Staying Safe: A Kid’s Guide to Protecting Yourself from Strangers

It’s important to learn how to stay safe, especially when you’re around people you don’t know. This guide is designed to help kids understand what a stranger is and how to protect themselves in different situations. Remember, most people are good, but it’s always best to be cautious and aware of your surroundings.

**What is a Stranger?**

A stranger is someone you don’t know well. It could be someone you’ve never met before, or someone you’ve only seen a few times. It’s important to remember that strangers aren’t always bad people, but you still need to be careful around them. Even if someone seems nice, you shouldn’t trust them automatically. Trust is something that’s earned over time.

**Why is it Important to be Careful Around Strangers?**

Being careful around strangers is important because you don’t know their intentions. They might be friendly and want to help, but they could also have bad intentions. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so it’s always a good idea to be cautious. Think of it like this: you wouldn’t eat food from someone you don’t know without checking with your parents first, right? The same goes for interacting with strangers.

**Rules for Staying Safe Around Strangers**

Here are some rules to help you stay safe around strangers:

1. **Never Go Anywhere With a Stranger:** This is the most important rule. A stranger might ask you to go somewhere with them, like their car or their house. They might say they need help finding a lost pet, or that your parents sent them to pick you up. No matter what they say, you should never go with them without your parents’ permission. This includes accepting rides, walks, or any other invitation to leave your current location.

2. **Never Accept Gifts or Candy From a Stranger:** Strangers might offer you gifts, candy, or money to try and get you to trust them. Remember, you don’t need anything from a stranger. Politely say “No, thank you” and walk away. Even if the gift looks really cool or the candy is your favorite, it’s not worth risking your safety. It’s always best to get things from people you know and trust.

3. **Keep a Safe Distance:** If a stranger approaches you, try to keep a safe distance between you and them. This means staying at least an arm’s length away. This gives you space to run away if you need to. Imagine there’s a bubble around you, and you don’t want anyone to enter that bubble unless you know them and feel safe.

4. **Trust Your Gut:** If something feels wrong, it probably is. If a stranger makes you feel uncomfortable, scared, or uneasy, trust your instincts and get away from them. You have a right to feel safe, and it’s okay to remove yourself from a situation that makes you uncomfortable. Don’t worry about being polite; your safety is more important.

5. **Buddy Up:** There is safety in numbers! Always walk with a friend, sibling, or other trusted adult, especially when you are going somewhere new or unfamiliar. If you are playing outside, try to play with other kids in a group. Strangers are less likely to approach a group of people than a single person.

6. **Tell a Trusted Adult:** If a stranger approaches you or makes you feel uncomfortable, tell a trusted adult right away. This could be your parents, a teacher, a coach, or any other adult you feel safe talking to. It’s important to tell someone so they can help you and make sure you’re safe. Don’t be afraid to speak up, even if you’re worried about getting someone in trouble.

7. **Know Your Personal Information:** Make sure you know your full name, address, and phone number. This information is important if you ever get lost or need help. It’s also a good idea to know your parents’ full names and phone numbers. Practice saying this information out loud so you can remember it easily.

8. **Learn About “Tricky People”:** Tricky People are strangers who might try to trick you into doing something you shouldn’t. They might wear uniforms to look official (like a delivery person or repair person), or they might say they know your parents and need your help. It’s important to remember that even if someone looks or sounds trustworthy, you should still be cautious if you don’t know them. Always check with your parents or a trusted adult before helping a stranger.

9. **Have a Safe Word:** Talk to your parents about creating a safe word. This is a secret word that only you and your family know. If someone says they were sent by your parents to pick you up, ask them for the safe word. If they don’t know it, you know they’re not telling the truth. This is a good way to verify that someone is who they say they are.

10. **Practice “No, Go, Yell, Tell”:** This is a simple strategy to remember what to do if a stranger approaches you and makes you feel unsafe:
* **No:** Say “No!” loudly and firmly. This lets the stranger know that you don’t want to talk to them.
* **Go:** Run away from the stranger as fast as you can.
* **Yell:** Yell for help. Say something like “Help! Stranger!” or “I don’t know you!”
* **Tell:** Tell a trusted adult what happened as soon as possible.

