Lucia Raatma - Safety Around Strangers

Published in the United States of America by The Childs World
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Copyright 2005 by The Childs World
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Raatma, Lucia.
Safety around strangers / by Lucia Raatma.
v. cm. (Living well)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents: A day at the parkWho is a stranger?The people in your neighborhoodOn the
phone or internetStrangers at your schoolKeeping yourself safeGlossaryQuestions and
answers about strangers and safetyHelping a friend learn about strangers and safetyDid you
know?How to learn more about strangers and safety.
ISBN 1-59296-244-0 (library bound : alk. paper)
1. Safety educationJuvenile literature. 2. Children and strangersJuvenile literature. 3.
AbductionPreventionJuvenile literature. [1. Safety. 2. Strangers. 3. KidnappingPrevention.]
I. Title. II. Living well (Childs World (Firm))
HQ770.7.R27 2005
613.6'083--dc22 2003027216

Subject Consultant:
Bridget Clementi,
Safe Kids Coordinator,
Childrens Health
Education Center,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE

A Day at the Park

I t was a warm, sunny day, and Joseph was enjoying the neighbor
hood park. His mom was on a bench across the pond. She was
holding Josephs little brother and talking to a friend. Joseph went

Its fun to spend a day at the park with your mom or dad. If you follow
a few simple rules, you can stay safe and have a good time.

Joseph was swinging when a man approached him about a lost puppy. Although he
wanted to help, he realized he needed to be careful when talking to a stranger.

back and forth on his swing, pumping his legs harder each time.

Then he heard a voice behind him say, Young man, I have
lost my little black puppy. Could you help me find him?

Joseph turned to see a man standing near the swings. He was
holding a leash and looked upset. Joseph loved puppies, and he
hated to think that one was lost. But this man was a stranger. His

mom had always told him to be careful around strangers. He
remembered her saying that sometimes they try to trick you.

Joseph looked at the man. Then he looked at his mom on the
bench. She was still talking to her friend.

Im sorry about your
puppy, Joseph said. He got off
the swing and started moving
away from the man. But I am
not allowed to go anywhere with
strangers. Then he pointed to
the bench. My mom has a cell
phone if you want to call a
friend to help you. Or maybe
the police can help.

Some strangers are nice, but it is still a good idea to
be cautious around people you do not know.

If a stranger makes you feel uncomfortable or pressures you in any way, yell for help.

Suddenly, the man looked nervous. Uh, no, thats OK, he
answered. Now Joseph was sure the man had tried to trick him.

Mom! he yelled, as he jumped off the swing and ran toward
her. That man wanted me to go with him!

Josephs mother looked up and saw the man run into the trees.
She used her cell phone and called 9-1-1. Police officers arrived

When you call the police about a stranger, try to give them a detailed description of that person.

within a few minutes. Joseph and his mom gave a description of the
man to the police.

Good job, one police officer told Joseph. You did the right
thing and stayed safe.

CHAPTER TWO

Who Is a Stranger?

Y ou see strangers every day. Your postal carrier is probably a
stranger. So are many of the people you see in the grocery story
or the park. Strangers are people you either do not know or do

Even if you see someone every day, that person may be a stranger. Although the postal
carrier regularly brings mail to your house, you probably do not know him very well.

not know well. Your next-door neighbors are probably not
strangers. And your best friends parents are probably not
strangers. But the people who just moved in across the street are
strangers until you and your
family get to know them.
Your parents can help
explain who strangers are.

Most strangers are nice.
They might say hi to you. If
you are with your parents or
another adult, it is OK to
say hi back. But if you are
by yourself or with other