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Missing Children Home |
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Child Safety |
If Your Child Is Missing
Dealing with Strangers and
Dangerous Situations
Some people say a stranger is a friend you haven't met yet. This
isn't always the case, but it is true that most strangers are nice
people. However, some are not. Unfortunately you can't tell if a
stranger is good or bad just by looking at him or her but you can
tell if a situation is good or bad.
If a child is asked to do something
without his or her parents' permission, or to go somewhere alone
with an adult, a dangerous situation may occur. If a child feels
uncomfortable or scared, the situation may be dangerous. You may not
be able to shield children from these situations, but you can teach
them what to do if they feel something is wrong.
What You Can Do:
- Explain what a stranger is.
Emphasize that strangers don't look like monsters or aliens, but
that they look like ordinary people.
- Teach children "No, Go, Yell,
Tell." Teach children to say no, run away, yell as loud as
they can, and tell a trusted adult if they think they are in a
dangerous situation. Practice this through role-playing.
Possible dangerous situations: an
adult asks a child for directions, an adult asks a child to keep
a "special secret," or an adult approaches a child in a car.
- Know where your children are
at all times. Make a rule that your children must ask
permission or check with you before going anywhere. Give your
children your work and cell phone numbers so they can reach you
at all times.
- Point out safe places in the
neighborhood. Walk through the neighborhood with children
and show them safe places to play, safe roads and paths to take,
and safe places to go if there's trouble.
- Teach children to trust their
instincts. Explain that if they ever feel scared or
uncomfortable they should get away from the situation and tell
an adult. Reassure children that you will help them when they
need it.
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