THE BOOK OPENS WITH A STORY ABOUT THE FATE OF A BOY WHO IGNORED A POLICE OFFICER'S WARNING NOT TO HITCHHIKE. OTHER CHAPTERS EXPLAIN HOW TO PROTECT BELONGINGS AT HOME, WHAT A CHILD SHOULD DO WHEN ALONE AT HOME OR BABYSITTING, AND HOW TO HANDLE ANNOYING TELEPHONE CALLS. PRECAUTIONS THAT CAN BE TAKEN TO PROTECT THE HOME WHEN THE FAMILY IS AWAY ARE NOTED. THE BOOK ALSO DISCUSSES WAYS OF AVOIDING OR DEALING WITH SCHOOL CRIME (BURGLARY, PERSONAL THEFT, ASSAULT), WAYS OF GUARDING AGAINST CRIME (MOLESTATION, KIDNAPING, THEFT) WHILE AT PLAY, AND PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHILE VACATIONING. READERS ARE ADVISE NOT TO HITCHHIKE, BUT WAYS OF AVOIDING DANGER WHEN HITCHHIKING ARE ALSO DESCRIBED. THE DANGERS OF RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME ARE POINTED OUT, AND READERS ARE ADVISED TO TRY TO WORK OUT THEIR PROBLEMS WITHOUT RUNNING AWAY. SOURCES OF HELP -- HOTLINES, MINISTERS, TEACHERS -- ARE SUGGESTED. DRAWINGS ILLUSTRATE THE TEXT. (LKM)