Informational Materials
Be prepared with an Autism & Safety Kit
CARD-USF's Autism and Safety Kit is designed to provide individuals with ASD and their families with tips, information, advice, and resources to help those living with ASD stay out of harm's way.
What is in the kit? Kit contents list.
How do I use the Safety Kit? CARD Safety Kit Guide.
You may be eligible for a CARD-USF Safety Kit if you…
- Live within the CARD-USF service area
- Have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder with supporting documentation
- Have safety concerns around water, elopement, fire, and/or poisoning – the kit includes items that address those safety areas
- Need assistance from CARD Staff to teach safety skills
Call 813-974-2532, or toll-free 1-800-333-4530 to get your kit.
General Safety
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NEW! Autism & Safety-Top Safety Tips Your safety strategy begins with these 12 Safety Tips and a call to CARD-USF! 813-974-2532 |
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This social experience story can be used to help a child know what to expect when going outdoors and have fun. |
Wandering Prevention
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Getting my SafetyNet Bracelet Video (Ages 2-7) This social experience story describes having a SafetyNet bracelet put on. The story will provide different strategies for making the bracelet enticing to wear and keeping it on your child. |
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Getting my SafetyNet Bracelet Social Experience Story (Ages 8+) This social experience story describes having a SafetyNet bracelet put on. The story will provide information about the function of the bracelet and the importance of keeping it on at all times. |
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What Happens if I Get Lost (Ages 2-7) This social experience story describes getting lost and what strategies children can use to become found again. The video outlines the process that the Sheriff’s office will use to find them. |
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Staying Safe (Ages 2-7) This social experience story provides rules and strategies to prevent children from wandering and eloping. The story refers to the adult taking care of your child. Talk to your child about who his or her safe adults are. You can modify the story by inserting the name of the specific adult caring for your child.. |
Water Safety
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New brochure on Autism Spectrum Disorder & Water Safety A guide for caregivers and water safety professionals to meet the needs of individuals with ASD |
Emergency Management
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MediPal® Seatbelt ID, Medical Alert In a vehicle emergency, it is important for first responders to know about your child’s medical needs. Use the MediPal® Seatbelt ID and information insert to keep your child’s important medical information readily available on their seatbelt or car seat strap. Download and fill out the information insert. Limited quantities of the Medipal Seatbelt ID are available through CARD-USF. For information about ordering, please email Adrian Ruiz Available while supplies last. |
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Tips for Law Enforcement agents when interacting with persons with autism. |
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This basic fact sheet is geared for first responders to emergency situations that may involve an individual diagnosed with autism. It provides helpful tips on best ways to interact while keeping the situation safe and calm. |
Useful Links
This page includes links to both internal (CARD) and external (non-CARD) websites. External links are selected and reviewed when the page is published. However, the CARD is not responsible for the content of external websites. The CARD website does not accept submissions or requests.
General Safety
Autism Society of America – Safety in the Home
The Autism Society compiled home safety tips and modification ideas for families who have children on the autism spectrum in order to keep your family safe.
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) launched the Zero Tolerance Initiative to tackle the abuse of individuals with developmental disabilities. Their website has more information on their objectives and present efforts.
Autism Speaks and the Autism Safety Project is designed to provide families affected by autism with tips, information, expert advice and resources so that everyone in our community can stay out of harm’s way.
The Florida Department of Transportation
The Florida Department of Transportation offers information concerning travel safety to the general public. They also periodically post current news and maps to ensure everyone is informed.
The Pediatric Associates Foundation
The Pediatric Associates Foundation provides a resource center on their site with information about a variety of topics such as child safety, drowning prevention, and travel protection, along with related videos and articles.
The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida offers resources on their site about healthy child development and safety information. They also have free materials on water safety, as well as general safety materials for purchase.
The Medication Safety Checklist
The Medication Safety Checklist from Sun Coast Safe Kids includes tips for parents on safe administration of medications for various age groups. The checklist also has a link for OTC medication information and contacts for the Poison Help line.
The Sun Coast Safe Kids Home Safety Checklist
The Sun Coast Safe Kids Home Safety Checklist provides a room-by-room breakdown of safety information for parents.
