On the morning of Oct. 3, a young Westport student who was waiting for her school bus was approached by a man who offered to show her a “cute puppy” in the back of his car.  After being asked the second time, she ran home and told her parents who then notified the police.

Such incidents bring up for the roughly 5,000 students who attend Westport’s nine public schools the important issue on how to stay safe at public places such as bus stops and what to do in this type of situation.

Colleen Banick, a vice-principal at Bedford, offered important tips. She said to always stay in contact with whoever is taking care of you, check in when going from one place to another, always carry around a cellphone or something to contact someone with in times of need, and always know someone in the general area in case of emergency.

One of the most important things Ms Banick expressed during the interview: “Always stay aware of your surroundings.”