"Child-proof" your home by taking the following precautions:

• Store drugs and medications in a locked cabinet out of your child's reach.
• Buy medication in child-proof containers. Discard medications when the illness is over.
• Do not coax a child to take medication by calling it "candy."
• Store hazardous products and cleaning supplies in locked cabinets.
• Keep products in their original containers.
• Re-arrange indoor plants to keep them out of reach.

Help protect your older child by taking the following precautions:

• Teach your child to stop, drop and roll if clothing catches on fire.
• Teach your child his name, address and telephone number, including area code, by 5 years of age.
• Teach your child to use the telephone to call home or 0 or 911 (available in some areas) for an operator in an emergency. Practice with your child so he knows what to tell the operator.
• Teach your child to play in a safe place - away from traffic and never near parked cars.
• Do not place your child's name or other identification on the outside of book bags, lunch boxes, clothing, bikes or jewelry, where it is visible to strangers.
• Be sure your child knows what to do in case you become separated while shopping or visiting. You can prearrange a meeting place or teach your child to go to the nearest clerk and ask for help.
• Teach your child that a stranger is someone neither of you knows. A bad stranger is someone who asks a child to go with him or offers candy or presents or asks your child to keep a secret.
• Teach your child never to accept a ride from a stranger.
• Teach your child that he has the right to say, "No." He does not have to obey adults when someone makes him feel uncomfortable. Teach him never to let anyone touch him when the touching makes him feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
• Choose a secret word or signal with your child. If you must send an unfamiliar adult to pick up your child at school or day care, for example, he will know by the use of that secret word or signal that it is all right. Let the school or day care center know, in writing, who may pick up your child.
• Teach your child to scream if he feels he is in danger.
• If someone is following your child, teach him to go where there are people who will help him and not to go to a deserted area.
• Teach your child to ask permission to leave your yard or play area.
• Check with a local law officer or other appropriate community people about having your child fingerprinted and photographed. Keep the fingerprints and photographs in a safe place and update photos every six months.