By working with families, educators,
law enforcement agencies, and other
youth organizations, Girl Scout councils have helped educate their communities to the child safety issues highlighted by the tragic events recently reported in the media.

Girl Scouts of the USA provides the following safety tips to assist in these
efforts that ensure the safety of Every Girl, Everywhere.

NOTE: While the following tips and precautionary behaviors will help protect a girl from stranger abduction, most abuse is caused by someone a girl knows. When a leader suspects child abuse is occurring, she should contact Children’s Protective Service at 713-626-5701 and then contact GSSJC Vice President of Membership Carolyn Johnson at 713-292-0267.

Safety Tips Adapted from Girl Scout Program Resources for Adults
Working with Groups in Public

Review the age-level specific personal
safety tips previously mentioned and adjust to your girls’ specific needs and abilities.

Lead by example. For example; let girls know where you’re going and how long you’ll be gone, keep the buddy system with your adults as well, and count your adults as well as your girls.

Always have another adult present and use the buddy system with the girls. Conduct head counts every 15 minutes or so in crowded areas.

Have a plan.

Have a meeting place if someone is separated.

Have a secret code word known only to
you and the girls. The password will let
the girls know which adults they can trust
when you’re not there.

Have contact information and current photos for each girl and adult in the group.

Know where you’re going and let someone
back home know too.

Be aware of surroundings. Is someone
hanging around who shouldn’t be?

Be aware of what each person in your
group is wearing in order to help search
for a girl who gets lost.

Personal Safety Tips Adapted
from Girl Scout Program Resources for Girls 10-Years-Old and Under

Always tell an adult where you are going
and what time you will be home.

Always walk with a buddy or in groups.

Walk where it is well-lit and don’t take
shortcuts. Stay away from deserted areas
like rooftops, basements, construction
sites, alleys, abandoned buildings, vacant
lots, train yards, dead-end streets, or quarries.

Don’t ride on bike trails or hike on nature
trails alone. If you go to a park, stay near
other people and leave before dark or
before the park closes.

If someone tries to force you to go with
her/him, shout out as loudly as you can,
even if you don’t see anyone nearby.
Scream “Help! This person is not my parent” or “I don’t know this person!” or “Fire!” or “Emergency!” Try your hardest to get away. You can kick, bite, hit, and use your head to butt the person’s nose, whatever you can do to try to get away. Run as fast as you can to a place where there are people. At a mall, go to a salesperson or a security guard. On the street go to a police station, fire station, library, or any open public building.

Don’t talk to strangers and never give
strangers your name or any other personal
information.

Don’t ever believe a message that a
stranger gives you, like “Your father sent
me to pick you up from school” or “Your
mother got hurt in a car accident and I
was sent to get you.”

Never approach a car if a stranger stops
and asks you for directions or asks you
anything that means you have to get closer.

Know your contact information by heart.
Memorize your parents’ cell and work
phone numbers.

If anyone hurts you or makes you feel bad,
tell an adult you trust. If s/he can’t help
you, tell another adult.

Personal Safety Tips Adapted
from Girl Scout Program Resources for Girls 11-Years-Old or Older

Always tell someone where you are going
and when you’ll be back.

Always bring a buddy, especially if you’re
going somewhere you’ve never been
before.

Know your parents’ cell and work phone
numbers by heart.

If a stranger asks you for help, say no and
keep walking. Do not get closer to a vehicle
to look at a photo or show a spot on a
map. Don’t be afraid to seem rude by not
helping. People understand your need for
safety.

If you are being held against your will or
being forced into a car, scream “No” or
Get away from me.” Sometimes screaming
“Fire” works even better. React in a
physical way as soon as you can. Your
anger and aggression may surprise the
person and give you time to escape. Don’t
be afraid to hurt the person.

If you drive, park your car in a well-lit and
well-supervised parking lot. Check under
the car as you approach and check the
back seat before getting in. Lock the doors
once you are in and drive away as soon as
possible.

Keep your purse or wallet close and out of
sight when possible.

Walk with confidence and stay aware of
your surroundings. Criminals are looking
for unsuspecting victims, don’t be one.

Take a basic self-defense course. Even an
hour-long session can give you the tools
you need to keep safe.

If anyone hurts you or makes you feel bad,
tell an adult you trust. If s/he can’t help
you, tell another adult. Even if the one
hurting you is someone you know and
thought you could trust; they might need
help too. Keep asking for help until you
get the help you need.