| If you are the parent of a teen, you need to | | | | Whether you have a teenage son or a daughter, |
| take the time to consider ways to keep your | | | | you must make them realize that they are in |
| teenager safe. Teens like to go off on their own, | | | | control over their situation. Your children must |
| and may get into dangerous situations without | | | | know that there are resources for help, and that |
| realizing it. Though you may assume that your | | | | they can call you any time of the day or night if |
| teenager is too young to be facing these kinds of | | | | they need a safe ride home. Getting out of |
| issues, the fact is that teens are vulnerable to | | | | dangerous situations as soon as your teen realizes |
| many different kinds of attacks, from dating | | | | they are in one is the key to keeping them safe |
| violence to school bullies to muggings or even | | | | throughout the teen years. |
| rape. Many teens are unaware of these types of | | | | Setting standards for teens can help keep them |
| situations, and may go out partying, walk around | | | | away from danger. Though these aren't always |
| with expensive clothing, cell phones, and iPods, or | | | | possible, it is your job as the parent to set |
| be altogether too trusting of people they have | | | | curfews or other restrictions on your child's |
| only just met. | | | | activities. Trust them, but always verify the |
| What can you do to keep your teen safe? First, | | | | details. Make your teenager's safety your top |
| have a frank conversation to make sure that | | | | priority rather than bending the rules to let them |
| your teen is aware of the possibilities. Though this | | | | do anything they want at any time. |
| conversation may be difficult, and you probably | | | | What can your teen do when faced with real-life |
| don't want to think about these possibilities | | | | situations ranging from date rape to a stranger |
| yourself, it is a necessary step in preparing your | | | | approaching them in the mall parking lot? |
| teen to face reality. Many teens may not know | | | | Teenagers are old enough to be armed not only |
| how to recognize potential dangers, such as | | | | with a cell phone, but also with a personal alarm |
| someone who is following them or a new friend | | | | and a small canister of pepper spray. These three |
| who doesn't have the best intentions. Peer | | | | devices can get your teen out of nearly any |
| pressure often makes teens place themselves in | | | | sticky situation without harm. To keep your teen |
| potentially dangerous situations. | | | | safe, make them aware of the types of |
| Many teenagers naively believe that they are | | | | situations that should be avoided, and teach them |
| invincible and don't have to watch out for bad | | | | what to do if they do encounter danger. These |
| people. They must be aware of their surroundings | | | | solutions can include using their cell phone to call |
| at all times and be cautious, especially when | | | | you or the police, activating a personal alarm so |
| around new people. Remind them that not | | | | that others may come to their aid, or using |
| everyone they meet can be trusted, and violence | | | | pepper spray in the face of an attacker. |
| can happen to anyone, at any time. | | | | |