**What to Do if a Stranger Approaches You**

If a stranger approaches you, here’s what you should do:

1. **Stay Calm:** It’s natural to feel scared, but try to stay calm. Take a deep breath and remember the rules you’ve learned.

2. **Create Distance:** Try to create some distance between yourself and the stranger. Back away slowly, or walk to a more public area.

3. **Be Assertive:** Stand up straight, make eye contact (if you feel comfortable), and be assertive. This means speaking in a clear, strong voice. If the stranger asks you a question, you can say something like, “I’m not allowed to talk to strangers.” or simply ignore them and walk away.

4. **Don’t Give Out Information:** Don’t tell the stranger your name, address, phone number, or any other personal information. They don’t need to know anything about you.

5. **Run if Necessary:** If you feel like you’re in danger, run away as fast as you can to a safe place, like a store, a friend’s house, or your school. Yell for help as you run.

6. **Report the Incident:** Tell a trusted adult about the incident as soon as possible. Give them as much information as you can remember about the stranger, such as what they looked like, what they said, and where you saw them.

**Safe Places to Go**

It’s important to know where to go if you feel unsafe. Here are some safe places to go:

* **Your Home:** Your home should be a safe place where you feel comfortable and protected.
* **A Friend’s House:** If you’re playing outside, you can go to a friend’s house if you feel unsafe.
* **Your School:** Your school is a safe place during school hours. Talk to a teacher or staff member if you need help.
* **A Store or Business:** Stores and businesses are usually safe places to go because there are other people around.
* **A Police Station or Fire Station:** Police stations and fire stations are always safe places to go if you need help.
* **Any place with a Trusted Adult:** Anywhere you can find a trusted adult can become a safe place.

**Talking to Your Parents**

It’s important to talk to your parents about staying safe around strangers. They can help you understand the rules and practice what to do in different situations. Here are some things you can talk to your parents about:

* **What a Stranger Is:** Make sure you both have the same understanding of what a stranger is.
* **The Rules for Staying Safe:** Review the rules for staying safe around strangers and make sure you understand them.
* **What to Do if a Stranger Approaches You:** Practice what to do if a stranger approaches you. You can even role-play different scenarios to help you feel more prepared.
* **Your Feelings:** Tell your parents how you feel about the topic of stranger danger. It’s okay to feel scared or anxious. They can help you feel more comfortable and confident.
* **The Safe Word:** Create a safe word together and practice using it.

**Things Parents Can Do**

Parents play a crucial role in teaching their children about stranger safety. Here are some things parents can do to help:

* **Have Open and Honest Conversations:** Talk to your children about stranger safety in a way that is age-appropriate and easy to understand. Be honest about the potential dangers, but also reassure them that most people are good.
* **Practice Scenarios:** Role-play different scenarios with your children to help them practice what to do if a stranger approaches them. This can help them feel more prepared and confident.
* **Teach Children to Trust Their Instincts:** Encourage children to trust their gut feelings. If something feels wrong, it probably is.
* **Know Your Neighbors:** Get to know your neighbors so your children have trusted adults nearby in case of an emergency.
* **Supervise Children:** Supervise children closely, especially when they are playing outside or in public places.
* **Teach Children About Online Safety:** It’s also important to teach children about online safety. Explain that they should never share personal information with strangers online and that they should always tell a trusted adult if they encounter anything that makes them uncomfortable.
* **Empower Children:** Teach children that they have the right to say “no” to adults and that they should always tell a trusted adult if someone makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
* **Stay Informed:** Stay informed about the latest safety tips and resources for parents. There are many organizations and websites that offer valuable information about stranger safety.

**Remember:** Staying safe around strangers is about being aware and cautious. By following these rules and talking to your parents, you can help protect yourself and stay safe. Even though it’s important to be careful, don’t let fear control you. Enjoy your childhood and have fun, but always remember to be smart and safe!