October might be all about spooky stories and things that go bump in the night, but when it comes to keeping kids safe, the scariest thing we can do is stay silent.
At Darkness to Light, we believe that safety conversations don’t have to be uncomfortable or complicated. Small, age-appropriate talks can have a big impact by helping children understand boundaries, speak up, and trust safe adults.
Here’s how to make prevention part of everyday life — no costumes required.
👋 Start Small (and Early)
Kids learn about safety the same way they learn everything else: through repetition and modeling. You don’t need a big “talk.” Instead, weave messages about consent and body safety into daily routines.
Try simple phrases like:
- “You can choose if you want a hug or a high five.”
- “If something makes you feel uncomfortable, you can always tell me.”
- “Your body belongs to you.”
Short, consistent messages help kids build confidence and understand that their feelings matter.
💬 Keep It Ongoing
As children grow, their understanding of boundaries changes. Keep the conversation going by checking in often.
- Ask about their day, their friends, and their feelings.
- Reinforce that no topic is off-limits and no question is too big.
- Let them know that even adults sometimes need help with boundaries, so it’s okay to ask for help.
These ongoing chats make it easier for kids to come forward if something feels wrong.
🧠 Learn the Facts Together
Knowledge is power, and prevention starts with adults. When we understand how abuse happens and how to recognize the signs, we’re better equipped to protect children.
Explore resources like Stewards of Children®, our full training suite, or free, bite-sized Safety in Seconds lessons. These tools make it easy to show kids—and other adults—that learning about safety is a lifelong skill, not a one-time conversation.
You can also bring these lessons to life at home with our WHAT IF Halloween Safety Activity, crafted to spark meaningful family conversations about safety, consent, and courage—wrapped in a bit of spooky-season fun.
[DOWNLOAD ACTIVITY IN ENGLISH] [DOWNLOAD ACTIVITY IN SPANISH]
💙 Make Safety a Shared Value
Prevention doesn’t happen in isolation. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, coach, or caregiver, you play a role in creating safer environments for kids.
- Share what you learn with others.
- Encourage your workplace, school, or church to host a prevention training.
- Celebrate organizations that prioritize child protection.
When safety becomes part of your community culture, it’s no longer scary — it’s second nature.
🎃 The Bottom Line
Talking about child safety doesn’t have to be heavy. It’s about empowering kids, supporting adults, and making prevention possible through everyday choices.
This season, let’s replace fear with facts and silence with strength. When we talk openly about safety, we give children the confidence to do the same — and that’s something to celebrate all year long.
Want to learn more about consent? Let’s talk! 💬
Join us on October 28 on Instagram (@D2Lorg) for a live Q&A with CONSENTparenting — we’ll cover how to model and teach consent in everyday moments.
And don’t miss our FREE training opportunity! Take Consent, Healthy Touch and Boundaries or Conversations About Safety from Abuse for free with code ‘SpookySafe’, valid October 27–31.
