Appropriate age group:
Middle School
High School & Beyond

Description:
Your teenager needs special attention when summer is here. He or she will want to be out and about with all of his or her friends. Your job will be to ensure that your teenager is respectful to the family rules, e.g. adhering to a curfew, communicating where he or she is going and with whom. Keep communication open with your teenager and create an environment where you trust one another. Have discussions about appropriate behavior away from home, e.g. when out in public (especially in a group), be respectful and conscious of his or her surroundings. Help your teenager to make good choices on the clothes he or she plans to wear when leaving the house. Unfortunately, many unhealthy people are roaming the streets and your teenager does not need to stand out by looking too provocative or rough looking. This can attract the wrong kind of people to him or her.

With the recent rise in random acts of violence found in crowded situations, teenagers should have some standard rules in place for protection if they ever find themselves in an uncomfortable situation. Remind your teenager to always stick with friends. Security can come in numbers. Look for police or some shelter if need be. Your teenager should have local places in the neighborhood that can be used as protection if he or she feels unsafe. At a concert or large outdoor event, have your teenager find a space within the crowd that is calm and not behaving unruly.

Teach your teenager to be sensible and to know to move away from any situation that feels uncomfortable. Walking with a sense of confidence and strength can give your teenager an extra layer of protection. Discuss how some dangerous people are searching for vulnerable looking individuals as ôtargetsö to attack.

Encourage your teenager to always be aware of his or her surroundings and to not lose that sense of awareness when out with friends. The goal is not to instill fear; it is to ensure safety and well being. A safer summer equals a better time to be had by all.