THE STRANGER DANGER PROGRAM
The Strangers Program is a program that has been written by the Cheshire Junior Women's Club and taught in conjunction with the Cheshire Police Department at Cheshire Public and Private Schools. since studies show that basic values and decision-making skills are more readily learned early in life, we must teach our young children to be aware of certain situations, and to make the appropriate decisions when needed. The Strangers Program is presented in all elementary Schools public and private in grades kindergarten through fourth grade. The presentation includes teaching the children about their support system, how to identify strangers, what to do if approached by a stranger and responses to various situations with strangers. The intent of the program is to equip the children with the appropriate tools in order to make the most informed decisions and an effort is made not to alarm the children. The outline stresses to the students that a support system should always be in place at home or out in their neighborhood, also when the children are at school or out in the community. The support system is made up of parents, family members, neighbors, and relatives when the children are at home or in their neighborhood. The children are then asked to identify a support system at school, teachers, principle, support staff, crossing guards and office staff are some of the people who belong to the support system. When children are out in the community or at the shopping malls or parks they can turn to a police officer, security guard, employees of the store, or someone they know and trust as part of their support system.
The safety rules that the children are taught are as follows.
Never talk to strangers.
Never accept candy or gifts from a stranger.
Never go anywhere with a stranger.
No matter what story a stranger may tell you never get near or into his or her car.
Make sure that children know their full name, address and telephone number.
Always try to walk with a friend or a grown-up.
If a stranger grabs you, yell as loud as you can for help.
Never go with a stranger to find a lost puppy.
Never go to deserted places alone.
Never let a stranger get too close, whether he or she is in a car or walking.
Children should go to a store clerk, security guard or police officer for help if lost in a mall.
Children should be accompanied to public restrooms.
Children should not play alone on playgrounds.
Talk about safe places they can go in their neighborhood in an emergency with their parents.
Children should walk and play with friends and avoid places that could be dangerous.
Avoid strangers who hang around playgrounds, public restrooms, empty buildings, etc.
Never take a gun knives or other weapons to school.
Never allow anyone into the home without the parents permission, always use locks and alarm.
Never let a caller at the door or on the telephone know that they are alone.
Check in with a parent or trusted neighbor immediately after arriving home.
Take the safest routes to and from school, stores, and friends houses.
Walk confidently. Be alert.
Know how to escape a house in case of fire.
Never allow anyone to touch their private parts. Always tell their parents or someone they trust. Never keep secrets about bad touches -- children have a right to say NO.
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