As our summer months grow closer, the Bowen Island RCMP would like to remind children, youth and their parents to be mindful of their personal safety. The Bowen Island RCMP received a report recently that a child was approached by an unknown teenager. While the police have not been able to substantiate the incident, the investigation is ongoing.
Bowen Island is known to be a very safe community, but everyone still needs to remain vigilant as visitors and tourists arrive from the Lower Mainland and other parts of Canada.
Parents, this may be a good time to reinforce basic safety principles with your children in order to educate and prepare them for various scenarios when out in public or alone in the home. These safety tips can also be handy for you if you travel to other places as they’re transferable wherever you go.
For children:
Travel and play in groups, regardless of your age. The popular “buddy system” works best.
Know your home address and home phone number and how to contact your parents on their cell phones or at work.
Know how and when to call 9-1-1 in an emergency situation: at home, from a cell, and from a public telephone.
Be polite, but avoid long conversation with strangers. If someone you don’t know asks you a lot of personal questions, like where you live, DO NOT ANSWER, just run away.
Don’t be afraid to say NO to adults that are not known to you and ask you to do something for them, like find a lost pet, join them in an activity, or give them directions.
Establish a secret word or phrase for your family. This should be used in emergencies to identify a “safe person” other than their parent or child caregiver.
Do not wear headphones or use portable electronic devices that can distract you from your surroundings when you are walking in a neighbourhood unfamiliar to you.
For parents:
• Play “what if” games with younger children to reinforce these safety messages.
• Make sure that your address is prominently displayed on your driveway
• Familiarize your children with their surroundings and have a pre-planned meeting place.
Please report any suspicious activities or persons to the police. More information on personal safety can be found on our website at www.bc.rcmp.ca in a section at the bottom called “Protecting Yourself”.
