Safety Strategies: Protecting Yourself from Harmful Situations

1. Learning basic safety precautions can help a person avoid threatening or harmful situations.

2. personal safety • self-defense • cyberbullying

3. Safety Strategies • The key to personal safety is learning how to recognize and avoid dangerous situations. • Teens are the victims of more violent crimes than any other age group.

4. Safety Strategies • Teens are more likely than children to go out at night, but they are less likely than adults to protect their personal safety. Personal safety The steps you take to prevent yourself from becoming the victim of crime.

5. Safety Strategies • About half of all violent crime occurs within one mile of a victim’s home, and many victims know their attackers.

6. Safety Strategies If you carry a cell phone, make sure it’s easy to get to.  Call 911 if you need emergency services.  Avoid walking alone at night or in isolated areas, such as alleys or parks.   Stick to brightly lit, well-traveled streets. Walk briskly and confidently. 

7. Safety Strategies Wear comfortable shoes so that you can move quickly.  Carry your wallet or purse in a place that makes it difficult to grab.  Avoid openly displaying expensive jewelry, electronics, or anything that would attract a thief.  If you drive, park your car in a well-lit area and lock it. Before getting in, check the inside of the car.  Never hitchhike or give a ride to anyone you do not know well. 

8. Safety Strategies Keep in mind that even someone you’ve met before could be dangerous.  Get on and off public transportation in busy, well-lit areas.  Sit near the driver or with a group of people.  Know the locations of nearby public places where you can seek help if you need it.  Let your family know where you’re going and when you’ll be back. Call them if your plans change. 

9. Learning to Protect Yourself • One way that you can protect yourself from crime is to avoid the places where it is likely to occur. • Be aware of what’s happening around you, even when you are in familiar places.

10. Learning to Protect Yourself • One self-defense strategy is to project a strong, confident image. Self-defense Any strategy for protecting yourself from harm

11. Learning to Protect Yourself If you think you are being followed in a public place Let the stalker know that you are aware of his or her presence. Try changing directions or crossing the street. Seek help from someone nearby or enter a business that’s open.

12. Learning to Protect Yourself • If you are attacked or about to be attacked, do whatever is necessary to escape, such as running, yelling, or kicking. • Shout “fire” instead of “help”—it’s more likely to get a response.

13. Learning to Protect Yourself • Self-defense classes can boost your confidence and help you take charge of your own safety.

14. Learning to Protect Yourself physically protect yourself size up situation Self-defense classes can teach you how to figure out what to do catch your attacker off-guard

15. Staying Safe Online • Teens need to protect themselves online. • The Internet is a useful resource, but it can also be a dangerous place.

16. Staying Safe Online Tips for Staying Safe Online  Keep your identity private.  Keep online relationships online.  Don’t respond to inappropriate messages. Let your parents or guardians know what you’re doing online. 

17. Coping with Cyberbullies • About 40 percent of teens say they have experienced cyberbullying. Cyberbullying Cruel or hurtful online contact

18. Coping with Cyberbullies • Cyberbullies can be people you know or strangers. • Cyberbullying can range from immature and annoying to threatening and scary.

19. Coping with Cyberbullies Tips for Coping with Cyberbullies  Be careful how you communicate online.  Follow Web site rules for postings.  Be careful how you word your messages.  Don’t respond to hurtful messages.

20. Avoiding Internet Predators • Keep your identity private, and don’t agree to meet in person with someone you’ve met online.

21. Avoiding Internet Predators • If you ever find yourself in an online conversation that makes you feel uncomfortable or threatened—for any reason—log off and let a trusted adult know about the incident.

22. After You ReadReviewing Facts and Vocabulary • What steps can you take to protect yourself from an attack when entering or leaving a car? • Park in a well-lit area, lock your car, check the car for intruders before getting in, and lock the doors as soon as you get in.

23. After You ReadReviewing Facts and Vocabulary • Name two threats you may encounter on the Internet. • Cyberbullying and Internet predators

24. After You ReadReviewing Facts and Vocabulary • How can you avoid becoming the target of a cyberbully? • Sample answer: Be careful how you communicate online.