Tips For A Safe Pokémon Go Experience

Pokémon Go has taken the public by storm and is the latest craze.  People are so hooked on the game that they are putting themselves in vulnerable positions, by visiting out of the way places late at night or alone.  Kids become so fascinated by the game that they actually forget all safety rules, and will talk to people they don't know or even walk off with them as evidenced in some recent videos.

Parents you must set firm ground rules for playing the game. It can be a fun family activity, but the when, where and with who must be established first.  Also, parents cannot just state these rules once and expect kids to follow them to a tee.  Parents should also consider having kids under 18 sign a contract with the rules, and if they violate any of the rules, their playing privileges are revoked.  These rules should also apply to adults playing the game by themselves as they could also be targeted by criminals.

Here are some safety tips to review with your children on a regular basis regarding Pokémon Go:

• Do not EVER sneak out of the house to go play the game without
  permission from parents!
• Do not let individuals you do not know use your phone.  If there is an emergency, you call 911.
• Always travel in pairs or with several people when playing the game, especially at night.
• Don't go to areas you're not familiar with, and always let someone know where you're headed even if you're with a partner(s).
• Remain vigilant about your surroundings at all times.  Do not become so engrossed in the game, that you fail to notice people around you.
• Be aware if individuals or groups seem to be playing everywhere you go, or are too close in proximity to you.  It could be coincidence or they could be stalking you.
• Keep your valuables like (wallets, cash and jewelry) hidden while out and about.
• Be careful of divulging personal information to people who seem determined to engage you in conversation.
• If driving, keep your door locked and windows rolled up, especially in areas you are not familiar with.
• Most important, trust your gut instincts about places and/or people.  If something doesn't feel right, get out of the area immediately!

Pokémon Go is a nationwide phenomenon that is meant to be fun for all involved.  But unfortunately, some criminals are using some of the  Pokémon Stops to commit crimes on the players.  Be vigilant, be safe and be aware that some may be creating or using false stops to lure people in for the purpose of robbery or sexual assault.

Remember - "If you fail to plan, Plan to fail!"

#safeandunafraid

What Would Your Child Do?

Suppose, despite all of your warnings and lectures about "strangers", your child was approached and grabbed by a stranger?  Have you prepared your child for this worst case scenario?  As a parent, you don’t want to think of your child ever being put in this situation, but your child’s reaction could mean the difference between you seeing them again or possible death for the child.

When you are discussing “stranger danger” with your child, please clarify your child’s perception of what a “stranger” is to them.  You may be surprised as to their description and perception of strangers.  A group of school aged children were asked to describe what a stranger was and their answers ranged from someone who is skinny, or tall, is ugly, is fat, is short, etc..  Not many children said, “Someone I don’t know or my parents don’t know.”

Even more disturbing, was a poll done at a children’s expo, where dozens of parents were asked if they had discussed what actions their child should take if grabbed by a stranger.  Not ONE parent had discussed this possibility with their child!  NOT ONE!!  Parents just can’t phantom the thought of something like this ever happening to their precious children.  And by the grace of God, hopefully it never will!  But, wouldn’t you as a parent, feel better if you know you had prepared your child for EVERY possible scenario?

Please teach your child this one simple move, and you may help them avoid becoming a victim if they are ever faced with this dilemma.  Tell your child if they are grabbed, to drop like a sack of potatoes, stay down on their back like a crab and keep their legs kicking towards their attacker.  While on the ground and kicking, the child should scream at the top of their lungs, “THIS IS NOT MY FATHER/MOTHER! SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!”  By screaming this again and again it will garner the attention of surrounding adults as not just another kid having a temper tantrum and make it nearly impossible for the attacker to pick them up and cart them away.  Think about…have you every tried to pick up a screaming two or three-year old laying on the floor having a temper tantrum and kicking?  They are dead weight and impossible to control.  Any child predator is more likely to run away and leave the child as this scene is attracting too much attention and too much trouble.  Child predators like to escape unnoticed and neatly.  This technique is also useful for women or anyone for that matter to avoid an attack or attempted kidnapping.

Parents must keep the lines of communication open and continually talk to their children about safety and being aware of their surrounding.  With the technological world we are living in, kids are too distracted when out in public with their headphones on listening to their iPods or walking and texting.  You must stress to them the importance of looking around and being present in the moment.

