Virtual Children's Hospital: CQQA: Stranger Safety

Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Stranger Safety

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: May 2002
Last Revision Date: May 2002

Common Questions, Quick Answers

What kinds of strangers are dangerous?

Treat all strangers as if they are dangerous.
You can't tell who is a nice stranger and who is a dangerous stranger.
Dangerous strangers can act nice.
Even strangers who know your name, family members' names, or where you live are dangerous. This information is not hard for strangers to find out.
Even strangers who look the same age as an older brother or sister can be dangerous.

What are some dangerous situations?
These are times you should run the other way and immediately find a safe place or a safe adult:

What is stranger safety?

It's always best to walk with someone else, even if the person is younger or smaller than you are. Groups are even safer.
Know where your "safe spots" are. Safe spots are the houses of people you know. Go to a safe spot if a stranger tries to get close to you.
Stores, libraries, schools, police stations, and fire stations are also safe places.
If a stranger comes toward you, immediately run the other direction.
If a stranger asks you something, run the other way.
If a stranger is near and you don't feel safe, run away and make as much noise as you can. Scream and yell and try to get people's attention.
Run as soon as you can. Never wait around to see what the stranger might do next.
Go to a safe spot right away and tell an adult about the stranger.
Never take gifts, candy, or food from strangers.
Never walk toward a stranger, even if they want to show you something.
Never follow a stranger, get in the car with a stranger, or let a stranger take you somewhere.

What about answering the phone?

Young children should never be left home alone.
Some older children can be left home alone if they are prepared, responsible, and know how to handle emergencies.
Teach your child not to answer the phone if he is home alone.
Or, teach him how to answer the phone if he is home alone.
- Never tell a caller you are home alone.
- Say that your parents are busy and can't come to the phone.
- Never tell a caller your name, phone number, or address.
- If the caller asks for this information, hang up and call a safe adult.
- If a stranger calls twice, hang up and call a safe adult.
- If the caller teases you or says things that scare you, hang up and call a safe adult.

What about answering the door?

Young children should never be left home alone.
Some older children can be left home alone if they are prepared, responsible, and know how to handle emergencies.
Teach your child not to answer the door if he is home alone.
Or, teach him how to answer the door if he is home alone.
- If someone knocks, keep the door closed and locked.
- Look through the window or peephole to see who is there.
- Never tell the visitor you are home alone.
- Say that your parents are busy and can't come to the door.
- Talk to the visitor through the closed door. Don't open the door. Keep it locked.
- Never let a stranger in, even to use the bathroom or the phone.
- Don't let anyone in unless your parents said it was okay for this person to come in. If you didn't talk about this person, don't let them in even if you know them.
- If the person says they came to deliver something or fix something, say your parents are busy and take a message.
- If the person will not go away or tries to get in, call 911.

How can we avoid problems with strangers?

Teach your child never to wander in the woods, alleys, or isolated streets.
Teach your child to come home before it gets dark. Instead of walking home after dark, children should call a safe adult.
Be on time to pick your child up. Call an adult if you will be late so they can supervise your child while he waits.
Teach your child not to help strangers. If a stranger needs help, your child should find a safe adult and tell them.
Teach your child his address and home phone number and a back-up number, like a grandparent. If the child is ever in trouble or needs a ride, he can call.
Teach your child to tell a parent, teacher, or other trusted adult if a stranger ever asks him to keep a "secret."
Teach your child to tell an employee if he is lost (at an amusement park, at the mall, etc.).
Teach your child these safety tips in a matter of fact way. Do not scare him.
Ask your doctor for more safety tips.

Quick Answers

Children should treat all strangers as if they are dangerous.
Teach children to run away from strangers who offer a ride, candy, gifts, or who ask for directions. Never go anywhere with a stranger.
Teach your child stranger safety. If a stranger ever tries to come toward him or talk to him, he should run in the other direction and tell a safe adult.
Teach your child how to answer the phone or door if he is home alone.
Children should never tell a stranger they are home alone. They should call a safe adult right away if a stranger at the door or on the phone won't leave them alone or is scaring them.
Teach your child not to help strangers. If a stranger needs help, your child should find a safe adult and tell them.

References

American Academy of Pediatrics. The Pediatrician's Role in the Prevention of Missing Children. 1992 January (cited 2002 April 2). URL: http://www.medem.com/search/article_display.cfm?path=n:&mstr=/ZZZG321Y0CC.html&soc=AAP&srch_typ=NAV_SERCH
Rutherford K. Do You Know How to be Street Smart? KidsHealth. 2001 November (cited 2002 April 2). URL: http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/watch/out/street_smart.html
University of Missouri. Stranger Danger! National Institute of Occupational Safety. (cited 2002 April 2).

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