Hutchinson Heights Neighborhood Association

SAFETY TIPS

Sep 13, 1999

STRANGER DANGER

Parents! Are you talking to your children about safety when walking to and from school? When was the last time you discussed "Stranger Danger"? As the new school year is now in full swing, APD Safety Officer Debbie Dinsmoor reminds us that now is also the time when strangers approach children and may try to entice young people to with them or become involved in inappropriate activities.

Please take the time to define a "stranger" as someone you don't know. The types of enticements strangers use to encourage children to go with them; toys, money, food or favors.

Children should be reminded to NEVER go anywhere with a stranger. It is also important that the youngster immediate run away from the stranger and tell a "responsible adult" about what has happened.

Finally, remind children that no adult, even a "responsible adult", should ever ask a youngster to keep something between them and the youngster secret.

Officer Debbie also reminds us that not all "responsible adults" are as they seem. It is important for you, as parents and guardians, to monitor relationships between your child and adults. Should you notice any unusual attention being paid to your youngster by any adult, specificaaly in the form of OUT OF THE ORDINARY praise, gifts or "secrets", you are urged to investigate the stiuation. There may be a resonable explanation or there may not be. If the explanation offered does not satisfy you, you may wish to terminate the relationship between your youngster and that adult.

Be safe, and help your youngster be safe!