Stranger Danger: Street Proofing Your Kids

Skagit County, WA:  There have been two reported child safety incidents in the last several weeks in Skagit County. In one incident in early March an 11 year old girl reported that she was grabbed by a man at her bus stop in the 12000 block of Bayhill drive.  The girl was able to escape and described the man as being in his late teens to early 20’s  about 5 feet, 10 inches tall with a slender build.   She said he was  light-skinned wearing a dark-colored hoodie. In the second incident, an unknown male in a silver car with flames on it pulled into a driveway and  was “watching” children in the Cook Road area.  Schools in the area sent out safety warning notices to parents and they have been asked to call 9-1-1 if they see anything suspicious.

There was an attempted abduction reported today in Canada as well.  In this incident the man offered the young girl an ipod or ipad if she got in the car with him.  View the  link and suspect information by clicking here:

 

While incidents of child abduction are rare, and the above attempt was in “another Country”, it still reminds us that we need to really reinforce basic safety principles with our children (and teens)  in order to educate and prepare them should they be approached.

Here are some tips from the Canadian RCMP on “Street Proofing” your children.

 

• Know your home address and home phone number and how to contact your parents on their cell phones or at work.
• Know how and when to call 9-1-1 in an emergency situation: at home, from a cell, and from a public telephone.
• Travel and play in groups, regardless of your age. The popular ‘buddy system’ works best. If you become separated or lost, tell someone with a name tag (e.g. a cashier or security guard) right away; if there is no one with a name tag, preferably tell a female.
• Be polite, but avoid long conversation with strangers. If someone you don’t know asks you a lot of personal questions, like where you live, Do Not Answer, just run away.
• Don’t be afraid to say NO to adults who ask you to do something for them, like find a lost pet, join them in an activity, or give them directions.
• Never accept a ride or gifts from strangers, or even someone you may know, without checking with your parents first. Keep a safe distance (two arm lengths) from strangers and cars that approach you.
• Establish a secret word or phrase for your family. This should be used in emergencies to identify a ‘safe person’ other than their parent or child giver.
• If a person tries to grab you, scream loudly, make a lot of noise, and create a disturbance (e.g. knock things over, scatter belongings, kick wildly). Shout Help, this person is not my parent!
• Do not wear headphones or use portable electronic devices that can distract you from your surroundings when you are walking in the neighbourhood.
• If you are taking a public bus home, sit near the front of the bus, near the driver.
• Play ‘what if’ games with younger children to reinforce these safety messages.

Source: RCMP Website here