| Stranger Danger is one of the most important | | | | parts of the stranger and have child say no. |
| lessons for children to learn. We all know | | | | |
| the catch phases like "Don't talk to | | | | What's the Secret Password? |
| strangers", "Never get into a car with a | | | | |
| stranger", and "Don't take candy from a | | | | In the case of an emergency, create a family |
| stranger." The phases are simple reminders | | | | password that only you and your child know. A |
| for kids, but they can make the child | | | | friend may need to pick up your child at |
| insecure and fearful. How can we teach about | | | | school or an activity. How does your child |
| stranger danger without scaring them or give | | | | know that you asked them to pick them up and |
| them nightmares? Here's some quick tips to | | | | it's not a trick? Yes, you got it, the family |
| keeping your child safe. | | | | password. The child asks the friend for the |
| | | | family password and if they know it, the |
| What is a Stranger? | | | | child knows that you did send them and |
| | | | everything's okay. Don't forget to change the |
| The first thing to teach children is the | | | | password once it is used. |
| difference between a friend and a stranger. | | | | |
| Statistics show that casual acquaintances | | | | Important Information your child should know |
| perpetuate most abductions. Children wrongly | | | | |
| assume that because the parent says "hi" to | | | | Teach your child some vital information will |
| the clerk at the grocery store, that they are | | | | assist if they get lost. You should quiz them |
| friends. Quiz your child in the difference | | | | periodically to ensure they remember it. Give |
| between a stranger and a friend. Ask them | | | | them lots of praise and attention for |
| if… a teacher is a friend or stranger, | | | | answering correctly. The vital information |
| how about the cashier at Blockbuster, or your | | | | for the child to know is your full home |
| neighbor that you have know for 5 years, | | | | address, home phone number, both parent's |
| etc.? This drill is an excellent start. | | | | full names, and cell phone numbers. Many kids |
| | | | are shy around other adults so it's important |
| Saying No to Adults | | | | to build their confidence so they can repeat |
| | | | the information to a police officer or |
| We teach our children to respect adult and | | | | another person trying to help. |
| listen to them so most children have | | | | |
| difficulty say no to adults. Child Predators | | | | Know thy enemy |
| exploit this tendency to abduct children by | | | | |
| telling them to get into a car with a stern | | | | Awareness is power in abduction safety. |
| voice. The stern voice makes the child feel | | | | Parents should know if any child predators |
| they did something wrong and comply with the | | | | live in their area. Parents can go to to |
| demands. | | | | search for child predators with prior |
| | | | conviction in your area. |
| Teaching your child, that it is okay to say | | | | |
| no to strangers and that they ALWAYS need to | | | | Tim Rosanelli is a 5th degree Black Belt in |
| ask parent's permission first before meeting | | | | Shotokan Karate and owns Maximum Impact |
| stranger's demands. Parents can role-play the | | | | Karate located in Dublin, Pennsylvania. |