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Back to School Safety As we all know, it is that time of year again when the children are heading back to school. One of the concerns raised every Fall, is the safety of those children who walk or ride their bike to school. In an effort to make the trip to school and home everyday as safe as possible, the Jupiter Police Department would like to offer a few safety suggestions: 1. Instruct your child to always take a friend when walking or riding his or her bike to school. It's safer and more fun to be with friends. Make sure your child understands the importance of walking the same route everyday and not to take short cuts. You should also review walking and bicycle safety rules with your child at the beginning of each school year. 2. Instruct your child to NEVER accept a ride from anybody. Make sure you have a special code word in place for adults to use when they are sent by you to pick up your children. 3. Tell your child that if they believe they are being followed by someone to turn around and walk back in the opposite direction. If the person continues to follow them, they should walk to a trusted adult or to an open business. Tell them to then call the police or you right away. Make sure they know that 9-1-1 is free to call from a pay phone if they cannot find a safe place. 4. Children should be taught to never leave school with any adult they do not know. Tell them to remember the code word you both decide on. 5. Make sure your child is not afraid to tell a teacher or other trusted adult at school if they see or hear about anything suspicious at or around school. Many times children talk about suspicious individuals among themselves long before an adult is made aware of it. By following these simple rules, and the rules of the road, the trip to school for the many children that walk or ride their bike will be much safer. If you have any questions, please contact the Jupiter Police Department Community Activities Unit at 746-6201. Copyright © Jupiter Police Department. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.