are in trouble with the law.

What are the dangers?

Having an accident while intoxicated, accidental overdoes leading to unconsciousness or even death, dependence or addiction, particularly if drugs are used regularly.

In addition, all drugs can have nasty side effects, for example:

• Confusion and frightening hallucinations;
• Unbalanced emotions or more serious mental disorders;
• First time heroin users may be sick. Regular users can miss their periods. More serious mental and physical deterioration may follow;
• Injecting can cause infection leading to sores, abscesses, jaundice and blood poisoning.

In an emergency

If someone has overdosed and you find them drowsy or unconscious, here's what to do:

• Make sure they get fresh air;
• Turn them on their side and try not to leave them unattended in case they inhale their own vomit;
• Ring for a doctor straight away, or dial 999 and ask for an ambulance;
• Collect any powders, tablets, or anything you think may have been used to take the drug. Take them to the hospital with you for the doctor to examine.