We always want to be aware of where our children are to keep them safe.  Sometimes it only takes turning our back for 30 seconds or letting your child go into a restroom alone.   We need to teach our kids what strangers are while teaching them in a manner where they won’t be scared of the world.

There are a lot of good people, who are strangers, who can help them in an emergency situation and we don’t want to remove that option for our children.

Here are some ideas you can go over for Stranger Danger:

• Be sure your child knows their phone number and home address.
• Never accept anything from a stranger including candy and gifts.
• Use the Buddy System whenever possible.  The bigger the group, the better.
• If they feel they are being followed, run for help immediately.  This is where they may have to seek help from a stranger. 
• If someone tries to pull you into their car, Scream, Kick, Bite and Claw.  Call out STRANGER  and/or THIS IS NOT MY DAD (OR MOM).
• Get a description of a car, person, or license plate only if they can without putting their safety at risk.
• Have a code word and review it regularly.   Review the rules of the word which, in our family are:  (1) Don’t tell anyone our password.  (2) If someone says they are a friend’s Dad they must have the password.  (3) If a policeman doesn’t have the code word, he may not be a policeman.  Mom or Dad will give a policeman the password if we sent them for you.

Go over these and/or other methods you employ regularly with your children.  A frequent reminder of stranger danger is important.