Keeping your kids safe is about the most important thing you can do. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that an average of 58,200 children are the victims of non-family abduction every year. But how do you teach kids the things they need to know without making them frightened of everyone they meet? To make sure your kids are prepared and safe, here are some basics on introducing your child to stranger danger:
Define what a stranger is
A stranger is anyone that your family doesn’t know well or anyone who you have not introduced to your child. A stranger is not:
- Someone who looks strange or mean (because many strangers look nice and normal)
- Someone who doesn’t know your child’s name (because strangers can overhear conversations and pretend to know your child)
Your child needs to understand that no one can tell if strangers are nice or not nice just by looking at them. The majority of strangers they see are nice people who will not harm them, but they should be careful around all strangers just to be safe.
Set up role playing
This is probably the most important educational technique you can use to help your child understand how they should act around strangers. What would you advise your child to do in these scenarios?
- A nice-looking stranger approaches your child in the park and asks for help finding a lost dog
- A woman who lives in your neighborhood but that the child has never spoken to invites your child into her house for a treat
- A stranger offers to drive your child home from school
- While your child is walking home, a car pulls over and a stranger asks for directions
Identify safe strangers
If your child is ever lost or alone, he or she will need to ask a stranger for help. Here is a list of safe strangers who your child can go to:
- Policemen, fire fighters or paramedics
- Store personnel
- Teachers
- Mothers with children
- Office staff working behind a desk
Whenever possible, your child should ask for help in a public place where other people are around. You can help your child recognize safe strangers and good places to go for help by pointing them out when you and your child are in public.
Check out my next post for more information on specific precautions you should discuss with your child about stranger danger.
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