1. You are walking the children to the corner store to get an ice cream and a stranger in a car stops and asks you for directions. Should you:

a) Lean through the car window and offer clear directions?

b) Step well back from the curb, with the children in hand, and answer the stranger in a very brief but courteous manner?

c) Take the children and run?

 2. Your employer has asked you to pick up the children from their skating lessons and bring them home for dinner by 6:00 p.m.. The children were not dismissed from class until 6:15 p.m. and you still have a 15 minute walk to your employer's home. Is it best for you to:

a) Hurry home with the kids and hope that your employer will not worry?

b) Take a short cut through the park even though it is after dark?

c) Find the nearest pay phone to let your employer know that you and the children will be a bit late?

 3. Your radar is:

a) A compass-like device which points you in the right direction?

b) A little voice or feeling inside you that says: "I do not like this. Something is wrong"

c) Extraterrestrial powers.

 4. You have been asked to walk the children home from school every Wednesday at 4:00. On one particular Wednesday, you sense that someone is following close behind you and the kids. Is it best to:

a) Go to the nearest store or Block Parent house?

b) Turn around and confront the stranger?

c) Make a run for it?

 5. When your employer asks you to care for their children, what is the most essential thing that they can leave for you when they go out:

a) Bedtime instructions?

b) Great snacks and a T.V. Guide?

c) Their phone number, other emergency phone numbers and the location of Health cards?

6. You are in the neighbourhood park playing catch with the children when a young man approaches, holding an irresistible puppy. He asks if you and the children would like to see the rest of the litter in his car. Do you:

a) Follow the man to his car to see the other cute puppies?

b) Politely decline the offer and quickly take the children home on their usual busy route?

c) Scream "Help! Police!"

7. Your employer offers to drive you home after you have baby-sat for his children. On the way home, he leans over and touches your arm in a way that leaves you feeling uncomfortable. Should you:

a) Discuss your discomfort with your mother, your father or any adult you really trust?

b) Ignore his gesture and pretend it never happened?

c) Confront him directly about your discomfort?

8. When you are babysitting, you get a phone call from Johnny's teacher saying that Johnny must return to school to pick up the homework he missed that afternoon. Do you:

a) Send Johnny back to school to pick it up?

b) Leave Johnny at home and go and pick it up yourself?

c) Tell the teacher that as soon as Johnny's parents are available someone will come by and pick it up?

9. Finish this sentence. "Crimes against children...":

a) Are generally committed by a stranger.

b) Most often involve someone the child knows.

c) Do not happen very often.

10. Children's safety is the responsibility of:

a) Parents

b) Teachers

c) Parents , Teachers, Friends, Babysitters, Community Members and Children themselves.

Correct Answers

1-b; 2-c; 3-b; 4-a; 5-c; 6-b; 7-a; 8-c; 9-b; 10-c

If you have answered most of the questions correctly, then congratulations. You have passed our general test on the subject of streetproofing. If you did not do well continue reading the rest of the Stay Alert...Stay safe Tips that are coming up and then try the test again.

Hopefully, the most important lesson you have learned is that you must never take any situation for granted; after all, people are not always what they seem. When taking care of young children, it is important to turn up your radar. And keep it turned up. That way you will be sure to stay alert....and stay safe.

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