CARTERET COUNTY, NC (August 23, 2023) – As we head into the new school year, the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office is focused on making sure students are safe when they go to and from school. Sheriff Asa Buck of Carteret County is offering safety tips to empower students and parents with the knowledge needed to have a safe school year.
“Parents can play an important role in enhancing their children’s safety by educating them about potential hazards and ensuring they are well-prepared,” stated Sheriff Buck. “By instilling these safety measures, we can collectible make Carteret County a safer place for all.
For Students:
- Always travel with a friend, especially in emergency situations.
- Be wary of strangers – individuals you and your parents aren't familiar with.
- Refrain from accepting gifts, money, or rides from strangers, including strangers in cars.
- Maintain distance from unfamiliar cars and never get close to a vehicle or enter one.
- Be cautious of individuals who request your assistance – always prioritize your safety.
- If you ride a bike or skateboard to school, remember to wear a helmet. Also, make sure to lock up your bike securely when you park it.
- Avoid disclosing personal information, like your name and address, while walking.
- If you feel threatened, immediately seek refuge in a store, "safe house," or return to school.
- Always inform your parents or teacher if a stranger approaches you.
- If you’re home by yourself after school, be sure to tell a parent or neighbor as soon as you get inside.
For Parents:
- Ensure your child is familiar with their home phone number, address, your work number, and a trusted adult's contact information.
- Plan a direct walking route to school with minimal crossings and intersections, avoiding secluded areas.
- Instruct children to obey traffic signals, signs, and safety officers, particularly in inclement weather.
- Encourage walking or traveling with a companion – a friend, neighbor, or sibling.
- When carpooling, drop off and pick up children as close to the school as possible, waiting until they are within the school's vicinity.
- Teach your child to exercise caution around strangers, never accepting gifts, rides, or engaging in conversations.
- For children staying home alone after school, establish safety rules for door answering, phone use, and activities.
- Ensure children check in with you or a neighbor immediately upon arriving home.
- Set clear guidelines for friends visiting or going to their homes when no adult is present.
- Listen attentively to your children's fears, feelings, and concerns, taking them seriously and addressing any issues promptly.
Sheriff Buck emphasizes that this collaboration between law enforcement, parents, and students will result in a safer more secure community for all. “We believe that through awareness and preparedness, we can create an environment where our children thrive while feeling safe,” concluded Sheriff Buck.
For more information and resources on back-to-school safety, please contact the Carteret County Sheriff's Office at (252) 728-8400 or visit their website at www.carteretsheriff.com.
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