In light of the attempted kidnapping in Cider Mill, it is vitally important to make sure you know what to do if you find yourself in a similar situation.

As teens, preventing a kidnapping is all our responsibility; long gone are the days of holding mommy’s hand on the way to the bus stop, and staying where mom can see you to make sure you’re safe. Watkins Mill’s School Resource Officer George Hyson urges students to take out headphones, because “many are noise cancelling so you can’t hear if something or someone is coming up behind you.”

Hyson also recommends that students be vigilant on their way to school, which means not “looking down at your cellphone,” Hyson said, “because your attention is focused downward, not forward, limiting your peripheral vision to your right or left.”

Security team leader Lakiesha Lowery recommends walking with a group to school, and traveling in twos and threes. Going with a group “makes sure you have someone there who can get help if needed,” Lowery said. Lowery also wants all students to remember that you can’t really anticipate a situation like this.

“We got people out there with loose screws, the best you can do is always be vigilant,” Lowery said. However, if you ever do find yourself in this situation, “scream, bite, fight, do what you have to do to get away,” Lowery added. “[And] call the police as soon as you get away.”

We are now in charge of our own safety, so we have to make sure we take it as seriously as our parents did. Don’t take candy from strangers, look up and out, make a scene to get other people’s attention, DO NOT hitchhike to school, get to a populated place if you are being followed, and if you are grabbed, shed your outer layers (backpack, jacket, etc).

Be safe out there.