#safeandunafraid

Family Code Word

Have you ever been late picking up your child from school, sports or band practice, a friend's house or the mall?  No matter how early you leave to pick them up, you cannot control traffic and accidents.  Delays are bound to happen at least once.  Have you rehearsed what your child should do in these scenarios?  Would they panic?  Would they get into a car with an adult claiming to be there on your behalf?  Would they leave with their friends?  If you have properly prepared your child, the answer should be, no they would not leave that location without permission from me.  Or "No, they would not get into a car unless the adult has given the family code word."  You do have a family code word, right?

Starting at an early age (around age four), children should be taught that there are only a couple of people trusted and approved to pick them up from any location in case of an emergency.  These handful of trusted adults must tell the child the family code word before a child is to get into their car.  If the adult cannot remember the code word, they are NOT to enter the car!  At this point, every attempt should be made to contact the parents for verification.  You must teach your child to disbelieve anyone who shows up and offers a ride if they don't know the correct code word!

A family code word should be something the child can easily remember, but not common enough that anyone could guess.  For example, do not use any of the family member's names, the dog's name or street name.  Your child should understand that no one, absolutely NO ONE, is to be told the code word under any circumstances!  This is especially important to stress upon young kids who may want to impress their your friends with a secret.

If an emergency situation arises, and the code word is exposed to others when used, you should pick a new family code word immediately.  Impress upon your child the importance of ignoring the old code word once a new one has been selected.  Review the new word frequently and test the child on occasion to keep it fresh in their minds.  This activity not only reinforces the new code word in the child's mind, it is an important refresher for the entire family.

Always remember – “If You Fail to Plan, Then Plan to Fail”.

#safeandunafraid 

Safety Tips for Worry-Free Apartment Living

In this day and age, more adults are choosing to live in apartments for a variety of reasons.  These reasons range from convenience, affordability versus home ownership, downsizing because of an empty nest, and location.  Whatever the reason may be, here are a few safety tips to make your apartment stay as worry-free as possible.

While you are conducting your initial search and before moving in, here are a few tips to consider:

• What is the local crime rate in the area?  Use a website like SpotCrime.com to check out the area's history.
• If you have friends, co-workers or family that live in that area, ask what their general impression is about the complex you are considering moving to.
• Drive by at different times of the day/night and see what it looks like.  After hours, are there shady characters hanging out on balconies, in the parking lot etc.?
• If the building includes fire escapes, do they keep them pulled up and limit access from the ground level?
• Do the managers or maintenance personnel live on property?  Is there a contingency plan for after hour emergencies?
• Is there adequate parking provided for the residents and their guests?
• Is it gated? Do they provide a roving security guard? Are the entrances, hallways or breezeways adequately lit at night?
• Always visit the model of the apartment you are considering beforehand, and check if there are peepholes in the doors, adequate bolt locks and whether window coverings are provided.  Are kitchen and laundry appliances provided and maintained by the complex?

Once you have moved in, here a few things to consider:

• First, get renter's insurance!  This will protect your valuables in the event of a fire, theft or severe weather.  Most apartment complexes have insurance, but it's usually to cover their losses only, like the rebuilding cost of the building.  You can find adequate coverage for approximately $20 per month.
• A personal fire safe would be a very good investment.  This safe could be used to protect valuable papers, jewelry, cash and firearms.
• Insist that the property manager change the locks to ensure the previous tenants cannot re-enter when you are away.
• Keep your blinds or curtains closed at night to avoid prying eyes from seeing your belongings.
• Get to know your neighbors.  You don't have to become best friends, but break the ice so you are aware of who belongs in your general area and who doesn't.
• Park in well-lit areas and hide your valuables.  Don't leave cell phones, important papers, sunglasses, etc., exposed to entice a would be burglar.
• Use your peep hole, keep your door closed and talk through your door when someone you don't know knocks on your door.  Don't worry about being perceived as rude, as your safety is more important!
• If you work different shifts, and regularly come home in the wee hours, invest in a hand held pepper spray that you can hold while walking to your door from the car.  Better to be safe than sorry, especially if someone is monitoring your coming and going.

Just remember, living in an apartment is similar to living in a house and the same precautions you would take with a residential home are the same for living in an apartment in most cases.

