San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.comLocal karate champ gets a kick being on 'Dr. Phil'

Local karate champ gets a kick being on 'Dr. Phil'

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (CBS 8) - A seven-year-old girl from San Diego is teaching kids like her how to defend themselves from predators. She appeared on the "Dr. Phil" show with her lifesaving moves.

Kaelyn Whaley is a world champion martial artist who surrounds herself with trophies taller than her, and she was invited to be Dr. Phil's special guest. Kaelyn's demonstration shows that when children protect themselves from kidnappers, strong little legs should be used for kicking and running away. But their greatest weapon is their voice.

"It's supposed to attract attention because then someone can help you, then you can get away from that stranger," Kaelyn said.

Tracie Arlington from Play It Safe Defense says teaching your child to be confident and ready could save his or her life.

"Having that self-defense temper tantrum and going what we call 'Chihuahua crazy' hopefully is going to fend off an attacker because they are not going to want to deal with a child that is not only screaming but kicking," Tracie said.

Arlington has taught these skills to more than 15,000 Girl Scouts and calls Kaelyn her star student.

"It's important, then you won't want to be taken because then you won't see your mom and dad ever again," Kaelyn said.

Parents spend so much time teaching their kids to be polite, Arlington says they shouldn't forget to tell them to trust their instincts as well.

"If your creep alarm is going off even if you know the person, you don't have to be nice. You just need to run and get away," Tracie said.

Another tip for children: don't walk alone, especially not with the flow of traffic where a kidnapper can drive up from behind and surprise them.