National Autism Association – Autism Safety Site
The National Autism Association (NAA) provides information and resources in the areas of ASD wandering, restraint & seclusion, bullying, and suicide prevention.
Emergency Management
Autism Risk & Safety Management
Autism training and resources for law enforcement, emergency first responders, parents, educators, care providers, and the autism community.
Poison Center of Tampa gives information and medical advice on poison-related issues. They also have expert information on various topics, as well as contact information for health providers.
National Autism Association: Big Red Safety Toolkit: A digital resource for first responders
The National Autism Association (NAA) created a toolkit for first responders. It gives an overview of autism and discusses the unique safety risks for individuals who have autism. The toolkit provides resources and strategies to use including search and rescue guidelines when the missing person has special needs.
Water Safety
Water Awareness in Residential Neighborhoods: Autism and Water Safety
Water Awareness in Residential Neighborhoods (WARN) is an awareness program that local safety organization can utilize to educate their residents about drowning dangers.
Autism Digest – Water Safety: The Ultimate Life Skill
The Autism Digest article Water Safety: The Ultimate Life Skill is about teaching water safety and swimming to children who have an autism spectrum disorder.
Water Awareness in Residential Neighborhoods: Autism and Water Safety
Water Awareness in Residential Neighborhoods (WARN) is an awareness program that local safety organization can utilize to educate their residents about drowning dangers.
Pool Safely provides resources and materials meant to educate people about water safety. Their site provides information to both parents and children in order to reduce child drowning.
The Sun Coast Safe Kids Pool Safety Checklist
The Sun Coast Safe Kids Pool Safety Checklist gives parents tips about water safety.
The Sun Coast Safe Kids Water Safety Infographic
The Sun Coast Safe Kids Water Safety Infographic provides statistical information about kids and water safety. It addresses common misconceptions and offers solutions to decrease child drowning.
Wandering Prevention
WebMD - 10 Ways to Prevent Wandering (Autism, Down Syndrome, and Dementia)
The WebMD article, Caring for Someone With a Brain Disorder or Injury: Autism, Down Syndrome, & Dementia provides tips for caregivers to help keep their loved ones safe.
Project Lifesaver strives to provide a timely response to those in need. Their website provides more information about how they aid loved ones who are most prone to wandering.
Safety Net Tracking Systems sells products to protect those at risk of wandering and becoming lost. Their website also offers information for caregivers about how their technology works and participating agencies.
Cyber & Social Media Safety
Project Child Safe is a free voluntary program designed by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office to create a digital footprint for those ages 5-25 whose disabilities affect their communication skills. Their digital footprint is then accessible to law enforcement and increases their ability to respond.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Computer Monitoring Software, or ComputerCop, is a free resource for parents to monitor their children’s computer activity.
Safety Programs
Safety Programs
Wandering away from home, school or in the community can be dangerous for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. SafetyNet™ Tracking Systems and Project Lifesaver are resources to help locate individuals who have wandered and may become lost. The best outcome is to prevent unsafe wandering whenever possible. CARD-USF is available to provide consultation with families to prevent unsafe wandering.
If you would like to enroll in SafetyNet™ Tracking Systems, Project Lifesaver, or the program offered in your region, please contact the law enforcement lead in your city/county for more information. If would like to volunteer, provide financial support or learn more about bringing a program to your community, please contact the organization serving your area. Check with your local organization for enrollment requirements and fees.
Cape Coral Police Department
1100 Cultural Park Boulevard
Cape Coral, FL 33990
Attn: Project Lifesaver Program
Contact: Patricia Lucas, Community Outreach Coordinator
Phone: (239) 574-0653
Email: plucas@capecoral.net
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
7474 Utilities Rd
Punta Gorda, FL 33982
Attn: Project Lifesaver Program
Contact: Tammy Wilkie, PL Coordinator
Phone: (941) 833-1824
Email: crimeprevention@ccso.org
Red Dot Medical Information Program
Contact: Dee Hawkins-Garland, Public Relations/Education Coordinator
Email: dee.hawkins@charlottefl.com
Phone: 941-833-5610