Be aware and be vigilant whenever you are entering and leaving, and stay cognizant of the people living around you and their activities.  If something or someone makes you uneasy, report your concerns to the management company and let them investigate further.  There is no such thing, in this day and age, as being too careful when it comes to your personal safety!  If you see something, SAY something!!

#safeandunafraid

Parents Please Be Aware of Teens Smoking Embalming Fluid

Parents, do you know what the drug "Wet" is and what it is made of?  Most people have never heard of the drug, but on the teen scene it is becoming increasingly popular.

"Wet" is a chemical component of embalming fluid that is combined with PCP.  This deadly and highly additive combination is then put on cigarettes or rolled in a marijuana joint and smoked.  Some kids have nicknamed it the "death stick" or "fry stick".

The effects of "Wet" range from hallucinations, suicidal thoughts and even violent outbursts that have resulted in users committing murder.  Moderate use can affect a young person's growth and development.  Other side effects reported are seizures, coma and even death.  This is not surprising given that embalming fluid alone can cause brain and lung damage, sores in the throat, nose and esophagus.  Embalming fluid is also very carcinogenic.  Users become hooked on the cigarettes soaked with the fluid, because not only does it burn longer, but they experience increased highs.

Parents need to be aware of any behavioral changes in their children and address the issues promptly.  Teens face increasing pressure from their peers these days to try various drugs and risky behavior.  It is up to the parents to keep the lines of communication open and have frank conversations about drugs, sex and anything that may affect their lives.  Don't worry about being perceived as "nosey" by your kids.  Your inquisitiveness may one day save their lives. There's plenty of time later to be their "friend".

#safeandunafraid

Do Kids Come With a Manual?: Ideas To Teach Kids Random Acts of Kindness

Do Kids Come With a Manual?: Ideas To Teach Kids Random Acts of Kindness: With all of the recent events that have occurred in our country, some children may be anxious or nervous.  The 24 hour nonstop coverage of p...

Ideas To Teach Kids Random Acts of Kindness

With all of the recent events that have occurred in our country, some children may be anxious or nervous.  The 24 hour nonstop coverage of protests, killings and violence is hard to escape.  The world they are growing up in has become hard, cold and frightening.  If we don't take a stand and advocate for change now, the future is looking very scary for the generations to come.  It is our responsibility as parents to help our children grow up to be better than we were.

Here are a few simple suggestions, you can do with your kids to help promote and teach them about kindness.  We must teach children when they are very young, about being kind and respectful towards others, or they may grow up and start to bully others that are different from themselves or be frighten of others that appear different.

• Teach them to say "Please" and "Thank You" to everyone, no matter who it may be, who does something kind for them.
• Hold the door open for someone walking in behind them at the store.
• Smile and ask how the cashier's day is going when checking out of a store.
• Bake cookies for your neighbors just because.
• Volunteer to help with dinner and set the table.
• Help Mom and Dad take out the trash or complete chores without asking.
• Buy someone they don't know a snack at school with their allowance.
• Be the first to say hello and be nice to the new students in their classrooms.
• Say "Have a Nice Day!" to their teachers, custodians and administrators.
• Donate their toys they are not playing with anymore to a children's shelter.
• Write a letter to an elderly relative or send them a post card.
• Hand out kindness coins or happy face post-its/stickers to random children when out with parents.
• Say "I love you" at least once everyday to your family.
• Volunteer to help at kid events.
• Drop off cookies or baked goods at the local fire station.
• Shake the hand of a police officer or military member and say thank you.
• Make hug and smile coupons for family members to be redeemed as needed.
• Most important, teach your children to "Be Kind Always"!

As you can see these are simple, very doable acts that may not seem grandiose in nature, but just imagine if a whole generation of children was kind to everyone?  No one can resist the smile or kind gesture of a child.  If more people made a conscious effort to be kind and respectful to one another, we would truly be leaving the world better off than when we first arrived.  Isn't that what parenting is all about? 

The bottom line is whether you are Black, White, Brown or whatever color, we are all part of the Human Race FIRST and foremost, and no one group is better than another.  Teach your child to be a judge of people's character and not their race, creed or color.

Remember - #Be.Kind.Always

#safeandunafraid