Raising streetwise kids is essential for keeping them safe. So, here are 8 tips for being street smart.
Being street smart essentially means making sure your kids know how to recognise, and keep safe from, strangers when you're not around to look after them.
Whether they're walking to school or to the bus, hanging out at the playground, or riding their bike, being street smart helps them stay safe.
8 tips for being street smart
We're not here to terrify you into locking your kids in the house.
It's important to point out that most strangers aren't dangerous and wouldn't do anything to hurt kids.
But unfortunately, some strangers can be dangerous, and it's not always possible to tell who's OK and who's not.
That's why it's important to teach your kids the following non-negotiable safety rules:
- Make your whereabouts known: As a parent, you need to know where your kids are at all times.
- Stick with a friend: There's safety in numbers so always encourage you child to stick with a pal. Traveling with a bunch of kids is even better.
- Pick out safe spots: Safe spots are places where your kids can go if they need help, like relatives' houses or the houses of kids they know, your friends' houses, stores, restaurants, police stations, libraries, and fire departments.
- Avoid places that aren't safe: Always ensure your kids keep away from isolated areas. These are strict no-go areas.
- Let grown-ups (and only grown-ups) help strangers: If a stranger approaches your child and asks for help, make sure they know to walk away immediately. They can look for a safe spot or, if they feel in danger, yell for help.
- Stay away from strangers' cars: If a stranger pulls up in a car and offers your child a ride, they should NEVER get in. That means not even looking inside, or stepping closer to the vehicle. If a stranger offers them a toy, candy, or anything else, you need to teach them that they NEVER accept it. Encourage them to get to an adult, a police officer, a security guard, or one of their safe spots. And make sure they know you'd never send a stranger to pick them up from school. Even if the stranger knows their name!
- Make a lot of noise if they're scared: Teach your kids to yell and scream and create chaos if they think they're in danger. People in the area will hear what's going on and help.
- Trust your instincts: Encourage your kids to trust their instinct, and that if it's telling them something is dangerous or just not quite right, run, tell an adult, or call 119.