You can't tell who is a nice stranger and who is a dangerous
stranger.
Dangerous strangers can act nice.
Even strangers who know your name, family members' names, or
where you live are dangerous. This information is not hard for
strangers to find out.
Even strangers who look the same age as an older brother or
sister can be dangerous.
What are some dangerous situations? These are times you should run the other way and immediately find
a safe place or a safe adult:
Strangers who ask you for directions
Strangers who try to touch you
Strangers who show you a private body part
Strangers who ask you to help them find something they have
lost
Strangers who offer you gifts, money, or candy
Strangers who offer you a ride
Strangers who have pets or other neat things they want you to
come look at
Strangers who ask you to go somewhere with them
What is stranger safety?
It's always best to walk with someone else, even if the person
is younger or smaller than you are. Groups are even safer.
Know where your "safe spots" are. Safe spots are the houses of
people you know. Go to a safe spot if a stranger tries to get
close to you.
Stores, libraries, schools, police stations, and fire stations
are also safe places.
If a stranger comes toward you, immediately run the other
direction.
If a stranger asks you something, run the other way.
If a stranger is near and you don't feel safe, run away and
make as much noise as you can. Scream and yell and try to get
people's attention.
Run as soon as you can. Never wait around to see what the
stranger might do next.
Go to a safe spot right away and tell an adult about the
stranger.
Never take gifts, candy, or food from strangers.
Never walk toward a stranger, even if they want to show you
something.
Never follow a stranger, get in the car with a stranger, or
let a stranger take you somewhere.
What about answering the phone?
Young children should never be left home alone.
Some older children can be left home alone if they are
prepared, responsible, and know how to handle emergencies.
Teach your child not to answer the phone if he is home
alone.
Or, teach him how to answer the phone if he is home alone.
Never tell a caller you are home alone.
Say that your parents are busy and can't come to the
phone.
Never tell a caller your name, phone number, or
address.
If the caller asks for this information, hang up and call a
safe adult.
If a stranger calls twice, hang up and call a safe
adult.
If the caller teases you or says things that scare you,
hang up and call a safe adult.
What about answering the door?
Young children should never be left home alone.
Some older children can be left home alone if they are
prepared, responsible, and know how to handle emergencies.
Teach your child not to answer the door if he is home
alone.
Or, teach him how to answer the door if he is home alone.
If someone knocks, keep the door closed and locked.
Look through the window or peephole to see who is
there.
Never tell the visitor you are home alone.
Say that your parents are busy and can't come to the
door.
Talk to the visitor through the closed door. Don't open the
door. Keep it locked.
Never let a stranger in, even to use the bathroom or the
phone.
Don't let anyone in unless your parents said it was okay
for this person to come in. If you didn't talk about this
person, don't let them in even if you know them.
If the person says they came to deliver something or fix
something, say your parents are busy and take a message.
If the person will not go away or tries to get in, call
911.
How can we avoid problems with strangers?
Teach your child never to wander in the woods, alleys, or
isolated streets.
Teach your child to come home before it gets dark. Instead of
walking home after dark, children should call a safe adult.
Be on time to pick your child up. Call an adult if you will be
late so they can supervise your child while he waits.
Teach your child not to help strangers. If a stranger needs
help, your child should find a safe adult and tell them.
Teach your child his address and home phone number and a
back-up number, like a grandparent. If the child is ever in
trouble or needs a ride, he can call.
Teach your child to tell a parent, teacher, or other trusted
adult if a stranger ever asks him to keep a "secret."
Teach your child to tell an employee if he is lost (at an
amusement park, at the mall, etc.).
Teach your child these safety tips in a matter of fact way. Do
not scare him.
Ask your doctor for more safety tips.
Quick Answers
Children should treat all strangers as if they are
dangerous.
Teach children to run away from strangers who offer a ride,
candy, gifts, or who ask for directions. Never go anywhere with a
stranger.
Teach your child stranger safety. If a stranger ever tries to
come toward him or talk to him, he should run in the other
direction and tell a safe adult.
Teach your child how to answer the phone or door if he is home
alone.
Children should never tell a stranger they are home alone.
They should call a safe adult right away if a stranger at the door
or on the phone won't leave them alone or is scaring them.
Teach your child not to help strangers. If a stranger needs
help, your child should find a safe adult and tell them.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics. The Pediatrician's Role in the
Prevention of Missing Children. 1992 January (cited 2002 April 2).
URL:
http://www.medem.com/search/article_display.cfm?path=n:&mstr=/ZZZG321Y0CC.shtml&soc=AAP&srch_typ=NAV_SERCH
Rutherford K. Do You Know How to be Street Smart? KidsHealth.
2001 November (cited 2002 April 2). URL:
http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/watch/out/street_smart.html
University of Missouri. Stranger Danger! National Institute of
Occupational Safety. (cited 2002 April 2).
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