Odds are, you're already well-acquainted with the phrase, "Stranger Danger. "

This famous slogan has been many parent's prime - defence against the dangers of the outside world. But, repeating a decades-old saying is not always enough to keep your children safe from those who may do them harm.

If you want to keep your child safe while they're out in the world, there are a few more things you'll need to discuss, rules you'll need to lay down, and plans you'll need to make.

Want to talk to your children about "stranger danger" but aren't sure where to start? We're here to help.

Here's everything you need to know about how to discuss safety and the dangers of talking to strangers with your kids.

The Truth About Stranger Danger

Creepy guys passing out candy in vans exist — but they aren't as common as you may think.

Let's start at the beginning.

The phrase "Stranger Danger" came out of the 60s after news organizations reported on a horrific rash of crimes against children across the UK and United States.

Most people did not know how to react to this particular brand of violence. So, this simple slogan came out of the knee-jerk reaction to try to explain those crimes and protect other children.

Unfortunately, "stranger danger" only encompasses a small portion of violence against children. The harsh reality is that the perpetrators who commit crimes against children are usually people they know and trust.

Teaching kids to be wary of all strangers can backfire too. There are plenty of people your child doesn't know who can help them if they run into trouble, like police officers, teachers, and even shop keepers.

That's not to say all strangers are safe, but rather that danger can come from anywhere. So, it pays to talk to your child about potential risks and create a plan to keep them safe.

Talking to Your Kids About Stranger Danger

Unfortunately, you can't just keep your kids locked up at home forever. But, you can help prepare them to handle the dangers of the outside world.

Now that you know a bit more about what stranger danger means and its flaws, it's time to discuss how you're going to prepare your child to be safe whenever they leave the house.

Here are a few things every parent should do or talk about to help keep their child safe no matter where they roam.

Keep Them in Your Sight

There's nothing more terrifying as a parent than looking away for one moment and realizing your child has vanished from sight.

Unfortunately, kids are fast. So it only takes a second or two for them to wander off where you can't see them. And, that could lead to a dangerous situation.

Parents have been telling their children, "not to leave their sight" for generations. But, there's a good chance your child doesn't know what you can and cannot see.

A better trick is to flip the script and tell them to stay where they can see you.

If your child wanders away on the playground, there's a good chance they won't realize you can't see them. But, as soon as they notice they can't see you, they'll high-tail it back to wherever you are.

Teach Them Who to Trust

One of the most significant flaws in the traditional teachings of "stranger danger" is the fact that it can keep children from asking for help when they need it.

There are dozens of potential situations in your child's life where they would need to ask a stranger for help — it's a matter of knowing who to trust.

For example, say your child was to get separated from you in a store. The best thing they could do in this situation would be to find someone who worked there, say at a register or with a nametag, and ask for assistance.

If your child is particularly shy, you can give them something like our Active X band or Emergency Information wallet card, to help the adult they find identify them and contact you.

Have Them Memorize Vital Information

If there's one thing little kids love to do, it's to learn, memorize and parrot back bits of information. And this can come in handy when helping them create a safety plan.

Your child probably calls you Mum or Dad, but depending on how old they are, they may not know your name.

Work with your child to have them learn and memorize your name, at least one phone number, their address, and any other significant information they may need to know in an emergency.

You may also want to consider giving them an emergency bracelet or medical ID necklace inscribed with any vital information to make sure they always have a way to contact you.

Safety in Numbers

The buddy system is a tried and true method of staying safe while away from home.

As your children get older and start looking for a bit more independence, teach them the value of bringing a friend with them when they venture off on their own.

Don't Take Anything

As we said before, while creepy people in vans are rare, they are real — and they don't always pass out candy.

You should teach your children not to take anything from adults they do not know. This rule includes things like toys or rides.

Work with your child to create a response plan, so if a stranger in a car approaches them, they'll know how to respond.

You should also talk to your child about situations in which they can take things from people they do not know.

These types of situations include things like school events or a friend's birthday party.

That said, if your child has any allergies, you may want to consider having them wear an allergy alert bracelet, so other trusted adults know not to give them specific foods or medications.

Create an Action Plan

As a parent, you're already well aware that there's no such thing as being too prepared. You keep a first aid kit on hand at all times and have contingency plans for any medical-related emergencies. So, why shouldn't you prepare for "stranger danger" related ones?

Work with your child to create a series of action plans they can use to keep themselves safe should they find themselves in a dangerous situation.

If you're going out to a public place, such as a park, pick a highly visible meeting spot your child should go to if you get separated.

If you're going out to a place like a zoo or a theme-park, help your child identify what the employees look like so they can find help should need it.

And finally, if you have older children, you may want to consider getting them a starter phone and teaching them about how to dial emergency services.

If your child should ever need to contact the police or medical services, having a medical ID band can not only help them receive the care they need but help you find them.

How to Protect Your Children

While "stranger danger" may be a flawed philosophy, it is a decent starting point for teaching your children about how to stay safe while away from home.

By following this advice, you can give your child the information and tools they need to protect themselves no matter where they wander.

Are you looking for more advice or ways to keep your children safe? We're here to help.

Check out the rest of our blog for more helpful articles, and feel free to contact us for more information about our products and services today.