INTERNET SAFETY TIPS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS

•  Personal Information. Don’t give out personal information without your parents’ permission. This means you should not share your last name, home address, school name, or telephone number. Remember, just because someone asks for information about you does not mean you have to tell them anything about yourself!

• Screen Name. When creating your screen name, do not include personal information like your last name or date of birth.

• Passwords. Don’t share your password with anyone but your parents. When you use a public computer make sure you logout of the accounts you’ve accessed before leaving the terminal.

• Photos. Don’t post photos or videos online without getting your parents’ permission.

• Online Friends. Don’t agree to meet an online friend unless you have your parents’ permission. Unfortunately, sometimes people pretend to be people they aren’t. Remember that not everything you read online is true.

• Online Ads. Don’t buy anything online without talking to your parents first. Some ads may try to trick you by offering free things or telling you that you have won something as a way of collecting your personal information.

• Downloading. Talk to your parents before you open an email attachment or download software. Attachments sometimes contain viruses. Never open an attachment from someone you don’t know.

• Bullying. Don’t send or respond to mean or insulting messages. Tell your parents if you receive one. If something happens online that makes you feel uncomfortable, talk to your parents or to a teacher at school.

• Social Networking. Many social networking websites (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Second Life and MySpace) and blog hosting websites have minimum age requirements to signup. These requirements are there to protect you!

• Research. Talk to your librarian, teacher or parent about safe and accurate websites for research. The public library offers lots of resources. If you use online information in a school project make sure you explain where you got the information.

INTERNET SAFETY TIPS FOR PARENTS

The computer should be in an open area, not in a child’s room. “You don’t want to spy on your kids or peer over their shoulder, but you want them to know you’re in the room.”

Assure your children that you know you can count on them to use the Internet responsibly. “Kids need to feel they’re trusted.”

Set clear expectations for your child, based on age and maturity. Does your child have a list of websites she needs to stick with when doing her research? Is she allowed to use a search engine to find appropriate sites? Is your child allowed to visit social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace? What sites is she allowed to visit just for fun? Write down the rules and place them next to the computer. Your child’s teacher should be able to advise you on which sites are appropriate for schoolwork and educational fun.

Use filtering software designed to help parents limit the websites children can access. Some programs have monitoring features that can tell you which sites your child visits and can even send you a message letting you know your child is online. (While such programs have come a long way since the early bug-ridden days, they are not a substitute for supervision and communication.)

Tell your child if you are using software to track her online activity. Remind him that you are not spying; you are keeping him safe. Tell him that protecting him is your job as a parent.

Stay involved with your child’s school by remaining in close contact with your child’s teachers and counselors. If trouble is brewing among students online, it probably started at school. Knowing what’s going on at school will increase the chances that you’ll hear about what’s happening online.

A growing concern with kids and the Internet is online bullying. Ask your child specific questions about whether he is being bullied at school or online. Talk about your own experiences in school with bullying, letting him know you know it goes on. Assure him that you won’t try to fix the problem, if it is happening, without talking to him first.

Parents often worry about their child being bullied, but they don’t readily consider that their child could be a bully. Talk to your child about why it is not OK to bully other children, online or in person. “Teach compassion and kindness.  From the get-go, they will know that being a bully…doesn’t feel good.”

Tell your child that people who introduce themselves on the Internet are often not who they say they are. Show your child how easy it is to assume another identity online. Don’t assume your child knows everything about the Internet. Kids are naturally trusting.

Instruct your child to never give out personal information online, including her full name, gender, age, school, address, or teams. Teach your child to be generic and anonymous on the Internet.

The Switzerland County Sheriff’s Office wants you to know that they care for the elderly in our community.  Our office is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  You can reach us at (812) 427-3636 or in the case of an emergency dial 911.  Each year people find themselves the victims of fraud and identity thefts.  We receive numerous reports in our office each year from victims.  The following tips are given to ensure that our citizens don’t become a victim of crime:

TELEMARKETING FRAUD

When you send someone money that you do not know, you increase your odds of becoming a victim of telemarketing.

Here are some signs that you may be a victim of fraud.

• You must act “now” or the offer won’t be good.
• You have won a free gift but have to pay a shipping or handling fee or “Taxes” to claim it.
• You must send money, give your credit card or your bank account information to receive goods or to get a loved one out of jail.  These requests are rarely legit.

If you hear of any of these or “similar lines” from anyone, just say no thank you and hang up the telephone.  You do not have to be nice to these people.  HANG UP.

