When You Are Playing Outside

• Stay away from curbs when you're walking, and walk with friends. It's fun when you're with friends. People may not bother you as easily if you're with friends.

• Let your parents or guardians know where you are going and how long you plan on being there. Tell them the route that you are going to use to get there.

• Obey all traffic lights when crossing the street, and cross in the crosswalks.

• DON'T play near rest rooms!
  
  

• DON'T play in streets or alleys! Use our parks and playgrounds to play in. There are plenty of parks and playgrounds in the 8th District, which are listed on our Web Page. The Chicago Park District has many great summer programs for kids, and we urge you to take advantage of these supervised programs.

• Try to play in a group, with friends You're safer in a group than you are by yourself. If you get in trouble in a group, there is someone there to help you.

• If someone driving a car stops and calls you to their vehicle, DON'T go near the car. Move away from the vehicle. If possible, try to get a look at the driver or the person who is calling you as you move away. Also try to remember the license plate, and the make and color of the car. Always run in the opposite direction of the car; never run in the direction that the car is facing. Then get to a safe place and tell an adult you trust what happened. If you see a police officer on the street, stop him or her and tell them.

• DON'T ever talk to strangers on the street or accept anything from them such as money, candy, or even a puppy. NEVER go with anyone, even if they tell you that they are looking for a lost person or pet. Get away from that person as quickly as possible. Tell an adult or the police what happened.

When You Are Home Alone

• DON'T open the door for anyone you don't know.

• Keep the doors and windows locked. Ask your parents to teach you how to open and lock doors and windows.

• NEVER let anyone into your home to use your phone, bathroom, or anything else. Your home is not a public phone booth or a public rest room. If there is an emergency outside your home, call 9-1-1 for help and tell the police what is going on. The police will send someone to your home!

• If you call 9-1-1 for help, DON'T hang the phone up. Leave the receiver off the hook and dangling after you talk to us. This way, the police can still hear you in case anything happens before help arrives.

• DON'T talk to strangers on the phone. And NEVER tell the person on the phone that your parents are not home and that you are alone. Tell the person that your parents are not able to come to the phone at this moment, that you will take their name and number, and that your parents will return their call when they can.

• If there is someone hanging around near your home, call for help by dialing 9-1-1. Tell the dispatcher what the person is doing and give a description of the person. Help will be sent to you.

• NEVER play with matches!

We welcome suggestions, comments or requests for additional information.