Keeping your teens safe in Philadelphia is very important. These tips will help parents to feel better about what is going on. Teenagers want their independence but that has to be balanced with safety.

1 Always know where your child is – They should be able to check in with you periodically to make sure they are safe. Most teens these days have a cell phone so keeping that line of communication open is easy.

2 – Buddy system – You should always know who your child is with at all times. Your teen needs to follow the buddy system so that they are never out there by themselves.Additional information can be found at http://www.connectwithyourteens.net/2011/04/teen-talk-explained-by-teenager.html.

3 No questions asked – Establish a policy with your teen that if they need you to pick them up or help out of a situation you will be there. Let them know that it will be a no questions asked situation. That way they feel secure contacting you for anything they need without fear of being in trouble for it.

4 – Keep them involved – Schools have plenty of activities including clubs and sports. Make sure your teen selects a couple of things that they are really interested in to keep them busy. Teens that are involved with school and the community are less likely to get into trouble with the use of alcohol, drugs, or the legal system.