Child safety concerns sharpened

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — In light of the recent situation at the Gentle Memorial Building (Rec Center) when a young boy apparently foiled his attempted abduction by a stranger, parents may want to begin or renew discussions about safety with their children.
    The following tips are on the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) website to help your children protect themselves. Parents can discuss the following with their children:
    Know your name, address, and phone number.
    Use the buddy system – avoid walking anywhere alone.
    Trust your instincts – if you feel you are being followed or something is not right, seek help immediately.
    If a stranger approaches you, you do not have to speak to him or her. Never approach a stranger in a motor vehicle. Just keep walking.
    Do not accept candy or any other items from a stranger.
    Never walk off with a stranger no matter what he or she tells you.
    If someone is following you, try to remember the license plate of his or her vehicle and immediately tell a trusted adult.
    If a stranger grabs you, do everything you can to stop him or her from pulling you away or dragging you into his or her car. Drop to the ground, kick, hit, bite, and scream. Do whatever it takes to attract the attention of others who can help you.
    If someone is dragging you away, scream, “this is not my dad,” or “this is not my mom.”
    The website also states that the best way to teach stranger-danger lessons is through role-playing scenarios. The parent of the young boy who walked away from the stranger said she also used news stories as learning opportunities to help protect her children.