08/23/2025
BURKE COUNTY SHERIFF OFFERS SAFETY REMINDERS FOR THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON
Sheriff Banks Hinceman of Burke County hopes this school year gets off to a great start! To help our county’s students stay safe this year, Sheriff Hinceman offers some practical safety tips that parents can share with their kids before they head back to school.
“I know many students are sad their summer vacation is coming to an end, but it’s time to hit the books again for the school year! To help keep your kids safe as the school year begins, please take some time to go over these safety reminders with your kids,” said Sheriff Hinceman. “Teaching children in our community about the potential dangers they may face will empower them with the knowledge they need to keep themselves and their peers safe.”
Sheriff Hinceman also suggests that parents check the location sharing settings on their children’s electronic devices before sending them off to school to make sure that their location is not being shared with any unwanted applications or individuals. “This is also a great time to remind students of the dangers of sharing personal information on social media. It is important to teach young people that sharing certain information, especially their location, may put them and their classmates at risk,” Sheriff Hinceman added.
Sheriff Hinceman hopes that kids and parents can use the following safety tips to avoid potentially dangerous situations:
• Do not talk to strangers! A stranger is anyone that you or your parents do not know well. If a stranger has approached you, tell a trusted adult about what happened.
• When walking to and from school, always stay with a friend. Two minds are better than one, especially if there is an emergency.
• If you think you are in danger, yell for help and run to the nearest business, school, crossing guard, or law enforcement officer.
• Try establishing a family “code word.” If a stranger claims to know your family but does not know the code word, do not go with them.
• Strangers may use a variety of tricky tactics to get you to come with them, such as:
o Asking to show you something,
o Asking for help finding a missing pet or person, or
o Telling you that a family member is hurt and offering to take you to them.
If you do not know the person (and they do not know your family code word), absolutely do not go with them!
• Never take things like candy or medicine from a stranger. It could contain potentially dangerous substances that can harm you.
• Don’t wear headphones or earbuds while walking so you can hear your surroundings and know if someone is approaching you.
Taking the time to educate children about these situations can help ensure their safety throughout the school year and into the future!
Sheriff Hinceman wishes all of Burke County’s students a safe and successful school year.