 IDENTITY THEFT

Identity theft occurs when someone assumes your identity to perform fraud or other criminal act.  Identity thieves can obtain your information from statements that you throw away in the trash.  They can also pose as electric, phone, or cable companies and ask for your information to “pay an overdue bill” or to “verify your account”.  NEVER give out your information over the phone.  No legitimate company will ever call and ask you for this type of information.  Once they have your information, they can apply for loans and credit cards in your name.  You get stuck with the bill and they get the benefits.

If you suspect that someone is trying to take advantage of you, kindly advise them that you will have to talk to your Sheriff to see if this is legitimate or not.  They will be very convincing.  DO NOT GIVE INTO THEIR CHARM.  Call me at (812) 427-3636 and leave a message.  I will call you back to discuss the situation.  I have never come across a legitimate offer in all my years with the department.  Please do not fall victim to these criminal activities.  Once you have given money or information to them, it is virtually impossible to get it back.

BUSINESS SCAMS

Business scams are where a “company” comes to your house and offers a Great Deal on re-paving your driveway, painting a roof, fixing a shed, etc…   They will give you a low price to perform the work and get a down payment to start the job.  They inform you that they are going to get materials and never come back.  You have lost your money and the “company information” they gave you is fictitious.  Or, they give you one price to do the job and perform the work.  When the invoice is given to you, you notice that the price has gone up dramatically.  They offer some excuse as to why the price went up and you pay the high price.  Most of these contractors are not from our area and could be from several states away.  Don’t be fooled by these crooks.  If you need some work done, hire locally with someone you can trust.  If you encounter this type of scam artist in our community, call us immediately at (812) 427-3636 and report it.  Try to remember the type of truck, company name and license plate if you can get it.

These are just a few of the many types of crimes affecting our community each and every day.  Don’t be fooled by these scams.  Call us so that we can direct you in how to proceed with a incident.

 DON’T FALL VICTIM FOR THESE TYPE OF SCAMS.

Below are some tips to keep your child safe.  The following topics are listed with tips below for your convenience.

BIKE SAFETY

Top Bicycle Safety Rules

• Always wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet to protect your head – every time you ride.
• Use a bicycle that is the appropriate size for you.
• Before you ride, make sure that you don’t have any loose clothing, drawstrings or shoelaces that can get caught up in your chain and cause you to fall or wreck.
• Have an adult check the air in your tires and that the brakes are working before you ride.
• Wear bright clothes so that others can see you on your bicycle.
• Stay alert at all times.  Pay attention and watch for cars, people and bicyclists around you.
• Don’t bicycle at night.
• Before you enter any street or intersection, check for traffic by looking left-right-left to make sure no cars or trucks are there.
• Learn and follow the rules of the road.

Rules of the Road

• Only ride in the road if your mom or dad says it is OK.  Never ride in the road without their permission.
• When riding in the road, always ride on the right hand side of the road. (same direction as traffic).
• Ride predictably – ride in a straight line, don’t weave in and out of traffic.
• When riding on a sidewalk – show respect for the people walking on the sidewalk.  Ring your bell to let them know you are coming and always pass on the left.
• Look for objects in your path that could cause you to fall off of your bicycle.

WHAT TO TEACH A CHILD IF HE GETS LOST

Would your child know what to do if he or she got separated from you in a crowded place?  It is one of the most heart-pounding scary scenarios for parents.  Properly prepare your child for this event and give yourself some piece of mind.

Make sure that your child knows your full name, your phone number and your address.

Have the child practice calling your phone.

Teach your child to ask for help safely.

Tell your child to look for a person in uniform (police, fireman, EMT).  If they cannot find a person in uniform, then look for an adult with a child.

Tell your child to never go looking for you if they become separated.  Tell them to stay right where they are so that you can come and find them.

Practice the “What Ifs.”  Go over these tips periodically with your child, especially before heading out to a playground, park or other heavily populated area.  Sometimes a simple question and answer session can keep these tips fresh in your child’s mind.

CHILD HOME SAFETY TIPS

SEE YOUR HOME AS YOUR CHILD SEES IT

The best way to start child proofing a home is to get down on your hands and knees for a tour. Strange as it may seem, even a home with almost nothing in it will seem dangerous from this perspective. An empty book case looks like a ladder and a table cloth looks like something to pull up on. Electrical sockets and electrical cords will suddenly take up much more of your vision, and small objects on the carpet will become much easier to see.

