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Information for Children & Young People

Safety Tips

Children and young people in Bromley helped us to write this page. Got ideas of what else should go here? Email us at BSCP@Bromley.gov.uk

Keeping Yourself Safe

We were all taught the basic rules of 'Stranger Danger' when we were younger:

  • Never accept gifts or sweets from a stranger or someone you don't know very well. Are they a TRUSTED ADULT?
  • Never get in a car with a stranger or anyone who is not a close family member/friend and TRUSTED
  • Never go anywhere with a stranger or someone you don't know very well. No matter what they tell you ("your mum's on the phone, come and speak to her", '"your nan is in hospital, I've come to collect you", "my dog is hurt, can you help me". If you are unsure, speak to a trusted adult (teacher, parent) first.
  • Never go off on your own without telling your parents or a trusted adult.

Remember, you can't tell by looking at someone whether they are good people or bad people. A small number of people in the world want to hurt children and they are very clever at lying. To keep safe you need to learn about what and who to avoid but also what to do when you feel uneasy. This goes for ANYTIME you feel you are in danger.

1. Knowing who we can trust if we need help. Check out H2BSafer's new video on WHAT IS A TRUSTED ADULT? If you are in danger in a public place, think about who are 'Safe Strangers'- Police officers, paramedics, receptionist, teacher, bus driver. They are people who can be trusted to help you in a public place when they are at work and doing their job. If these people are not around, find a parent with children and ask them for help. Stay in a 'Safe Place' until your Trusted Adult arrives.

2. Having the confidence to trust your instincts if you have a bad feeling about a place or person. Never be embarrassed about seeking help if you are worried.

3. Be aware of your surroundings. Wearing headphones means you can't hear someone behind you. Stick to 'Safe Places' - busy, crowded places, stick together with friends. If you feel in danger, run to a shop, café or school. People there will help you until a TRUSTED ADULT arrives.

4. Always try to stay with a friend or a group of friends if at all possible. Safety in numbers!

5. Be assertive. If someone you don't know well is trying to talk to you, walk away. If a car is driving alongside you with someone asking you to get in, run the opposite way to a 'Safe Place'. If someone tries to grab you, YELL and TELL. Shout 'I don't know you!' or 'You're not my dad!' to get attention. If someone is trying to drag you or has grabbed hold of you, you have permission to FIGHT BACK - get angry, bite, fight, kick, punch, shout. If you are being dragged, drop to the ground and grab their feet so they can't walk and keep shouting. Kick their knees. Do everything you can to stop being taken by this person.

Always tell a trusted adult if you have been approached by a stranger. They might be trying to get to other kids too.

The free worksheets on http://www.free-for-kids.com/stranger-danger-worksheets-1.shtml are very useful.

Your parents might want to read more about Personal Safety too in this worksheet for them from KidSmartz.

Bromley Youth Council

Bromley Youth Council made three short films for you last summer as part of their summer campaign on Personal Safety. The films tackle internet safety, reporting crime and peer pressure. Click here to view their You Tube channel.