A stranger is someone you do not know. Most strangers are nice people, but because you cannot tell who is safe and who is not, there are important rules to follow: never go with a stranger, always tell a trusted adult, and trust your gut feeling if something feels wrong.
Role-play scenarios: "What would you do if a stranger asked you to get in their car?" Practice saying "No!" loudly and running to a safe adult. Make a list of trusted adults. Discuss the difference between a stranger and a trusted community helper (police officer, firefighter, teacher).
Children often think strangers always look scary or mean. In reality, people who want to harm children usually look friendly and normal. Some children think they should never talk to any adult they do not know, which can be a problem if they need to ask for help in an emergency.
A stranger is any person you do not know. Here is the thing about strangers: most of them are perfectly nice, regular people. The person standing behind you in line at the store, the jogger running past on the sidewalk, the family sitting at the next table — they are all strangers, and they are almost certainly harmless. The problem is that you cannot tell who is safe and who is not just by looking at them.
That is why there are a few simple rules that keep you safe. Never go anywhere with a stranger, even if they seem friendly, offer you a gift, or say your parents sent them. If a stranger tries to get you to go with them or makes you feel uncomfortable, say "No!" as loudly as you can, get away, and tell a trusted adult right away. You are allowed to be rude in a dangerous situation — your safety is more important than being polite.
It helps to know who your trusted adults are before you ever need them. A trusted adult is someone you know, who has earned your trust, and who can help keep you safe — like a parent, grandparent, teacher, school counselor, or family friend. In an emergency, community helpers like police officers and firefighters are also safe adults to approach. If you are ever lost in a store or public place, find someone who works there or a parent with children and ask for help. The most important thing is to trust your own feelings. If something feels wrong — even if you cannot explain exactly why — pay attention to that feeling and get to a trusted adult. Your instincts are smarter than you think.
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