1. BEYOND STRANGER DANGER
Tips and Tools from
KidSmartz brought to you by Got 2B Safe
Created by the Experts at
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
and The NYPD
Converted to PowerPoint by Renaissance Charter School Staff

2. CHILD ABDUCTION
Of all the questions that cross parents’ minds when they hear about child abductions, the most common question may be, how can I stop this from happening to my child? Some parents try to protect their kids by teaching them about “stranger danger”– but most child abductions involve a relative or someone the child knows.

3. TEACHING OUR CHILDREN TO AVOID STRANGERS IS NOT ENOUGH!
Parents should learn when and where children may be at risk of abduction. They should also teach kids about these situations and what to do if they occur. This helps prepare children to act even if the risk of abduction is from someone they know.

4. WHEN FAMILY MEMBERS ABDUCT
Family abductions occur when relatives break legal custody agreements by keeping kids from their legal guardians. Family abductions usually involve parents taking their children. An abduction may be more likely to occur if a parent has:
Threatened to abduct or previously abducted the child
No strong ties to the child's home state, but ties to friends and family living in another state/country
Engaged in planning activities (e.g., selling a home, securing records)
A history of marital issues
A history of domestic violence or child abuse

5. MOST ABDUCTIONS ARE COMMITTED BY A PERSON KNOWN TO THE CHILD
Learn more about the warning signs of family abductions and what you can do to protect your kids. Remember, these warning signs don’t mean an abduction will happen. Also, abductions can occur without any of these warning signs appearing.

6. WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ATTEMPTED ABDUCTIONS
Parents should learn when and where kids are
most vulnerable in order to better protect them. In
an analysis of attempted abductions, the National
Center for Missing & Exploited Children® found
that many:
Involved a suspect driving a vehicle
Occurred between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Occurred when the child was traveling to or away from school
Involved girls, and children between the ages of 10 and 14

7. TEACH CHILDREN TO TAKE ACTION
NCMEC’s review revealed one extremely important fact: 83% of children who escaped their would-be abductors did something proactive. They walked/ran away, yelled, kicked, or pulled away.
This means the best thing a child can do if someone tries to abduct them is take action instead of being passive or polite.
Use this information to set up a safety plan for your kids – and don’t forget to include teens in these conversations!

8. TEACH CHILDREN TO TAKE ACTION
When it comes to keeping your child safe, YOU are your child’s best resource!
YOU CAN:
Point out places they can go for help when walking places like school and the park.
Remind them to travel and stay with a group.
Warn them about accepting rides or changing plans without your permission.
Teach them the tricks would-be abductors use, such as offering money or asking for help.
Encourage them to tell a trusted adult whenever anything or anyone makes them uncomfortable.

9. RETHINKING “STRANGER DANGER”
“Stranger Danger.” It’s short. It’s simple. It even rhymes! But is it really the most effective abduction prevention lesson for our children?

10. WHY STRANGER DANGER IS NOT ENOUGH
Children do not understand the concept of a stranger. 
Many believe that strangers are mean, ugly people — so the nice man asking for help to find his lost puppy? Not a stranger.
Further confusing the issue, children sometimes need to turn to people they don’t know for help. 
Lost children should be taught to ask for assistance from a store clerk, police officer, or parent with children. These people are strangers, but in this situation children should be encouraged to talk to them.
It may be hard for younger children to understand the difference between strangers who may be able to help them and strangers who could potentially hurt them.
Focusing on “stranger danger” also ignores the fact that most children are abducted by someone they know.
Avoiding strangers will not help if the abductor is a family member, neighbor, or family acquaintance.
Instead of focusing on people, abduction prevention safety lessons should teach children to recognize and respond to threatening situations.

11. A NEW MESSAGE
Although “stranger danger” seems like an easy way to teach our children basic personal safety, it actually puts them at a disadvantage. Children who are taught stranger danger may:
Be afraid to ask helpful strangers for assistance when they need it
Not know how to recognize and avoid risky situations

12. A NEW MESSAGE
Instead of teaching “stranger danger,” try the following tips when talking to your child about abduction prevention safety:
Don’t say: Never talk to strangers.
Say: You should not approach just anyone. If you need help, look for a uniformed police officer, a store clerk with a nametag, or a parent with children.
Don’t say: Stay away from people you don’t know.
Say: It’s important for you to get my permission before going anywhere with anyone.
Don’t say: You can tell someone is bad just by looking at them.
Say: Pay attention to what people do. Tell me right away if anyone asks you to keep a secret, makes you feel uncomfortable, or tries to get you to go with them.

13. PRACTICE BUILDS CONFIDENCE
In addition to these conversations, use role- playing scenarios to help your children practice their abduction prevention skills. The more children practice, the better prepared they will be to respond to an emergency.
(A HAND OUT COPY OF THE ROLE-PLAY SCENARIOS IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.)

