The Calgary Police Service is encouraging parents to proactively discuss personal safety with their children, framing these vital lessons as routine, non-scary conversations that build confidence and awareness.
In a public awareness notice shared via social media, police highlighted that educating young people on personal safety helps them identify potentially dangerous scenarios and quickly seek assistance when needed. Officers advise parents to clearly define what a stranger is, making sure kids understand that a stranger is simply anyone they do not know, regardless of how friendly they may seem. Parents should reinforce that children should never accept rides, gifts, treats, or invitations from unfamiliar individuals under any circumstances.
To maintain everyday physical safety, police recommend establishing set boundaries by having children stick to pre-approved play areas and daily travel routes. Families are also urged to identify a clear network of trusted adults whom children can approach immediately if they ever feel lost, frightened, or unsafe.
Calgary Police stress that safety education works best when it is an ongoing process. Parents are advised to regularly engage in open discussions and role-play hypothetical scenarios with their children, giving young people practical experience in making smart decisions during unexpected situations.