Teach your children about personal safety at a young age so they can better protect themselves.
Map out a route to and from school and walk it with your children. Make sure they follow this same route every day unless they have your permission to go another way.
Find out if your school has an attendance call-back program to let you know if your child does not arrive at school.
Your child should carry some form of identification, for example, a laminated ID card with his or her name, complete address, telephone number and an emergency contact person and their phone number.
Keep up to date records on your child, including a recent photo, a lock of hair wrapped in plastic, age, blood type, height and weight, date and location of last dental x-rays, distinguishing marks, eye color and any other identifying characteristics.
Home Alone?
In the event that you need to leave an older child at home alone, be sure that he or she understands the following safety rules:
How to call you at work, or a neighbor, if you can't be reached.
How to call 911 in the event of an emergency
How to get out of the house in case of fire.
Never let anyone in the house, even someone who claims to be a policeman
Never tell a caller they're home alone; tell them that their parent can't come to the phone right now
