As summer approaches, it's time to think about how you'll teach your kids to stay safe when they're out and about playing in the neighborhood, at parks or even away at camp. But there's a fine line between teaching your kids smart tactics for dealing with strangers and scaring them so much they don't want to leave the house without you. The lessons are important, so teach them with care and tact. Modeling behavior that involves personal, physical boundaries from a young age is a good start. Demonstrating the right ways to discuss private parts and rights over one's body is helpful for kids in dealing with their friends, and ultimately, anyone who might try to touch them inappropriately. Impress upon children that when they're unsupervised, it's never OK to get into a stranger's car. A good rule of thumb for kids is to keep strangers at arm's length so that they can escape if need be. Teach them that it's OK to tell a stranger "no" - even if it seems rude. The rule of "don't ever talk to strangers" might be misleading for kids, so try not to make it an "ultimate" rule.
After all, if children need help, then they may need to rely on a safe stranger, such as a security guard, police officer or other authority figure. If they feel they can't talk to any of those people at all, then it may set up a dangerous situation. Giving the child examples of these "safe" adults who they can seek out if they need help is important - show them what police officers might look like, or tell them to find a woman with children to help if no one else is available. While they're home this summer, lay down the law about safe ways to answer the door. A peep hole or glass partition in a locked door are good ways to show kids who's at the door. Younger children may be allowed to open the door for other kids but no adults. Conversely, older children left home alone may not be allowed to open the door for anyone. Making your children alert and aware - not frightened and introverted - is the best way to handle stranger danger.