As you take your tour, think about how many places your child will end up in the course of the next three years. While some may believe that confining children to their rooms, or to a playpen, lessens the need for a child-safe house, the truth is that sooner or later your child will find his way to every corner of every room. The more remote the corner, the more likely it is they will be out of your sight when they find themselves there.

SMALL OBJECTS

One of the most common causes of child death is choking. Objects smaller than your child’s mouth must be kept, always, where they cannot be reached. You must make removing these objects from floors and tables an instinctive response until your child is over three years old. Begin this process when your child is still unable to crawl because it will take months to accomplish.

Brittle, breakable and chewable objects are also dangerous to your child because they can be broken into bits and swallowed. This can result in choking accidents as well as poisoning accidents.

CORDS AND WIRES

Another frequent cause of child death is strangulation. No visible cord or wire should be anywhere near your child until he is over four and is able to understand the danger of strangulation.

This means you may have to move table lamps and floor lamps, computers and appliances to new positions. Electrical cords must be completely unreachable. Things such as drapery cords and old-fashioned telephone coils must be shortened so they are 6 inches or less in length. Alternatively, they may be adjusted so they never come within 3 feet of the ground.

FALLING

Children are hurt when they fall and when objects fall on them. A sturdy child protective barrier should be at the top of any staircase. Bookcases and chest of drawers should be weighted or attached to the wall, so they cannot topple if climbed on. Tables with table cloths are dangerous because children pull things down on themselves. Corded appliances, such as irons and curling irons, can be particularly dangerous. Make sure to put them away when you are not using them.

FIRE, WATER AND ELECTRICITY

Thousands of children every year are burned by radiators and heaters, shocked or electrocuted by electrical appliances and drowned in water. In making your house child safe, take the time and effort to address these dangers.

Make sure electrical cords are hidden so children can’t bite them. Buy child-safe plugs to insert into electrical sockets you aren’t using. Make sure bathroom plugs are designed to short out or switch off if there’s a danger of electrocution.

Make sure all fire alarms are working. Ensure your child cannot touch the radiator, the electric heater or the hot grate of a central heating system. Make sure the fireplaces in your home are protected by child-proof grates even when not in use.  Ashes can be quite toxic to a child.

Water, ranging from mop buckets and toilets to showers and baths, are always dangerous to small children. A child can drown in as little as an inch of water.

Make sure your children are protected from other fluids as well. Childproof locks on cabinets that contain cleaning supplies and medicines save thousands of lives every year.

NO HOME IS CHILD SAFE

No child under the age of three should be left unattended and free to wander the house for even as little as five minutes. No matter how careful you have been in baby proofing your home, your child will find the one thing you left undone.

However, by taking the precautions outlined in these tips, you give your child more freedom to move around your home and you make your job of monitoring them that much easier.

In cooperation with the Switzerland County Emergency Management Agency, the following tips are given to prepare for a disaster:

   PLAN TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY

   Basic Protective Measures for All Hazards

Depending upon the nature of the emergency and your circumstances, one of the first important decisions is whether to stay where you are or evacuate.  You should understand and plan for both possibilities.  Some basic protective actions are similar across many different hazards:

•Physical safety is a concern for all hazards and may involve sheltering or evacuating.

Escape Routes:  Draw a floor plan of your home.   Establish a place to meet after the evacuation.  Make sure children understand the drawing/meeting place.

Sheltering facts:  Choose a shelter location.  Have Emergency Supply Kit available.

•Develop a family communications plan,

Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another. Think about how you will communicate in different situations.  Complete a contact card for each family member;  keep these cards handy in a wallet, purse or backpack, etc.

 •Make an emergency supply kit to be prepared for any type of disaster.

Water, food, and clean air are important things to have if an emergency happens. Each family or individual’s kit should be customized to meet specific needs, such as medications and infant formula. It should also be customized to include important family documents.

                 Recommended Supplies to Include in a Basic Kit:

                 – Water, one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation

                 – Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food

                – Medications

                – Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and

extra batteries

                – Flashlight and extra batteries

                – First Aid kit

                – Whistle to signal for help

                – Infant formula and diapers, if you have an infant

                – Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

                – Dust mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air

                – Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place

                – Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

                – Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)

                – Cell phone with charger

 •Learn about receiving emergency alerts.

Switzerland County Emergency Management is on Facebook and Twitter.  You can also sign up to receive emergency notifications by phone, text, or email at NIXLE.com.