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1) Teach Children Key Information. Teach your child(ren) their full name, address, phone number with area code, parents’ names and work phone numbers. Practice reciting this information often as children may often forget pertinent information over time. Also practice how to make an emergency call to you or 911 from a pay phone.
2) Teach Children Who is Safe.
Children should be taught at an early age what type of “stranger” is
okay to ask for help when they are lost or frightened. Good examples
are: a mother with children, a counter clerk in a store or a uniformed
police officer. Next time you visit a store, practice picking these
types of people out with your child(ren).
3) Know Where Your Child is Going.
Children should always inform you before they go anywhere. This applies
to older children as well since they are equally at risk to abduction by
child offenders. As you give your older children more freedom,
reiterate safety rules with them. As a parent ask the questions: who,
what, when, where, why and take the time to follow up on their
responses.
4) Teach Children about the Buddy System.
Never let your children go anywhere alone. Remind them that there is
safety in numbers and they should always use the buddy system, never
going anywhere alone. Stress the point that they should avoid situations
that might isolate them from others or crowds.
5) Don’t let Children be Lured in.
Children should be taught not to go near cars or be lured by adults
asking for directions, help finding something they lost, that their
parents are in trouble and that they will take them to mom or dad. Make
sure your child understands that they should always keep a safe
difference from strangers and never get close.
6) Develop a Password System.
Children can be very trusting of adults, especially adults whom they may
be somewhat familiar with. It is critical that you and your child(ren)
have a password system. Work out ahead of time an arranged password that
any adult whom tries to accompany them must have before they will go
anywhere with them. Share the password only with your child, family
members and trusted friends.
7) Reinforce Safety Skills.
Parents should seize opportunities to reinforce safety skills. If an incident occurs in your community, speak frankly about it and use this time to discuss and re-emphasize the safety rules with them. Be sure to comfort them with the fact that there is always someone who can help them.
8) Always Keep an Up-To-Date Record of Your Child’s Information & Description.
In case of an emergency, it is imperative that a readily available, up-to-date record is kept. Records should include a recent photograph, fingerprints, physical attributes and even a DNA sample.
9) Know How to Report Your Missing Child.
Time is a very critical factor in abduction cases. Seventy four percent
of children who are abducted and murdered are killed within three hours
of the abduction. When you can not find your child, you should
immediately call your local law enforcement and provide your child’s
name, date of birth, height, weight, and any distinctive marks such as
eyeglasses, braces or scars. Request that your child’s information be
immediately entered into the National Crime Information Center’s Missing
Person File. After you have reported your child missing to local law
enforcement, call the National Center for Missing & Exploited
Children at 1-800-THE-LOST.
10) Take the Initiative to be Informed.
As a parent, be informed by knowing where the child offenders live in your neighborhood and around your local schools. The National Alert Registry has a wealth of information on convicted child offenders all in one place, including photos, addresses, degree of criminal offenses, and distinguishable markings.