Beware of stranger danger this summer

PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) – Stranger danger. Many kids and even some parents would say this phrase is cliché and roll their eyes, but stranger danger is a legitimate hazard.

According to LetGrow.org, the odds of a child aged 0-17 being kidnapped are 1 to 720,000. Although kidnapping is becoming a rarity, the odds are still greater than zero.

Two kids told 59News that their parents taught them several different rules to help them avoid stranger danger. Owen Skeens and Emery Hammond said, “Know what’s up. Spot red flags. No blame, no shame. Don’t even get in a car with a stranger.”

One of their parents, Matthew Skeens, said, “We just inform them of that and go through safe practices about who to trust, who you can’t trust, like don’t get near anybody that is a stranger, that you know is not family. If you think something is out of line, or anything like that, come and find your parents, are always with them.”

While these are great rules, there are other precautions that can be taken by parents. Matthew also told 59News about some programs that can be implemented to help ensure your kids’ and community’s safety.

“Maybe a neighborhood watch program. Something like that [to] be able to talk with their kids and sit down and explain to them or go through a practice, like they have in schools,” said Matthew. “If it’s not going on at school, then it shouldn’t happen at home.”

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