Stranger Danger Archives - Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate

A dark and secluded stairwell can be a very dangerous place

You lead a busy life. Your children are enrolled in self defence classes or martial arts training. They have learned about safety awareness. Please see this post, entitled Top Twenty Kids Stranger Danger Tips for Child Safety. But who is looking out for you when out on your own? Preparation and prevention are your best tools. Here are some simple tips to keep you safe.

Car Safety

When parking in the carpark, especially at night, park as close as possible to the overhead lights. A car that is parked in a well-lit area is less attractive to criminals. Also, it will be easier to see into the back-seat and floor, which is ALWAYS where you should look before you open your car door. Have the emergency number on your speed dial if you need it. Ask a store manager or security guard to accompany you to your car if you feel anxious.

When approaching the vehicle, in fact, when you leave the store, or other place, have the keys in your hand with the car key between your thumb and index finger. This serves two purposes. You will be able to get into your car faster if you feel threatened, and second, you can use it as a weapon if attacked. Immediately lock all doors when you get in the car and leave.

Never pull your car over, especially at night or at a secluded location. Attackers sometimes try to get their victims to the side of the road by motioning that they have a flat tire or other problem. Also, don’t stop to help anyone who is off on the side of the road with car trouble, even if it is a woman or they have a child. It may be a trap.

Never, ever get into a vehicle with an attacker, even if they have a weapon. Cause a loud commotion instead, and run away. Punch and kick if necessary. Your chances of survival greatly decrease if you go with them, and most likely, attackers will move on to an easier victim.

If you are ever thrown into the trunk or boot of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won’t see you, but others will.

Public Transportation Safety

Wait in well-lit, highly populated areas for transportation to arrive. Find a seat near the driver, and preferably, many other passengers. Avoid window seats, as this could allow an attacker to trap you. Stick with aisle seats near doors, so you can exit in a hurry.

Be aware of your surroundings. Stay off the mobile phone and iPod as you need all your senses, especially at night. You must focus on your surroundings, as a distracted person is always a target.

Safety When Out and About

If you are being followed by a car, run back in the direction from which you came. The car will have to turn around to continue following you, which will be make it more difficult for them, and will buy you time to get to a safe place, where there are lots of LIGHTS AND PEOPLE.

Always take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are dangerous places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at night.

Keep yourself fit. A stronger, fitter person is always a harder target for the bad guys (sorry to be sexist but they are almost always going to be male). Be able to run if you have to.

Trust your instincts. If someone makes you feel uneasy, there is a good reason for it. Avoid them.

Home Safety

If you are entering your house, and sense something is amiss, make plenty of noise, and if alone, pretend you are with someone. Say something like “Honey, bring in the dog from the car please”. Never mind what the neighbours will think. Surprised robbers are often violent; this gives them a chance to escape. If a door or window is ajar, or broken, do not enter. Call the police and wait with a neighbour for them to arrive.

Self Defence or Martial Arts Training

It is advisable to learn at least the basics of self defence. Many attacks are thwarted with a simple punch or kick to an unsuspecting attacker. You read about stories like this often in the newspapers. We offer martial arts classes for adults at selected locations around Sydney. Another benefit; you can train and practice at home with your children, helping them.

Any other safety and self defence tips for moms are welcome.

Two big no-no's. A stranger in a car offering candy. For illustrative purposes only. Zoltan here is one of our instructors, and a good guy.

What your children should know about stranger danger

Are all strangers bad people? No. Your children need to know this. But they also need to know that because we don’t know a stranger, we must be careful how we deal with them. Here are some rules that will help your children make wise decisions about their safety with strangers. There is a lot of information here, so it is better to discuss one area at a time with your children.

Being careful with strangers

Do not talk to strangers. Talking to them makes it easier for them to trick you. Say “go ask an adult”. This is not being rude, it is being safe.

Do not tell a stranger your name and address. It is none of their business.

Keep your distance from a stranger. You do not want them to get close enough to grab you. At least two arms lengths is a good rule of thumb. No one has the right to touch you or make you feel uncomfortable. Yell “No!” It is your right. Tell your parents as soon as possible if this happens.

Never accept a gift, candy, or anything from a stranger. Tell your parents if a stranger offers you something.

Never help a stranger if they ask you to find a lost dog, cat, or anything. This is likely to be a trick. Grown-ups who need help should ask other grown-ups.

Never help a grown-up with directions. Again, grown-ups should ask grown-ups for help.

Never go near a car with a stranger in it. Don’t get in any car without your parents permission. If a car stops near you, do not go near it.

Never go anywhere with a stranger, even if they say they know your parents. Your parents would never ask a stranger to pick you up.

Being careful outside

Don’t walk around alone, try to stay with friends, parents, or other relatives.

When you are out in public, make sure your parents can always see you.

Do not take short cuts through bush/park lands or down dark alleys. Stay on the heavily traveled streets, where there is lots of activity. Stay away from places where there are no people around.

Be alert to your surroundings. If you have your music blasting away on the iPod, it is hard to stay alert.

If you sense trouble

If someone is following you or chasing you, go to where there are lots of people and lots of bright lights. Bad guys don’t want witnesses. Run to a police station, fire station, a trusted neighbors house, or somewhere your parents say is safe.

Run away as fast as you can if you sense danger. It is better to run than to try to fight an adult who is three times your size. Strike, kick, scratch, and bite if you have no other choice.

If someone grabs you, yell at the top of your voice “I don’t know this person”.

Scream. Your voice is your best weapon. This will draw attention to the bad guy. Bad guys do not like attention.

Trust that little voice inside you that says “something about this person is not right”. The little voice is rarely wrong.

Kids home safety

Know your home/parents phone number and your address. Also know how to call emergency.

Never answer the door alone. Make sure your parents are in the room if you answer it.

Never tell a phone caller your name or address. If you are home alone, tell them your parents are busy and will call them back. Never, ever tell them you are alone.

Martial arts can help

Martial arts can give kids a last line of defence against attackers, but their best defence is being smart about stranger danger. Help your children to be smart by taking the time to make sure they understand these important rules.

Top Twenty Kids Stranger Danger Tips for Child Safety is an original article by Sensei Matt Klein