Child Safety Tips

Bike Helmet Rewards

The Horseheads Police Department has initiated a bicycle safety program geared towards rewarding the youth in the community for properly wearing their helmets while biking or skating.

Officers on patrol in the Village will be distributing coupons to any youth that is properly wearing a bicycle helmet. Friendly’s Restaurant has generously donated 200 free “kids meal” coupons to be distributed with more being available.

We would like to remind parents and children that if you are under 14 years of age, you need to wear a helmet while riding your bicycle or skating. The Horseheads Police Department in partnership with the Chemung County Traffic Safety Board have available “free” helmets to be given away after the completion of a bicycle safety course. We encourage you to ride safely and obey the rules of the road.

School Bus Safety

Here are some safety tips for kids who ride the bus:

• Leave home early enough to arrive at your bus stop on time.
• Wait for the bus in a safe place – well off the roadway.
• Follow the instructions of your school bus driver or bus patrol.
• Remain in your seat while the bus is in motion.
• Keep your head and arms inside the bus at all times.
• Remain quiet and orderly.
• Be alert to traffic when leaving the bus.
• Stay with a group while waiting at the bus stop. If anyone bothers you while going to or from school, say "No", then go, and tell a trusted adult like your parents or teacher.
• Children should never walk behind the school bus.
• Parents should monitor the bus stop for young children.
• Choose the best route. Parents should explore alternate routes to school with their child before school starts.
• Teach crossing skills. Children should cross at intersections only. They should be advised to never take shortcuts by crossing at mid-block.

Biking to School

• Generally speaking, children should not ride in the street before age 10. Before that, bike riding to school should be only on the sidewalk or bike path.
• Wear a helmet. Helmets are a must as they can reduce head injuries by as much as 80%. Helmets should fit well and be worn horizontally across the head, not pushed back. The chin strap should be sufficiently snug that your child should feel the helmet press down on the top of his/her head when she yawns.

Child Safety Tips

• Always use the Buddy System when walking to and from school. It’s safer and more fun to be with your friends. Walk in well-lit areas and never take shortcuts.
• Stay with a group while waiting at the bus stop. If anyone bothers you while going to or from school, say "No", then go, and tell a trusted adult like your parents or teacher.
• If someone you don’t know offers you a ride, say "No". Never hitchhike or accept a ride from anyone unless your parents have told you it is okay.
• Never leave school with someone you do not know. Always check first with a trusted adult like your parents or teacher. If someone you do not know tells you that there is an emergency, and they want you to go with them, always check first before you do anything. Make sure you tell a trusted adult if you notice someone you don’t know hanging around the school.
• Never play in parks, malls, or video arcades by yourself.
• Trust your instincts. If someone makes you scared or uncomfortable, get away as fast as you can and tell a trusted adult.
• Never get close to a car if a stranger calls out to you for directions or anything else. It is easy for a stranger to pull you into a car.
• Never give your name or address to a stranger.
• Never open the door to anyone you do not know.
• Never tell callers that you are home alone.
• Never volunteer family vacation plans or other information about your home.
• Always avoid strangers who are hanging around restrooms or the playground and want to play with you or your friends.

What about the persistent Stranger?

• If a stranger tries to follow you on foot or tries to grab you, run away, scream and make lots of noise. The last thing a dangerous stranger wants is a lot of attention.
• If a stranger in a car bothers you, turn and run in the opposite direction.

Tips for Parents

• Teach children how to spot trouble and be alert for strangers.
• Friendly strangers can be dangerous strangers. Teach young children when a stranger is: anyone they do not know well.
• Teach your children to walk confidently and stay alert to their surroundings.
• Encourage your children to look out for other kids safety and report anything they see that does not seem right.
• Teach your children to write down and report to you the license numbers of people who offer rides, loiter around playgrounds, or appear to follow them or other children.

Play it Safe – Teach children how to avoid trouble

• Never play in deserted areas such as the woods, a parking lot, an alley, deserted building, or new construction.
• Always try to play or walk with friends. It is safer, and more fun.
• Try to sit near the driver on the bus.
• Always keep doors and windows locked when home alone.
• Never hitchhike. Never.
• Never walk or play alone outside at night.
• Always tell a family member or other adult in charge where you will be at all times, and what time you will be home.

Teach children how to respond

• They should know how to dial 0 or 911 or other emergency numbers used in your area.
• They should memorize their area code and phone number, and maybe a friends number as well.
• They should memorize your work number.