Parent Corner
Safety Tips
FACTS: Teach your children the facts of abduction early. Talk to them once a month about safety rules. If handled matter of factly, and calmly, as another coping skill, children need not be frightened.
FINGERPRINTS: Have your children fingerprinted. Maintain current dental records. Have current photos of your children. For children under seven, photos should be taken twice yearly: for children over seven annually.
PASSPORTS: Make sure a passport and a birth certificate are in the possession of the custodial parent only.
PERSONAL INFORMATION: Teach your children their full names, addresses, and phone numbers, including area code and long distance dialing information. Post emergency numbers near the phone and show children how to dial 911 and what to say to an operator if they are lost or have an emergency.
NO NAMES: Never put your children's names on any article of clothing, lunchbox, backpack, etc. A stranger should never be able to call your child by name.
CAREFUL: Be cautious when choosing daycare facilities, preschools or babysitters. Check references. Make sure they will release your child to no one but you without prior permission. If you have a custody order and or a restraining order, be sure you have a copy of the orders at your child’s school, day center or any place that provides child care for you. It is a good idea to provide the school or day care with a photo of the person who cannot pick up your child.
INSTRUCTIONS: Instruct babysitters or children left at home to never open the door to strangers and to never volunteer information over the phone. They should say that you are home, but are unable to come to the phone. RULES: Instruct your children what to do if threatened by a stranger, and to report any suspicious incidents to you. Tell your children never to get near a car, give someone directions or help look for a missing or lost pet if asked to by someone they don't know.
SUPERVISE: Never leave children unattended in a car, not even for a minute. Be careful who you expose your children to. Someone who you may know from work, your sister’s boyfiend, or a neighbor should not be left alone with your child. That person may have a history of hurting children that you know nothing about.
BUDDY SYSTEM: If your child is old enough to be out on his own, encourage him to use the "buddy system" and to avoid empty lots, fields, and parks. Know the route your child takes to and from school. Have your children check in with you at a specified time if you will not be home at their arrival.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD IS TAKEN: Go to law enforcement nearest to your home and request that a police report be taken immediately! Ask that all of the child’s and abductor’s information to put into the National Crime Inforamtion Computer System. A parentally abducted child is a missing child!
The “What If” Game
Try playing this game with your children. This may help them think about how they will react in different circumstances.
What if we go to the mall and you stop and look at something in the window, but then you turn around and don’t see us anywhere? What will you do?
What if you are on a playground and a man comes up to you and says, “I’m here to pick you up your mommy was in a car accident?” What will you do?
What if you’re at the movies and you go into a bathroom and somebody touches you in a place where they shouldn’t? What would you do?
What if you are on your way home and a car slows down and the person inside the car asks you for directions? What would you do?
What if a stranger tries to pull you or push you into their car? What would you do?
What if you’re home alone and someone asks you if they can talk to your parents? What would you do?
