An Australian child safety expert has issued an urgent warning to parents, highlighting a simple phrase that can put children at risk if they have not been taught how to respond. Nikki Jurcutz, a former paramedic and founder of Tiny Hearts Education, explains that one particular sentence is commonly used to exploit children's natural instinct to be kind.
The Dangerous Phrase
"Your child would willingly go with a stranger tomorrow with this sentence unless you teach them," Jurcutz said. "Can you help me find my puppy?" She explained that the phrase is effective because it taps into something parents actively encourage. "To a child, this sounds like the right thing to do," she said. "We raise our little ones to be kind and helpful. And that's exactly what makes it work." Rather than appearing threatening, the request sounds harmless and even positive, which can make it difficult for children to recognise danger in the moment.
Key Safety Rule
Jurcutz emphasised a critical distinction: "Safe grown ups don't ask kids for help. If an adult needs help finding something, they ask another adult. If they're asking a child, something is wrong." She said teaching this rule gives children a clear, easy-to-remember guideline they can rely on under pressure.
Practical Responses
Alongside recognising risky situations, Jurcutz encourages parents to rehearse simple responses with their children so they know exactly what to do. For example:
- If someone says, 'Can you help me find my puppy?' - children should know not to engage and to move away quickly.
- If someone offers, 'I've got lollies in my car, want to see?' - a child can respond: 'I'll go ask my mum.'
- If approached with, 'Your mummy sent me to pick you up' - they should ask: 'What's the code word?'
Preparation is Key
Jurcutz stressed that preparation is vital because children often react instinctively in unfamiliar situations. "Prepare for the just in case. You can't always be there, but your voice can be," she said. "Practice these words with your little ones until they become automatic. Because in that moment, they won't have time to think. They'll fall back on what they've rehearsed."
Empowerment Over Fear
While the topic can feel confronting, Jurcutz says these conversations do not need to be frightening. Instead, she encourages parents to approach them in a calm, practical way, focusing on empowerment rather than fear. "Practising these scenarios at home takes the fear out of the conversation and builds their confidence so they know exactly how to respond," she said.
Her warning highlights a broader challenge for parents: balancing the desire to raise kind, helpful children with the need to keep them safe. "We spend so much time raising our little ones to be kind and helpful. This is a beautiful trait," she said. "But it means we also need to give them clear rules to keep them safe." By reinforcing the simple idea that safe adults do not ask children for help, experts say parents can give kids a powerful tool to recognise when something is not right.
