Before/After School Stranger Dangers!
STRANGER DANGER!!
It is that time of year again! School is here, activities are here, and stress of everyday life has begun once more for 9 and a half months.
What can we do to make sure our children are in the right place at the right time, and keep them safe and secure while we go about our day going to work, paying bills, getting groceries, picking the dog up from the vet, get the dry-cleaning from the cleaners, picking up trash in the yard, yard work, and getting food on the table..
Geesh!
Now, how about getting the kids to and from school? Maybe 15% of us adults take our kids to school ourselves due to timing of our jobs, and then there are walkers and bus takers.
In that time when we can not take our kids to school, we trust that we live in perfect neighborhoods and nothing could happen between home, the bus and the walk to school.
Unfortunately, time has taught us again and again that there are strangers out there who wish to harm our kids for some self-righteous reason or another.
I have a list of things to teach our children so they have a way home that is much safer and keep them aware of the dangers out there without making them super paranoid about people.
What does a stranger look like?
mmm, good question. Have you ever watched the news and seen the picture of a man or woman who abducted a child? They look pretty normal, except the disheveled hair and clothes from being arrested by the police.
Secret Code or Password
One way a child can be protected is to have a code word or password only the family would know and use if a neighbor or co-worker has to come pick your child up. When used, the family code or password needs to be changed.
What to do if they don't have the code or password?
Step back and run to an adult you do know and let them know.
Strangers will often try to get to touch you, or want you to touch them (hold hands, etc.)
They may want to give you candy, food, gifts, or even money
Strangers will pull up next to you when they are driving and offer you a ride
Strangers will ask you to help them find their pet or have you look at their pet
Never get in a car of someone that you do not know and does not know the code or password. EVER
They may tell you all kinds of things, do not believe them and find an adult you do know or get to a phone safely and dial 911.
Safety Tips
Walk with other people even if they are smaller or younger than you. Groups are Always Safer!
Know where houses are you can go to on your way if you need a place to run to where you know and trust the people. Police, Fire Departments, Post Offices, Schools, Banks and Barbershops are safest.
Wear a whistle around your neck, blow the whistle if you are in danger or if someone grabs you
Always let you parents know who you are with and where you are going
Always tell an adult if something does not feel right about someone in the neighborhood
Remember to scream "This is not my Daddy" or "Mommy" if someone grabs you.
Know your code or password
Try to remember the car and or license plate if someone tries to make you get in the car, this can be written in dirt or snow if you have nothing else.
Run away and make noise if a stranger asks you something uncomfortable and makes you feel afraid.
Wearing shirts or labels with child's name on them should be avoided, a child is less threatened if some stranger knows their name.
Do not be staring at your cellphone or tablet as you are walking, always be aware of your surroundings.
Safety through Education
It is that time of year again! School is here, activities are here, and stress of everyday life has begun once more for 9 and a half months.
What can we do to make sure our children are in the right place at the right time, and keep them safe and secure while we go about our day going to work, paying bills, getting groceries, picking the dog up from the vet, get the dry-cleaning from the cleaners, picking up trash in the yard, yard work, and getting food on the table..
Geesh!
Now, how about getting the kids to and from school? Maybe 15% of us adults take our kids to school ourselves due to timing of our jobs, and then there are walkers and bus takers.
In that time when we can not take our kids to school, we trust that we live in perfect neighborhoods and nothing could happen between home, the bus and the walk to school.
Unfortunately, time has taught us again and again that there are strangers out there who wish to harm our kids for some self-righteous reason or another.
I have a list of things to teach our children so they have a way home that is much safer and keep them aware of the dangers out there without making them super paranoid about people.
What does a stranger look like?
mmm, good question. Have you ever watched the news and seen the picture of a man or woman who abducted a child? They look pretty normal, except the disheveled hair and clothes from being arrested by the police.
Secret Code or Password
One way a child can be protected is to have a code word or password only the family would know and use if a neighbor or co-worker has to come pick your child up. When used, the family code or password needs to be changed.
What to do if they don't have the code or password?
Step back and run to an adult you do know and let them know.
Strangers will often try to get to touch you, or want you to touch them (hold hands, etc.)
They may want to give you candy, food, gifts, or even money
Strangers will pull up next to you when they are driving and offer you a ride
Strangers will ask you to help them find their pet or have you look at their pet
Never get in a car of someone that you do not know and does not know the code or password. EVER
They may tell you all kinds of things, do not believe them and find an adult you do know or get to a phone safely and dial 911.
Safety Tips
Walk with other people even if they are smaller or younger than you. Groups are Always Safer!
Know where houses are you can go to on your way if you need a place to run to where you know and trust the people. Police, Fire Departments, Post Offices, Schools, Banks and Barbershops are safest.
Wear a whistle around your neck, blow the whistle if you are in danger or if someone grabs you
Always let you parents know who you are with and where you are going
Always tell an adult if something does not feel right about someone in the neighborhood
Remember to scream "This is not my Daddy" or "Mommy" if someone grabs you.
Know your code or password
Try to remember the car and or license plate if someone tries to make you get in the car, this can be written in dirt or snow if you have nothing else.
Run away and make noise if a stranger asks you something uncomfortable and makes you feel afraid.
Wearing shirts or labels with child's name on them should be avoided, a child is less threatened if some stranger knows their name.
Do not be staring at your cellphone or tablet as you are walking, always be aware of your surroundings.
Safety through Education
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