Home Safeguard List - How To Protect Your Youngsters From Stranger Risks

Years ago when I was growing up, safety at home was completely different than today. We felt perfectly secure, infrequently locked our doors and infrequently if ever thought about stranger danger.

I remember as a teenager, I went to a club meeting once a week and walked quite a long distance to get home...in the dark. My mother would meet me at the half way point to keep me company the remainder of the way home.

Presently with so much violence and crime shown repeatedly and graphically on TV and in print, it's frightening. Safety measures must be taught to kids for their defense against abuse, violence, abduction and danger stranger.

Parents, here's a list of quite a few measures you can teach your kids to prevent danger stranger:

First, it's important to teach them stranger safety rather than stranger danger because it will help keep them from feeling worried.

It's important for kids to realize that strangers don't look like the bad guys on TV - they look like ordinary people.

When arriving home to an empty house after school, the first thing to do is lock all the doors.

Teach them to never open the door to a stranger.

Teach your youngster how to dial "911 - it could save a life.

When alone at home and answering the phone, never say "My parents aren't home. Instead have them say, "My parents can't come to the phone right now. Then have them ask for the caller's name and phone number.

As a family, create a secret code word meaningful to your family if a friend has to pick the child up in an emergency situation.

Teach them if someone wants them to go with them in a car, even if they tell your child it's a family emergency, have your child ask them for the code word. Even if it's a family friend, they're not to go with them without the code.

Have the kids let the stranger know he/she has to ask their parents first before doing what the strranger wants. Then have them run away quickly and tell you

Do not go near a car when a stranger calls for help, or wants to give them something like candy, or show them something like a puppy. Continue walking and tell an adult.

Teach them to memorize the license plate number and tell you immediately. Always take such reports from your kids seriously, and report them to the police.

If on foot, have your child run, yell and find an adult he/she can trust.

It's safer to remain in a group rather than walk solo.
Teach your child that if he/she feels frightened or uncomfortable, follow their instincts, say NO and get away. Tell an adult ASAP.

Have them be wary if a stranger requests help or wants them to keep a secret.

For your child's safety, connect parental controls on your computers to protect them from harmful preditors.

Warn children about the pitfalls of becoming friends with unknown strangers on the internet.

I've been working with parents going on 29 years, helping them raise healthier children by addressing their questions and concerns. As an important part of kids' well-being, I avidly believe it's vital today for parents to instruct kids about danger stranger. That's why I have provided this list of suggestions to aid adults with their kids' home safety as well as when they're away from home.