Strangers:
A
stranger is anyone you don't know. There is no way to tell by
the way a person looks if they are dangerous or not. A dangerous
person does not always look mean or scary, so judging by the
way people look is a mistake. It's not so easy to tell who is
okay and who is not.
Just
because someone looks nasty doesn't mean that they would hurt
you and just because someone looks nice, doesn't mean that they
are a nice person.
There
is only one person that is with you all the time and can be
responsible for keeping you safe at all times. THAT PERSON IS
YOU! Safety rules need to apply ALL THE TIME, not just when
someone who looks bad or scary is around. One of the most common
ways that kids get hurt by strangers is when being friendly
and helpful to adults who pretend to need help. When you are
without your parents or other adult you know, it is your job
to protect yourself. It is not your job to offer help to any
adults, even if they ask! A grown-up who needs help should get
help from another adult, not a child. So remember, looking out
for yourself is your biggest job when you are not with your
parents or another adult, so you have permission to ignore or
refuse adult requests for help.
Here are some
safety tips to follow:
You should learn
—
-
Your
full name, address, including city, state and zip code
-
Your
phone number, including area code
-
Your
parents' names, work addresses, and phone numbers.
-
How
to use both a push button and rotary-dial telephone.
-
How
to make an emergency call to your parents or for help from
a pay phone.
-
How
to make a long distance call (both directly to your parents
using the area code, and by dialing "0" for the operator).
When you are home
alone you should —
-
Never
tell anyone over the phone that you are home alone.
-
Never
answer the door when home alone. Talk through a door or window
to anyone delivering a package, and to tell the person to
leave the package at the door. Never open the door to strangers!
-
Know
how to call the emergency assistance number (often 911).
-
Know
of a neighbor to call if someone tries to get into the house
or if there is any kind of emergency.
When in a public
place such as a shopping mall —
- Never look for
the adult you were with if you become separated while shopping
or are in any public place. Instead, find the nearest checkout
counter, security office, or lost and found, and tell the person
in charge that you have lost your mom or dad, or other adult
you are with and need help in finding them.
- And, you should
NEVER go to a parking lot without your parents or the adult
you are with.
At all times you
should —
- Ask your parents'
permission to leave the yard or to go to a neighbor's house.
Older children should phone home to tell parents where they
are, especially if they change locations.
- Never go into anyone's
home without your parents' permission. All kids should learn
what homes they are allowed to enter.
- Come home before
dark.
- Always avoid dark
or abandoned places.
When you are
not with an adult who is taking care of you —
-
Walk and play with others and use the buddy system. If you
walk somewhere, walk with other children. It doesn't just
make the trip more fun, it makes it safer too. You are an
easy target when walking alone.
- Adults do not usually
ask children for directions or help, they should be asking other
adults. If someone in a car should stop to ask for directions,
you should not go near the car.
- Stay an arms reach
or more away from strangers. Stand up, back up and run to someone
who can help you if you feel afraid.
- If someone is following
you on foot or in a car, go to a place where there are other
people--to a neighbor's home or into a store, a police station
or even a library for instance--and ask for help. You should
not go near the car to talk to anyone inside and should not
try to hide behind bushes or in any isolated area..
- No one should ask
you to look for lost items such as a "lost puppy" or tell you
that either of your parents is in trouble and that he or she
will take you to mom or dad. If someone tells you this, run
the other way immediately and find help with an adult you know
or run into a safe place you know.
- Never go near a
car with someone in it or get into a car without your parents'
permission. You should learn whose cars you are allowed to ride
in.
- Someone might try
to lure you into a car by claiming your mom or dad said to pick
you up; never obey those instructions. Instead, go back to the
school or place you are leaving for help. Share a code word
with your parents known only among family members. This way
anyone offering a ride unexpectedly--even a family friend-will
have been given the code word and you will know for sure that
it is okay to go with that person.
- Yell and scream,
"This is not my parent!" if someone tries to take you away.
Make a lot of noise if you are afraid! Yell as loud as you can!
- Don't talk to strangers.
- NEVER take anything
from strangers - not gifts or even your own things.
- NEVER go anywhere
with someone you don't know.
Sometimes even
people you know can do things to you that aren't right, just as
easy as strangers can —
- Tell your parents
if any adult asks you to keep a "secret."
- Tell your parents
if someone offers you gifts, money, drugs, or wants to take
your picture.
- No one should touch
you in any part of your body that would be covered by a bathing
suit. AND you should not touch anyone else in those areas either.
Everyone's body is special and private.
- Avoid adults who
are waiting around a playground--particularly an adult who wants
to play with you and your friends.
- Never hitch hike
or get a ride with anyone, unless your parents have told you
it is okay to accept the ride.
- YOU have the right
to say NO to anyone who tries to take you somewhere, touches
you, or makes you feel uncomfortable in any way.
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