“Honesty is the best policy.” Almost every child remembers this phrase by heart, likely because parents constantly remind children that telling the truth is one of the most important values in life. However, there are times when children should know that lying can save them from ugly situations. When it comes to safety, children need to understand that small lies can sometimes act as a shield, and help them stay away from dangerous situations.
Here are the five “safety lies” every parent should teach their children:
6 May 2026 | 16:50
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“Yes, my parents are at home.”
Imagine a stranger comes to your door and asks your child, “Are your mom and dad at home?” In such a situation, a child should never reveal whether they are alone or not. Teach them to say, “Yes, my parents are at home,” even if they are not. Sharing details about who is inside the house can put children at risk.
“My parents are coming to pick me up.”
If a stranger tries to offer your child a lift or asks them to come along, the first response should be to move away and raise their voice. Teach children to say loudly, “No, thank you. My parents are coming to pick me up.”
“No, I already have it”
If a stranger offers candies, chocolates, or toys to your child, you should tell them to never accept such things and say, “No, I already have it.” Parents should firmly tell children that sometimes it’s okay to not be polite.
“Yes, I won’t tell my parents.”
Sometimes, people with bad intentions try to create a feeling of secrecy. They may tell a child, “Don’t tell your mom and dad,” or “This is our secret.” Teach your child that if someone says this, they should not argue or create a scene at that moment, and simply say “Yes, I won’t tell my parents.” Later when children come back home, they can tell their parents everything.
“I don’t remember”
People with wrong intentions often try to gain a child’s trust by asking simple questions. They may ask their name, home address, school name, phone number, or details about their family. Teach your child that personal information should never be shared with strangers. In such a situation, a child should say “I don’t remember.” These safety lessons are not about creating fear or teaching children to distrust everyone. They are about helping children understand boundaries, trust their instincts, and know that protecting themselves is always more important than being polite.
