Kristy Sumichrast

Stranger Danger: What To Teach Your Kids

Back when I was growing up in the 80s I remember Officer Friendly making a trip to my elementary school. For those of you who are not familiar with Officer Friendly, it was a police officer from the local police department who made the rounds to the local elementary schools to discuss "stranger danger."

I had completely forgotten about Officer Friendly until I received a message on our neighborhood Facebook page about a failed abduction in our neighborhood. Apparently an unmarked van was claiming to be a tile installer and had approached two elementary-aged girls in our neighborhood. The girls tried to run away when this individual got out of his car and chased after them. Thankfully they were able to run home, the police were called and the man was taken into custody.

We live in a quiet suburban town and this just reminded me that child abductions can take place any where. Our elementary school does not teach this topic nor do they bring in any police officers to instruct students on what to do. So the topic of "stranger danger" is left up to the parents to discuss with their children. But what should your kids know? What should you teach young children about "stranger danger?" Here is a list of what to discuss with your children from the FBI:

Don't Wander Off Without Telling Your Parents or Guardians: Teach your children to stay with you at all times in stores and when out in public. Most of the time the child wanders back or the parent finds the child, but abductions do happen.

What is an abduction? Explain that an abduction is being taken against your will. And that abductions involve bad people doing bad things to you without your permission.

Who is an abductor? This is the hard part since a potential abductor could be someone your child knows. Ask your child if they could spot an abductor in a crowd or on the street. Explain that kidnappers don't always look or act differently than a normal person they know.

Abductors may offer good things. Tell your child that a kidnapper may offer a gift such as candy or tell them they are their friend.

Develop a code word. Come up with a code word that only you and your children know. If you need another parent or a friend to pick up your child, share this code word with this individual. That way your child will ask what the code word is before he or she gets in the car with this person.

Stay away from strangers. Teach your children to be alert at all times. If they see someone hanging around their school or playground that looks out of place, make sure they speak up even if this person is a familiar face.

Grow-ups should not ask kids to do things they know how to do themselves. Explain to your child that if someone stops them for directions, to find a lost puppy/kitten or needing some other type of help, do not help this person. Your child should go and get you right away and you can help the other adult instead of your child.

If lost, do not go looking for your parent. Tell your child if they get separated from you in a store or another public place to go find someone who works at the store or is in charge to help out.

Always ask before. Tell your children to ask before going anywhere with anybody, leaving the yard, play area or going to someone's house, getting a ride home with someone other than the bus driver/usual ride and getting in a car to go someplace even if it's someone they know like another parent of a school friend.

Once you get permission. Make sure your child tells you where they are going, how they are getting there, who they will be going with, what time to expect them back and tell them it's important to return home on time.

If someone follows you. Advise your child not to go near the car or talk to anyone inside the car.

Have you discussed strangers with your children? Or have you taken a class in abduction prevention that was helpful in discussing this topic with your child? Please comment below and let us know your safety tips.