Teaching Your Child Stranger Awareness Every year a few preteens [or children?] are abducted, exploited, or even murdered by strangers. All children should know how to respond to potentially threatening situations involving strangers. Most parents tell their children, "Don't talk to strangers," but this warning is not enough - children often don't understand that strangers don't always look dangerous. They may act friendly and "hang around" the neighborhood or school until they become a familiar and seemingly non-threatening part of the scene.

Children who are on the lookout for certain kinds of situations or actions, and know how to react to them, are safer than those who are merely cautious about "strangers." A number of basic safety rules will increase kids' awareness and lessen their chances of being harmed. Share these rules with your child and encourage other parents to learn these rules and teach them to their children.

If a child gets separated from his parents in a public place, he should go immediately to a checkout counter or the security office and tell the person in charge that he needs help in finding his parents.

A child should never get into a car or go anywhere with any person unless her parents have told her that it's okay.

If someone follows a child on foot or in a car, the child should keep away from that person. He should not get into the car or even get anywhere near it but quickly go to a crowded, well-lighted place where there are other people who can help him.

A child should never go anywhere with a stranger. She should not respond to anyone she doesn't know. If the person asks for directions or help in looking for a "lost dog" or says that the child's mother or father is in trouble and has asked the stranger to pick up the child and take her to her parents, she should quickly go to a crowded, well-lighted place where there are other people who can help her.

If someone tries to take a child somewhere, the child should quickly get away from him or her if possible; he should start yelling to passersby, "This person is trying to take me away!" or "This person is not my [father or mother]!"

A child should always use the "buddy system" when she is going somewhere outside the home. She should never go alone.

A child should always ask for permission to leave his yard or play area or to go to someone else's house. He should let his parents know where he will be and when he will be back, and he should return when he is expected or call his parents to let them know that he will be late.

No adult should ask a child to keep a "special secret" about a behavior or activity that makes the child uncomfortable. If this happens, the child should tell her parents or another adult she trusts.

If someone the child or his family doesn't know well wants to take his picture, the child should say no and tell his parents or another trusted adult.

No one except her doctor should touch a child in the places covered by her bathing suit, nor should she touch anyone else in those areas. The child should understand that those parts of her body are private, and if anyone tries to touch them, she should tell her parents or a trusted adult.

Be sensitive to changes in your child's behavior. Keep the lines of communication open so you can ask your child what's going on.

Be alert to a teenager or adult who is paying an unusual amount of attention to your child or giving them inappropriate or expensive gifts.

Remember what your child is wearing each time your child leaves the house.

Do not permit your child to wear any clothing that has your child's name visible to others. Personalization's can help a kidnapper gain your child's trust.

Use your eyes, ears and intuition to help you protect your children.

Children are strong, and they have the right to say no to someone who tries to take them somewhere against their will or who touches them or makes them feel uncomfortable. They should tell their parents or a trusted adult.

Tricks commonly used by strangers to lure children.

1. Asking for help. Adults should ask other adults for help; they should not ask children. Teach your child to stand at arm's reach, say no and run away immediately.

2. Offering gifts. Children should be instructed to stay out of reach and never accept items from a stranger.

3. Saying there is an emergency and that the child's parents have sent them. In a real emergency, someone the child knows should be given that task. Have a secret family code word.

4. Getting your child to let them in the house. Only an adult should open a door to a stranger. If there are no adults present, the child should say that Mom or Dad is busy try again later. A kid should never admit to a stranger that they are home alone.

5. Getting a child to admit over the telephone that they are home alone. "Is your mother or father home?" The child should say that Mom or Dad are busy, offer to take a message and hang up.

6. Telling a child that his parents don't love them anymore. No matter what happens, your child should know he or she is loved - always.