Hey, Parents: Let’s learn how to Protect your Child-National Child Safety Council
Missing Children:
The statistics on the number of children who are reported missing are staggering. Not all missing children are runaways; some children just seem to vanish without a trace.
We cannot always be with our children and we must trust their intelligence and good judgement. We can teach our children to be alert to the world by giving them the tangible knowledge they need to cope with the few times they may find themselves in danger. Perhaps through education, we can prevent a child’s disappearance.
This information provides you with some necessary precautions you can take to help protect your child from being a victim of abduction. Children should be made aware of the dangers but not be afraid.
Parents be Aware:
Abductions usually select a child ahead of time whom they thing will be a easy target. They look for children who walk to school alone, take shortcuts or seem to be alienated from other children. Quite often these people are found watching playgrounds observing children’s play habits.
Self-defense classes or personal safety devices can give a false sense of security. Teach your child at an early age to ask permission before leaving the house or yard. Also, discuss dangerous people, their lures and how to respond in these situations.
10 Preventive Tips:
- Teach your children how to use a telephone and a pay telephone to make both a local and long distance calls.
*Make sure they know your full name and theirs.
*Have them memorize your full telephone number including area code.
*Have them practice saying or writing your full address including zip code.
*Instruct them to call home, law enforcement, “0” for operator, “9-1-1” or your local number in an emergency.
2. Update the photos and physical description in the home file on your children regularly; four times a year for children under 2.
*Include information on extra activities and friends, their addresses and telephone numbers.
*Have a set of their footprints or fingerprints taken.
*Be able to locate dental or medical records if necessary.
3. Know where your children are at all times. Never leave them unattended in a public place, car, store or restroom.
*Take note of what your child wears every day.
*Avoid putting their names on the outside of clothing or books (Children may respond more readily to someone who call them by name).
*Encourage children to only play in supervised areas with friends you are familiar with.
4. Be sure your child knows what to do if your become separated while shopping:
*Never look for you or leave the store, go to the parking lot to your car or hide, if scared.
*Go immediately to the nearest clerk and ask for help.
5. Explain to your child who a stranger is. Being polite to adults is okay but they are allowed to say NO when adults ask for assistance.
*Children should never get into or go near the home or car of someone they do not know.
*Children should never take gifts from someone they do not know.
*Be aware of anyone who pay an unusual amount of attention to your children.
*Listen if they do not want to be left alone with someone.
6. Choose a secret code word to use with your children in case of an emergency:
*Explain to only go with someone who knows the word.
*Stress that the word (or words) should be kept secret and change it frequently.
*Instruct your children’s schools or day care centers to notify you immediately if your children are absent and who is authorized to pick them up.
*Try to have the same person every day if possible.
7. In a matter of fact nonthreatening way explain the many tactics possible abductors use to lure children away and how to respond.
*Ask your children to tell you about uncomfortable situations, such as being asked to keep a secret or about meeting any new adults.
*Be alert to any new possessions and their origin.
8. Walk your children’s route to and from school pointing out dangerous spots, such as vacant lots, alleyways etc.:
*Encourage the buddy system and tell them what to do if a stranger follows or approaches them.
*Get to know your neighbors and encourage them to participate in a “safe home” program.
9. Be cautious when selecting anyone who will have responsibility for your children:
*Meet with caregivers and check their references.
*If left home alone make sure children know how to answer the telephone and the door in your absence.
10. Let your children know you are willing to talk and listen to anything they may want to report:
*Never underestimates any fears or concerns they have.
*Children should trust their own feelings and know that you are always concerned for their safety.
Disclosure: The blogger got the information from the pamphlet “Hey, Parents Let’s learn how to Protect your Child” by the National Child Safety Council and I give them full credit for this information. Please check out their website for more information.
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