14. THE COMMON TRICKS 
Are you familiar with the news show segments testing children’s safety knowledge? They often feature “strangers” trying to lure children with offers of ice cream, modeling contracts, or other goodies. Too many times, these tricks are successful. In these scenarios, even children who know better often ignore their safety rules. Would-be abductors count on this. They know that while many children are taught to avoid strangers, they may not be taught to recognize abduction tactics. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® has noted the use of more than 100 of these tactics.[1] Below are some examples. Review them with your children and practice a response. The more children practice, the better prepared they will be in a real situation.

15. THE COMMON TRICKS  [ 1]Based on an analysis by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® of more than 9,000 abduction attempts occurring between Feb. 1, 2005, and Jan. 31, For more information visit 
LEARN THE TRICK
BEAT IT
THE OFFER TRICK
A child is offered something desirable — like candy, money, toys, or a ride.
THE EMERGENCY TRICK
Someone fakes an emergency and offers to take the child to another location.
Children should not accept gifts without your permission. Use teachable moments, like when a friend or relative offers a gift, to practice this concept with your child.
Instruct your child to never go anywhere with anyone without asking the permission of the adult in charge. Have your child practice saying, “I can’t go with you until I check with my mom/dad/teacher” in a firm voice and walking away.

16. THE COMMON TRICKS LEARN THE TRICK BEAT IT THE ANIMAL TRICK
A cute or interesting animal is used to get the child to follow or enter a vehicle or home
THE HELP TRICK
The child is asked to help with something such as directions, looking for a lost pet, or carrying something.
Teach your children never to walk away with or to enter anyone’s vehicle or home without your permission
Adults should ask other adults for help, not children. Have your child practice saying “I can’t help you” in in a firm voice. Teach children to stand at least one to two arms’ lengths away while interacting with unknown adults.

17. THE COMMON TRICKS LEARN THE TRICK BEAT IT THE FRIEND TRICK
A person tells the child he or she has been sent by the child’s parent. Sometimes the person actually does know the parent.
THE “BAD” CHILD TRICK
Someone accuses the child of doing something wrong and says the child must go with him or her.
Talk to your child’s school about obtaining permission from you before releasing your child to anyone.
Teach your child to always check with you or the adult in charge before going anywhere with anyone. Instruct children to immediately tell you if someone approaches them or tries to take them away.

18. THE COMMON TRICKS LEARN THE TRICK BEAT IT THE FLATTERY/MODEL TRICK
Someone compliments the child and asks to take his or her picture. The person may promise the child fame or fortune.
THE OPEN-THE-DOOR TRICK
Someone tries to get the child to answer the door when the parents aren’t home.
Instruct your child not to accompany anyone anywhere without your permission. Teach older children that a legitimate photographer or casting agency will try to talk to a parent or guardian, not a child.
Remind your children they shouldn’t open the door for anyone when you aren’t home. Let them know legitimate service people will return.

19. RESOURCES

20. 25 WAYS TO MAKE KIDS SAFER
AT HOME

21. AT HOME
1. Teach children their full names, addresses, and home telephone numbers.
Make sure they know your full name and how to reach you at work or on your cellphone.
2. Teach children how and when to call 911,
and make sure they have a trusted adult to
call if they’re scared or have an emergency.

22. AT HOME
3. Instruct children to keep doors locked and not to open doors to talk to anyone when they are home alone.
4. Choose babysitters with care. Ask children about their experiences and listen carefully to their responses.

23. 25 WAYS TO MAKE KIDS SAFER
OUT AND ABOUT

24. OUT AND ABOUT
5. Walk or drive the route to and from school with children, pointing out landmarks and safe places to go if they need help.
6. Remind children not to play alone outside, to take a friend whenever they walk or bike to school and to stay with a group when going on outings.

25. OUT AND ABOUT
7. Take children on a walking tour of the neighborhood. Tell them whose homes they may visit without you. 8. Teach children to ask permission before leaving home.

26. OUT AND ABOUT 9. Remind children it is okay to say no to
anything making them feel scared,
uncomfortable or confused. Teach children
to tell you if anything or anyone makes them
feel this way.
10. Teach children to never approach a
vehicle, occupied or not, unless they
are accompanied by a parent or other trusted adult.

27. OUT AND ABOUT
11. Caution children never to accept a ride from anyone unless you have told them it is okay to do so in each instance.
12. Teach children to check in with you if there is a change of plans.

28. OUT AND ABOUT 13. Establish a central, easy-to-locate spot
during family outings to meet should
you get separated.
14. Teach children how to locate help in
public places. Identify people they can
ask for help such as uniformed law
enforcement/security guards and
store clerks with nametags.

29. OUT AND ABOUT
15. Help children learn to recognize and avoid potential risks so they can address them if they happen.
16. Teach children if anyone tries to grab them, they should make a scene and make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming and resisting.

30. 25 WAYS TO MAKE KIDS SAFER
ONLINE

31. ONLINE 17. Continually dialogue with children about online safety.
18. Keep the computer in a high-traffic area
of your home. Monitor and establish rules
concerning your child’s online activities and
cellphone use.
19. Be aware of the type of access your child has to the Internet at school, libraries or friends’ homes.

