Child Lure Prevention Series: Authority Lure

Child safety expert Ken Wooden acts as a authority figure to see if kids believe him.

"There's a fire in the store. Hurry up! Get out! We're getting everybody out. Come on..come on," said Wooden.

Paula Loftus believes her children will go with the stranger. She watches our hidden cameras as Wooden tries to lure her kids.

Wooden said, "Move it... move it... come on... come on... Let me get everybody outside. Okay, good. Stay right there."

Her children fell for it.

Another parent, Reggie Tall, tests his son.

"He's a very trusting child and he always wants to help. So, I'm concerned that he might fall for it," said Tall.

"Your dad's outside, someone just broke his car window. Come on. Yea, it's right out here," said Wooden.

David takes a couple steps toward the door. Then decides not to. David doesn't buy the lure, he makes the right choice and walks away.

Wooden says many kids will fall for this lure and tells children to take their time and assess the situation.

He said, "If someone says that your mom is sick or your dad was in a car accident, make sure that it's for real. Check with another adult. Don't just let someone rush you into making a decision."

It's a fact of life: Emergencies can and will happen. Wooden says to tell kids not to let anyone rush them into making a decision. Children should avoid going with anyone until an emergency has been verified. It's safest to stay put, keep calm and seek help from a school official, relative, or other trusted adult.