Safety Tips
Internet Dangers
 | Change your password on occasion so that your child can't access the computer without your permission. |
| Limit the amount of time your child can spend on the computer. |
| Never let your child download pictures from an unknown source, as there is a good chance there could be sexually explicit images, or computer viruses. |
| Never let your child respond to messages or bulletin board postings that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, or harassing. |
The following steps should be taken to keep your children from material that is sexual, hateful, or violent in nature:
| Purchase software that can identify adult-themed Web sites and automatically block a child from entering. |
| Have the computer in a well-trafficked place where you can see what your child is doing. |
The following steps should be taken to keep your children safe from activities that could threaten their personal safety:
| Monitor your child's access to all types of live electronic communications (i.e., chat rooms, instant messages, Internet Relay Chat, etc.). and monitor your child's e-mail. |
| Never let you child accept instant Messages-private, real-time text conversations between two users in a chat room - from someone you don't know. |
| If you feel that your child has been contacted by an undesirable person either through the Internet or any other online service, you should immediately contact your local or state law enforcement agency, the FBI, and if applicable, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. |
The following steps should be taken to keep from divulging financial and personal information:
| Never let your child give out sensitive information such as their real name or your name, home address, and credit card, Social Security or telephone numbers. |
| If you feel that you child has given out any private financial information through the internet or any other online service, you should immediateley contact your local or state law enforcement agency, or the FBI. |
The FBI, local law enforcement officials and Internet consultants all agree the best way to keep your child safe from Internet dangers is vigilant parenting.
Family Violence
The following steps should be taken to help stop family violence:
Be prepared to get away
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If you or your children are being abused and are in immediate danger call the police - DIAL 911; |
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Keep spare necessities with someone you trust (i.e. spare clothing, important papers, prescriptions, sufficient amount of money etc); |
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Plan the safest time to get away; |
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Know where you can go for help |
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
24-Hour Hotline/Safe shelter - Volusia county (386) 255-2102 or 738-4080
Florida Domestic Hotline 1- (800) 500-1119
VICTIM COURT ADVOCACY
Monday thru Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm - (386) 257-2297 Ext 15 & 16
Batterer's Intervention (FVIP) (386) 257-2297 ext 13 & 14
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
To report child abuse - 1- (800) 962-2973
K.I.D.S. Counseling program (Monday thru Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm) (386) 258-0884
"Hugs & Love" Children's program (Monday thru Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm) (386) 292-5025
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If you are injured go to the nearest hospital emergency room; |
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Keep your children safe by keeping them with you; |
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Consider an injunction for protection - Call (386) 297-2297 ext 15 (Monday thru Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm) |
IF YOU FEEL YOU MIGHT HURT YOUR CHILD
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Take time out; make sure your child is safe, then cool down; |
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Have a plan of action for when you're frustrated or angry; |
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Talk to someone, a friend, a relative, counselor, etc; |
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Remember violence teaches violence; |
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NEVER shake a baby - IT CAN BE FATAL!!
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SAFETY CHECKLIST FOR KIDS
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Know where your kids are, especially young children |
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Don't let them go out alone; there is safety in numbers |
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Know the people they're with |
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Speak openly with them about their safety |
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Make sure kids know exactly how to get to and from places they walk to regularly as well as safe places to stop along the way |
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Practice and talk about different scenarios; ask your kids what they would do
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"No, Go, Tell" Plan For Kids:
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Kids have aright to say no to unknown grown-ups |
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Educate your child to be assertive and "to yell and tell" when someone tries to take them |
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Teach your child to scream: "This isn't my dad!" |
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Instruct your child to find a woman with a stroller or a child for help |
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If possible, have your child grab and hold on to a nearby adult to get help |
For more information on how to protect your children from possible abductions visit
www.childfind.com or www.missingkids.com
Recognizing a stroke
This might be a lifesaver if we
can remember these three questions! Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult
to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The
stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the
symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say any bystander can recognize a stroke
asking three simple questions:
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Ask the individual to smile. |
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Ask him or her to raise both arms. |
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Ask the person to speak a simple sentence. |
If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions. They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last February.
"Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage."
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