What is a stranger?

A stranger is a person that your child does not know. Remind your  child that bad strangers and good strangers may look and act similarly.  Children should avoid all strangers.

How can I prepare my child for interactions with strangers?

Tell your child not to talk to or accept anything from strangers. If a  stranger approaches your child, she should shout “No!” and tell a  parent or teacher immediately. If the stranger continues to bother her,  she can go to a neighbor’s house or a business.

If a stranger in a car asks your child to approach the car, tell her to shout “No!” and tell a parent or teacher immediately.

Children should avoid all adult strangers who ask them to do such  things as play a game or help find a lost pet. They should leave and  tell a parent or teacher immediately.

Ways to prevent stranger interaction:

• Encourage your child to walk with other kids.

• Look out for strange people and strange vehicles.

• Leave a spare key with a trusted neighbor so your child can get into  your house if she is locked out. Never leave a spare key near the front  door.

Make sure your children know what to do when the telephone rings when you are gone.

• Always be nice.

• Always take a message with the caller’s name and telephone number.

• Callers should never know that your child is home alone.

• Hang up if the caller asks for your phone number.

• If the same person calls again, your child should hang up the phone and call you or a trusted person.

• If the caller tries to play a joke or tease your child, she should hang up and call you or a trusted person.

Talk to your child about how to answer the door when you are gone.

• Keep the door locked at all times.

• Look through the window or peephole to see who is at the door.

• Your child should never tell the visitor that she is home alone. She  can tell the visitor that a parent is in the bathroom or shower, for  example.

• Talk to the visitor through the locked door to find out what he wants.

• Do not let anyone in the house to use the telephone or bathroom.

• Make sure your children know who is allowed in the house when you are gone.

• Tell your child when someone might come to the house to make a  delivery or fix something. Your child should never allow anyone in the  house if she does not know the person is coming.

• Make sure your child knows how to call the police if a stranger does not go away.