Part 2: Back to School Safety Tips for Families

Editor's Note: This is Part 2 of a two-part series of tips offered by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. to view the first set of tips.

As the summer dwindles down, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offers the following safety tips for parents to discuss with their youngsters before they head back to school: 

• Adults should establish "safe houses" where kids feel comfortable in knocking on their door at any time a situation warrants it. Be sure to get approval from the neighbors/ homeowners first before designating a home as a "safe house." If possible, have a neighborhood safety tip meeting and have residents agree to watch after one another. 
• Parents should be cautious about blatant use of a child's name on a back pack or jacket. Kids sometimes believe that a person can't be a stranger if they know them by name, when the reality is that their name was easily readable on their attire or the individual heard a youngster's name mentioned. 
• Adults should understand that boys are at just as greatest of risk as girls. It is a common safety tip misconception that child molesters or perpetrators are typically men and seek only girls. Molesters come in all ages and both genders, and their victims can be of either sex. 
• Parents should begin reinforcing these safety tips as soon as a kid is old enough to understand, and above all, ensure that their child feels comfortable enough in discussing these issues, their concerns or fears, or any potentially inappropriate events that have possibly transpired. Awareness of these safety tips can help kids be less susceptible to any stranger dangers. 

For more information about safety tips contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

For more detailed information pertaining to the Cerritos and Artesia area, Cerritos residents should contact the  and Artesia residents should contact the Lakewood Sheriff's Station.