Keeping myself safe
So you are getting prepared to head out on your own, but we need you to keep yourself safe. This is really important. We want you to head out and have a safe, successful and enjoyable journey, and return home safely.
The Do’s and Don’ts to keeping safe
✔️ Do be responsible. Prove to your parent/carers you can do this. They will be worrying about you heading out alone.
✔️ Do keep to well-lit paths and use road crossings.
✔️ Do be aware of your surroundings, having headphones playing may prevent you from hearing traffic.
✔️ Do give yourself plenty of time so there is no need to rush.
❌ Don’t behave any differently to what you would do if you were out with your parents/carers.
❌ Don’t take short cuts. Stick to your planned route.
❌ Don’t accept lifts from strangers. However inviting and helpful they may seem they are still strangers.
❌ Don’t cross between parked cars or before bends in roads.
Safe Places & People
If you are worried when you are out, go to a safe place and speak to a person in uniform such as a shop worker, or bus driver.
Route Planning
You can use Google Maps Street View to see what a path is like without having to leave home. You can look for footpaths, streetlights and crossings to help you decide if the route you want to take is safe. You drag with yellow Pegman to a place on the map. Find out more information at Google.com.
Remember to tell someone before you go out:
• Where are you going.
• What are you going to do.
• Who will you be with.
• When will you be home.
Police Personal Safety Tips
These Police websites have some tips to keep you safe and protected from crime.
Personal Safety Tips – True Vision
Personal safety: how to stay safe
The Green Cross Code
Remember the Green Cross Code? It will help keep you and others safe when crossing the road. Think, Stop, Look and Listen, Wait, Look and Listen again. Find out more here: Green cross code
Pedestrian Crossings
There are lots of crossings to help you cross a road, but do you know the differences? Check out Pedestrian Crossings in the UK – the Different Types Explained to help you identify which crossing you are using and how it works.
