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That’s Rule #3: Travel safely.


• Is it safe to walk to a friend’s house that is just down the block from your house? (Yes.) Yes, it’s okay to walk short distances in daylight. If you’re walking after dark, make sure you walk only in well-lit areas and that you walk with a friend, sibling, or safe adult.


• What about taking a city bus? [Feel free to substitute subway, train, or other public transportation that is common in your area.] It’s okay to take public transportation, like a city bus or subway, if you are experienced and your parent approves.


[Please note: some students may ask about Uber, Lyft, or other ride services. It is the position of Safe Sitter, Inc. that each student’s parent must make the determination about whether a particular ride service is an appropriate and safe method of transportation for their child.]


Sometimes, you need to let your parent or back-up adult know to come get you, but you can’t explain why at that time. Remember when we talked about staying away from a person that makes you uncomfortable? When that happens, you should use a safety signal, and that brings us to Rule #4.


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Rule #4: Call your parent or a back-up adult to come get you if you are in an unsafe situation. Use the Safety Signal: “I’m ready to be picked up now.”


The Safety Signal is a secret code for “Please come get me immediately. I’ll explain later.” Share this Safety Signal with your parent right after class so that you can use this Safety Signal to alert your parent when you need to be picked up because you don’t feel safe.


• What does it mean to be in an unsafe situation? (Any situation where you think you might be harmed.)


• Who could be a back-up adult? (A neighbor, a friend’s parent, or another safe adult that is close by and able to help.) [Students may name a relative or teacher as well, and these are also acceptable answers.]


Do you ever get a bad feeling inside when someone is making you feel uncomfortable, but it’s hard to explain why? (Yes.) You might say you have a sick feeling in your stomach, or you might call it a creepy feeling. Grownups might call it a “gut” feeling or “instinct.” Whatever you call it, it’s very important that you trust that feeling. Your body knows when something is wrong, and your body uses that creepy feeling or sick feeling in your stomach to tell you that something is wrong. If you get that feeling, get away from that person if possible, and call or text your parent right away and tell them “I’m ready to be picked up now.”


Let’s practice saying our Safety Signal. [On the count of three, have students recite “I’m ready to be picked up now” together.]


Would you use the Safety Signal if…


• You are at a sleepover, and there is someone there that scares you or gives you an uncomfortable feeling? (Yes.)


• You are at a relative’s house, an older cousin tries to get you in a room alone, and you have a feeling something bad is going to happen? (Yes.)


• You are at a friend’s house, and your friend’s older brother is making you feel uncomfortable by the way he is talking to you? (Yes.)


Anytime your body is telling you that something is wrong, that you are in danger, or that you need to get away from someone, use your Safety Signal to call or text your parent or other safe adult.


SAFE SITTER® SAFE@HOME FACILITATOR GUIDE | PAGE 7


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