CHESAPEAKE - Do your children know what to do if approached by a stranger? Do your children have "street smarts?"

Children can now learn those skills thanks to some concerned citizens who will host a class at the Chesapeake Community Center tonight to help children and parents develop their "street smarts."

Safety will be the focus at the community center at 6 p.m. today.

The free class is open to the public. The class is for children ages 5 to 15

and their parents. The course teaches the youth about safety.

While the course touches on various areas of safety awareness, it addresses things such as avoiding strangers, how to escape from an adult stranger, tips on how to deal with strangers and obstacles that children can use to deal with strangers.

"With the way things are today, this would be a great class to give children the knowledge to stay safe in today's society," karate instructor Tim Ferren said.

Ferren, a third-degree black belt, and karate instructor Todd Perego, a sixth-degree black belt, will be teaching the class - but not just for kicks.

Ferren said they have taught the class numerous times at various locations in the community, emphasizing that it is a good safety class for the youth and that it helps children while they are out playing at the park or other area that could be unsafe.

Barbara Williams, director of the community center, said the program has been successful in education youth. "It has been a successful program," Williams said. "It's time well spent with your kids."

If you would like more information about the street smart program or other classes and services offered at the community center, contact the center at (740) 867-4532.