Online safety for children

Some final tips for parents and children for online safety. This information is taken directly from the National Crime Prevention Council website.

Tips for Socializing Safely

· Think about how different sites work before deciding to join a site.

· Keep some control over the information you post.

· Keep vital information to yourself.

· Make sure your screen name doesn't reveal too much about you.

· Post only information that you are comfortable with others seeing and knowing about you.

· Remember, once your information is posted, you can't take it back. Someone can forward this information and millions of people have access.

· Consider not posting your picture.

· Don't flirt with strangers online.

Tips for Parents

· Use the Internet with your children.

· Teach our children never to give out personal information.

· Instruct your child never to plan a face-to-face meeting with online acquaintances.

· Establish clear ground rules for Internet use within your family.

· Tell your children not to respond if they receive offensive or dangerous email, chat requests, o other types of communication and to tell you when this occurs.

· Place your computer in a room that's open and accessible to all family members (not in your child's room).

· Consider installing software filters that prevent your child from entering inappropriate websites.

· Consider installing monitoring software that prevents your child from entering personal information.

Tips for Youth

· Remember, your profile is on a public space.

· People aren't always who they say they are.

· Harassment, hate speech, and inappropriate content should be reported. Tell your parents or an adult if this happens.

· Don't mislead people into thinking that you're older or younger than you really are.

· Don't post anything that would embarrass you later.

· Always follow your family's rules for using the Internet.

· Don't open up emails, files, or web pages that you get from people you don't really know or trust.

· Don't ever do anything that could cost your family money unless your parents are there to help you do it.

· Don't ever give out your password.

If feel that you are a victim from Internet crime contact the Sheriff's Office immediately. We can and will help you remedy the situation.

Lake and River Accidents

With the onset of warm weather and holidays, the Sheriff's Office is prepared to respond to accidental drowning or boat accidents on Lake Chatuge or on the Hiawassee River. If the past is indicative of the future we will have to respond to one or more of these types of incidents this year. Also included in this type of calls are pond and swimming pool accidents.

These types of calls are the most serious and fatal types of calls that the Sheriff's Officeresponds to. O ften on the lake, alcohol is involved in fatal accidents. A retrospective study of 1,052 unintentional drowning deaths in North Carolina during the period from 1980 through 1984 was carried out, with emphasis on the victims' activity and alcohol consumption in such deaths. T he overall drowning rate for North Carolina residents during the period covered by the study was 3.2 per 100,000 persons. M ales had the highest rate, 6.7 per 100,000 populations. S wimming and wading was most frequently associated in 41 percent of the drowning deaths. Fishing accidents accounted for 15 percent, while motor vehicle accidents 8 percent of fatalities. M ost accidents occurred in freshwater settings, notably lakes and ponds. However 29 percent occurred in rivers and creeks. O f the 752 victims 15 years and older tested for blood alcohol, 53 percent had positive tests and 38 percent had blood alcohol concentrations above the legal limit. This was significantin all settings and activity groups.

The Sheriff's Officeurges all citizens to be careful when on the water and to follow all regulations concerning alcohol consumption and life vest requirements so that this may be the safest year for our residents and that no lives are lost and everyone may enjoy our lakes and rivers.