Stranger Safety DVD ReviewStranger Safety is a video put together by Baby Einstein creator, Julie Clark, and America’s Most Wanted Host, John Walsh. It is an excellent resource to assist you in building the personal security of your child. In this article, I will summarize and comment on the video Stranger Safety, which can be found at their online store. The link is provided at the bottom of this page. This video is one of two teaching videos developed by The Safe Side. Their motto is “smart, cool, safe™”. When children are trained in how to be “smart” in recognizing danger, in being cautious, “cool” and thinking things through, this will lead to the reward of staying safe. The main character is “Safe Side Superchick” who is a silly character with a serious message. She and her friends (animal and human) act out common scenarios and discuss safe choices, teaching easy to understand “hot tips”. For the benefit of your immediate personal safety, I will repeat their hot tips: 1. Always be able to see your Safe Side adult. If you can see them, they can see you and get to you fast. 2. Never open the front door without your Safe Side adult. 3. Don’t speak to a grown-up you don’t know unless your Safe Side adult is with you. 4. Don’t let anyone inside your Safe Side circle. Run. 5. Ask your Safe Side adult to give you 3 other Safe Side adults. 6. Think. And be aware of tricks. 7. Never go anywhere with a kind-of-know without asking your Safe Side adult first. For a better understanding of these child safety tips, I HIGHLY recommend you purchase Stranger Safety and watch it with your child/ren (grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc) and discuss it. Re-watch Stranger Safety monthly, or more often with younger children. Children integrate small pieces of information at a time and these videos are sure to build onto their child safety principles each time they watch. My first concern was one which appeared to be in conflict with our own family’s values. It teaches children to yell “This is not my mother!” and run away from any unknown adult who tries to talk with you. I have silly flashes of children running around the grocery store screaming every time an adult looks at them, says hello, or reaches for a box near them. I have to giggle. Instead we teach that if an adult you do not know, or only kind of know, reaches for you, … to walk away. If someone grabs you, then yell (and kick, scream, poke, bite…) When combined with the other “hot tips”, I do not think there is a genuine criticism on my part. This is why it is best for adults to watch the video with their children, discuss the tips, and act them out. Each family needs to add their own flavor to the mix.
My second concern was the “Safe Side” circle. It is at least 10 feet in either direction. I wish they’d specify that an adult (or teenager) who is not with children need not be anywhere near you. However, another mother pushing her child on a swing at the park isn’t going to be 10 feet away. There go those silly flashes of children running around the park screaming “This is not my mother!” Each family must take time in their discussions on child safety to include emergency situations. We cannot have our children screaming and trying to run from rescue workers. Again, when combined with the other “hot tips”, I do not think there is a genuine concern on my part. Better safe than sorry, right? Better yet, purchase this video for yourself and watch it with your child. Then take the time to discuss the tips with your own family’s twist on it. Honestly, this is not another boring video. All-in-all, I highly recommend this video to assist you in your discussion on child safety. This is the key word: discussion. These are excellent tips to memorize and follow. The video was entertaining for an 8-year-old, a 22-year-old, and me (grown-up Mom). It reinforced what we knew, added to what we did not, and encouraged healthy and informative communication. I honestly look forward to watching it again.
In agreement with The Safe Side motto, we encourage each of you to secure your environments by being “smart, cool, safe™”! Watch the video and use it to teach and discuss personal security with your child. …and remember… you haven’t taught it until they’ve learned it… You are never too young to be security-minded! At the website for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children you will find resources for parents and guardians that will assist you in protecting the personal security of your child.
Click here to go to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
|
