Explaining Who a Stranger Is And Other Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is a time for goblins and scary stuff. It's a time when friends and family members pose as strangers in costume all in good fun. For most kids, all of the scary stuff is what makes it such an exciting event. But for many kids, it's strangers who pose a more threatening presence than the "scary stuff." Yes, it's sad that we live in a time when we must caution our children over and over about not talking to strangers, not taking rides from strangers, and not going off with a stranger no matter how hard they try to entice them.

But while parents believe they did the proper thing by warning little ones about the sorrows and dangers of following a stranger anywhere, the truth is, many kids are still mixed up about the term "stranger." Since all of our children are about to embark on that exciting tradition of Trick or Treat night, this is a perfect time to reiterate the meaning of the word "stranger" when cautioning your child against the dangers of the night.

Although many parents simplify the discussion of "not going with strangers" when speaking to little ones, what your little guy or gal interprets from that talk may be quite different than what was intended. One little guy of four years of age, was given the routine speech about not talking to strangers by his conscientious mom. But the next time they were in the cashier's line in the grocery store and mother exchanged a few greetings with the cashier, little Keith fully critiqued mom's actions, "But mom, why can't I talk to strangers when you just did?"

So you see, the job of informing your kids about strangers, becomes increasingly complex given the wide range of interpretations kids have concerning the meaning of strangers. After all, how do you explain which strangers are safe to talk to and which strangers are bad? Why is it all right to break that rule when an emergency happens at home or your car breaks down on the road and you have to stop the next oncoming car even though a stranger is driving? You see how confusing this seemingly simple concept is for the kids to fully comprehend the meaning of stranger. Talk about scary…this whole discussion gets scary for the most well-intended, highly informed and well-meaning parent, as any parents' goal is to keep their child safe from harm.

But alas, Dr. Mom is here to pass along a few helpful tips when you have the "stranger discussion" with your little one. There is no better time then right now with Halloween around the corner. Days are shorter, shadows darken the sidewalks, and sad to say, ill-meaning strangers may very well attempt to coax, tease, or entrap our children. So, what better time to arm your girl and boy with further bits of wisdom about how to distinguish good strangers and bad strangers. If your little one is eager to please, open and loving and trusting and naïve-as most are; he or she may be most vulnerable and very much in need of deeper discussions on the topic of safety with strangers. The following suggestions may strengthen the concepts of safety that you are trying to convey to your child, pre-teen or teenager.

1. After defining "stranger" for your child, ask for feedback concerning what was said. See if the real meaning of the words were well received.
2. Describe various scenarios in which a stranger should be avoided in your neighborhood. Again, ask for feedback from your child on what he or she thinks about it.
3. Describe a typical get-away plan if a stranger ever approaches.
4. Prepare a special code word to be used in cases of emergency.
5. Keep an 800 number and teach it to your child as early as possible, along with teaching him or her how to dial a pay phone in cases of emergency.
6. Teach your child to listen to his or her sensations when approached by a stranger.
7. Warn your child never to enter a stranger's home, no matter what gifts or tricks or treats are offered by the stranger.
8. Prepare your child on emergency plans if anyone, even well known neighbors or associates, ask them to do something that is against house rules, such as entering their home rather than taking the treat at the door.
9. Reinforce the need for your child to stick close to the parents or friends who are trick or treating together rather than not paying attention and getting left behind.
10. Provide your child with a flash light or fluorescent wand and teach him to wave in a special code if he or she feels that trouble is lurking nearby.
11. Rehearse way of acting natural but finding an excuse for getting away from a potential kidnapper, such as using the restroom or forgetting an item in a store that requires him or her to go back and retrieve it, thus providing a means of getting away.
12. Teach your child to be observant and check surroundings with minimal effort but by scanning a place or room visually.

1. Do not eat any treats until arrived home and a parent has inspected it.
2. Stay close to friends and groups who trick or treat together.
3. Keep pants, skirts and costumes high enough to avoid tripping.
4. Provide carry bags that a child could put over the shoulder to keep hands free if running becomes necessary.
5. Provide your child with white or brightly colored shores and clothing to stay visual to the casual driver.
6. Test the flashlight batteries or florescent want batteries before Halloween arrives.
7. If you have family cell phones, be sure the home is on speed dial in case of emergency.
8. . Role plays scenarios of safety with your child or teen before they leave the home.
9. Caution your children against getting too close to persons passing out candy, too close to a car window no matter what the driver offers for a treat.
10. If your older child wants to trick or treat independent of parental closeness, form a walking group with other parents and follow far enough behind to keep an eye on your child's Tick or Treat path.
11. Develop a path route that will be acceptable in your neighborhood.
12. Find a community Halloween party and stay off the streets altogether.