Tips for Kids:

* If you are in a public place and get separated from your parents, don't walk around looking for them. Quickly go to the checkout counter, security office or the lost and found to tell them you need help finding your parents
* You should not get into a car or go anywhere with any person unless your parents have told you it is okay
* If someone follows you on foot or in a car, stay away -- don't go near to talk to them
* Grownups and other older people who need help should not be asking a child for help; they should be asking older people
* No one should be asking you for directions, or to look for a 'lost puppy', or telling you that your mother or father is in trouble and that he or she will take you to them
* If someone tries to take you somewhere, quickly get away from him or her and yell or scream, 'This person is trying to take me away' or 'This person is not my father or mother'
* You should try to use the 'buddy system' and never go places alone
* Always ask your parents' permission to leave the yard or play area or to go into someone's home
* Never hitchhike or try to get a ride home with anyone unless your parents have told you it is okay to ride with them
* No one should ask you to keep a special secret. If someone does, tell your parents
* You should say NO to anyone who tries to take you somewhere, touches you, or makes you feel uncomfortable in any way. You should tell your parents or an adult you trust.



Tips For Parents:

* Know where your children are at all times and be familiar with their friends
* Be sensitive to changes in your children's behavior. Changes can be a signal that you should sit down and talk to your children about what caused the changes
* Be alert to a teenager or adult who is paying an unusual amount of attention to your children or giving them expensive gifts
* Teach your children to trust their own feelings, and assure them that they have the right to say NO to what they sense is wrong
* Listen carefully to your children's fears, and be supportive in all your discussions
* Teach your children that no one should approach them or touch them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable, and if someone does, you want them to tell you
* Be careful about baby-sitters and others who take care of your children
* Teach your children their full name, address, area code and phone number and also the name and phone number of a relative
* Teach your children how to use the telephone, let them make long distance phone calls and show them how to dial 911 or '0'' to ask for help
* Teach your children not to play in isolated areas, to use the 'buddy system', and to yell 'HELP' instead of simply screaming



TALKING ABOUT DRUGS

Tell your children that you love them and you want them to be happy and healthy. Say that you do not find alcohol and other illegal drug use acceptable. Many parents fail to state this simple fact. Explain that drug use hurts people. It can cause AIDS, impaired coordination, slowed growth, and emotional harm such as feelings of isolation or paranoia. It is also important to discuss the legal issues associated with drug and alcohol use because a conviction for a drug offense can lead to prison, loss of a job or college loan. Talk about positive, drug-free alternatives and explore them together. Some possibilities may include sports, reading, movies, bike rides, hikes, camping and games.

Approach your children calmly and openly and do not exaggerate. Talk face to face. Try to understand each other's point of view. Be an active listener and let your child talk about fears and concerns while not interrupting or preaching. Establish an ongoing conversation rather than giving a one-time speech. It is also important that you set an example and avoid contradictions between your words and actions. To help your child deal with peer pressure, act out various situations in which one tries to convince the other to take drugs and come up with at least two ways to handle each situation.

As parents, be alert to changes in your child's mood. Drug use may cause your child to become more irritable, secretive, withdrawn, overly sensitive, or inappropriately angry. In addition, your child may become less responsible by not going to school or coming home late. Watch for changes in friends or lifestyles. Physically, drugs may cause your child to concentrate less, lose coordination, and create an unhealthy appearance.

Robbery:

* Be alert to your customers and surroundings, greet as many of them as possible
* A robber will be less likely to strike if the person thinks you would be able to provide a good physical description of him or her
* Beware of those who appear to be 'casing' the store out, they will pay more attention to the location of the register, alarms, doors, and exits and may use 'shifty and darty eye movements'
* Be totally unpredictable about moving money from the business to the bank, constantly change your time and routes
* Never let large amounts of money accumulate in the register
* Keep doors that lead to unauthorized areas locked
* Frequently check your alarm system
* Use 'Bait Money' or have the serial numbers of some bills recorded for evidence
* Never reopen your business for anyone after you closed
* Avoid wearing expensive jewelry and other items of great value


During a robbery:

* Remain calm
* Obey commands
* Try to secretly set the alarm off
* Tell the robber something that might surprise him such as someone in the backroom or someone arriving soon
* Try to get a good idea of his physcial appearance
* Note his/her 'method of operation' (techniques, procedures the robber used to carry out the crime) for the police


Shoplifting:

* Carefully watch the hand and arm movements of your customers
* Many potential shoplifters use abnormal eye and neck movements so beware of 'daring, shifting, and jittery' eyes
* Beware of customers who try to distract you, those who loiter, congregate in large groups and who carry open purses or large packages
* Potential shoplifters are unusually nervous, and may be startled when they are greeted
* Post warning signs that state your business vigorously watches for and prosecutes all shoplifters
* Follow suspected shoplifters to make them nervous but never attempt to physically or verbally confront them

For more information on identy theft please visit http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/ or clcik the graphic below.

Three Basic Rules-

1. Trust your instincts
* If something looks wrong or dangerous, change your course of action.

2. Use common sense
* Let someone know where you are going and when you will return

* Never carry a lot of cash, keep your wallet or purse close to you

* Don't resist if someone wants your belongings, especially if that person has a weapon

* Avoid dark streets or lightly traveled areas

3. Work with the Police
* Get to know the police

* Ask police about unfamiliar neighborhoods before traveling there

* Report suspicious activity

* Ask for assistance if you expect trouble or suspect danger