Pet Ploys

• Because children love pets, dangerous strangers often use pets as incentives (or bait) to get children to talk to them. In some instances, people even ask the child if he or she would like to come home with them and feed the pet. Furthermore, many would-be abductors begin by saying, "Can you help me find my dog?" Try role-playing this situation with your child so he knows what to say if a stranger tries this tactic.
  
  

Family Emergencies

• This well-known tactic is used by strangers who approach your child and tell her that you or another family member is in the hospital. Before beginning the role play, let your child know that only a parent or another close family member would deliver this information to him or her. A good way of role-playing this situation is to have a friend drive up to your child and present the emergency to him or her. Teach your child to decline the offer and seek help from a teacher or other adult.
  
  

Strangers in Need of Help

• Some strangers try to appeal to the helpful nature of children by claiming to be hurt or lost. Teach your child to walk away from these sorts of appeals, as giving directions to a stranger could lead to a more dangerous request, such as asking the child to lead the way there. When role-playing the situation, teach your child to find a nearby trusted adult, such as a teacher or neighbor, to report the stranger.
  
  

"What If" Games

• Using the "what if" tactic provides a starting point for you and your child to ask each other questions regarding hypothetical situations and behaviours. Some common questions are, "What would you do if you got lost in the mall?" or "What if a stranger asks me for directions?" These sorts of questions help your child think about various situations and you can help provide him with the safest approach to each.
  
  

Additional Tips

• Don't write your child's name on the outside of possessions, as saying the child's name is a common way for strangers to make children feel they know each other. Ask a friend to play the stranger in the role-playing situations so you can observe your child's reactions. Additionally, in case of emergencies, create a code word for you and your child to use as a sort of password. Therefore, if you need to send someone else to pick up your child, that person must say the code word before your child consents to accompany the person. Lastly, teach your child to fight back if a stranger tries to abduct them, as doing so should attract the attention of nearby people who can help.