Safety Tips For Your School-Age Children

Aug. 21 -- As school starts, children get butterflies in their stomachs about what lies ahead in the hallways, while their parents fret about their children's safety, particularly if the kids will be home alone.

ABCNEWS' Senior Legal Correspondent Cynthia McFadden is leading a Court TV special tonight aimed at addressing these safety issues, and providing tips for parents. The main theme is to teach children what to do before they are in a dangerous situation.

Here are some of the Court TV tips:

Even children who are too young to be home alone should learn some safety basics. Teach children who are 3 and older their telephone number, home address and how to dial 911.

Instruct children to keep doors locked at all times, and never open the door when they are home alone.

Tell children that they should never give out personal information over the phone, or volunteer family schedules or whereabouts to callers they do not know.

Encourage children to use a buddy system and stick together with friends. Teach them to be alert and aware of their surroundings, but assure them that they do not have to be frightened.

Tell children to be cautious, not fearful of strangers. Instruct children to never approach the car of someone asking for directions, or agree to help an adult search for something. If they sense trouble from a stranger, instruct them to ignore that person, or run to the nearest public place for help.

Teach your children that if they fear they are being followed, they should cross the street, run to the nearest well-lit populated area, or pretend to see a friend and wave or call out to that person.

Teach your children the difference between appropriate touching and touching that makes them feel scared or uncomfortable. Tell them that they should talk to you if anyone — a family friend, neighbor, baby sitter or relative — tried to touch the private parts of their body.

Play "what if" games with your children to see how they would respond to dangerous situations.

The Court TV/Ladies Home Journal Safety Challenge: Back To School airs Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 10 p.m. ET on Court TV.