32. ONLINE
20. Surf the Internet with your children and let them show you what they like to do online.
21. Know who is connecting with your children online and set limits for online communications including social networking, instant messaging, ing,
online gaming, and using webcams.
22. Use privacy settings on social networking sites to limit contact with unknown users, and make sure their screen names do not reveal too much information.

33. ONLINE 23. Caution children not to post revealing
information or inappropriate photos of
themselves or their friends online.
24. Encourage children to tell you if anything they encounter online makes them feel sad, scared or confused.

34. ONLINE 25. Learn about the Internet. Visit www.NetSmartz.org for more
information about Internet safety.

35. CRIME PREVENTION FOR CHILDREN
NYPD CRIME PREVENTION
CRIME PREVENTION FOR CHILDREN

36. Crime Prevention for Children
Children are naturally trusting, especially with adults. It's difficult for parents to teach children to balance this trust with caution.
Children need to learn how to react to dangerous situations using common sense to keep them safe.
Reinforce information in a gentle manner and provide effective rules to avoid dangerous situations.
This will build the self-confidence children need to handle emergencies.

37. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
It is important to realize that when developing personal safety skills in your child, they must be taught as you would teach other subjects.
Tell - the basic rules.
Show - how to do/say the rules you are teaching.
Practice - how your child should react and what they should say.

38. BASICS From an early age, children should be taught: Their full names
The names of their parents or guardians
Their addresses
Their telephone numbers with the area code

39. BASICS Children learn best from good examples:
Always lock doors and windows
Always identify your caller before opening your door

40. BASICS Keep open communication with your children
Listen to their feelings and fears about people and places with which they feel uncomfortable
Help them to learn to trust their instincts

41. STREET SAFETY
Get to know your children's friends. Keep their addresses and telephone numbers in a safe place.
Besides telling your child to avoid shortcuts, walk the neighborhood with them and show them the safe places to go, such as a trusted neighbor's house or business.

42. STREET SAFETY
Save expensive items of jewelry or clothing for special occasions. If someone demands money or other items belonging to your child, tell your child to hand them over. Make sure they know you would not be mad because his or her life is worth so much more.

43. STREET SAFETY
Encourage children to play in groups, not alone. Besides being safe, it is more fun.
Tell your children never to go with or talk to strangers. To reinforce this statement, make sure your child knows what a stranger is. It could be a man or woman; anyone that you do not know.
A stranger is anyone that YOU have not named as a safe person.

44. STREET SAFETY
It is also very important to children to be on the lookout for certain kinds of situations or actions rather than certain kinds of individuals.
Children should learn to stay away from individuals in cars or vans.
Teach them that it is okay to say NO, even to an adult.
Teach them to check with their parents or guardians before getting into a car or leaving with anyone, even someone that they know.

45. LATCHKEY CHILD SAFETY GUIDELINES
Children should be taught the following guide­lines for their safety:
Be sure that no one is near the entrance of your home before you enter. If the door is open or windows are broken when arriving home, do not enter. Go to a neighbor or friend's house and telephone police.
Seek permission from your parent or guardian before going into anyone's home.

46. LATCHKEY CHILD SAFETY GUIDELINES
If you are being followed or are in danger, go to a place where there are people, i.e. a grocery store or trusted neighbor.
When answering the telephone, tell the caller that your parents are busy and cannot come to the telephone at this time.
Never say your parents are not at home.

47. LATCHKEY CHILD SAFETY GUIDELINES
Do not open the door for anyone unless instructed by your parents, and do not let the visitor know there is no adult at home.
Tell your parents if anyone asks you to keep a secret, offers gifts or money, or asks you to take your picture.
Do not allow anyone to take a photograph of you. If they do anyway, tell your parents immediately.

48. LATCHKEY CHILD SAFETY GUIDELINES
Always tell your parents if something happened while you were on your own that made you feel uncomfortable in any way.
Wear clothing that does not display your name.
Wear your house keys in a concealed place. It may send a signal that you will be home alone if they are visibly displayed.

49. SEXUAL ABUSE - PROTECTING YOUR CHILD
Because children cannot look out for themselves, it is our responsibility as parents to foresee problems they might encounter. The most important key to child safety is open, effective communication.

50. PROTECTING YOUR CHILD
Establish an atmosphere in your home in which your child feels truly comfortable discussing sensitive matters and relating experiences in which someone may have approached the her or him in an inappropriate manner or in a way that made her or him uncomfortable.

51. PROTECTING YOUR CHILD
Children may be raised to be polite and friendly, but it's okay to say NO to anyone who tries to touch them in a way that makes them feel frightened, uncomfortable, or confused. Teach them to walk away from that person and tell a trusted adult.

52. PROTECTING YOUR CHILD
Allow your child to develop a sense of authority early on by not forcing her/him to kiss a grown-up or sit on a grown-up's lap if they don't want to.
Teach them that they have the right to choose who touches them.
Give them control and teach them that they have the right to refuse.
Children should not be asked to keep special secrets from their parents.
Always believe your child, unless it is proven otherwise.

53. REFERENCES
ts/BeHereForKids_SAFETIP.pdf vention/childsafety.shtml