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Child safety tips
How to protect your child from being abducted?
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The National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) estimates
that approximately 2,000 children are reported missing every
day across the United States. While this number is disputed
because of lack of agreement on definitions, but regardless,
it doesn't hurt to protect your child. Treg Stark, creator of
Professor Safety, has the following child safety tips for
parents: |
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- Know the lures abductors use. Kids
are enticed by
gifts and special treats. "Come see my new puppy"
or "Check out this new
video" are often too tempting to pass up. Educate
your child about these tricks.
- Listen to your child's 'secrets.' Abductors will often befriend your child on a playground or
at the
mall. Once a 'friend' the abductor (as happens in this
movie starring Michelle Stafford) is no longer a
stranger. Be sure and listen when your child talks
about new friends.
- Don't Talk; Don't Take; Don't Go.
Use these three simple, easy to understand rules to
communicate
with your child. Make sure they understand they are not to
'Talk To', 'Take From', or 'Go With' anyone other than you.
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- Always 'go' with a buddy.
Today's kids want to be
independent. At the mall or a store, always
make sure your child goes to the
bathroom with a buddy, whether it's you or a close
friend. If it is with a close friend, you stand
guard outside the restroom door. Most public buildings
also have a family restroom.
- Don't advertise your child to a
stranger. Leave names off the outside of
clothing, socks, jackets, and soles of
shoes. Advertising makes it easy for a stranger to
find a child's name and to quickly become a 'trusted
friend' to your child.
- Make sure your child knows
his/her name, address, phone number. It's
important that if you get separated from your child, a
speedy recovery can be made. Your child must
know this information and must know that it can only
be given to police or security members. Remember to
point out security members at the mall to your child.
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- Use Passwords. Kids love to
play games. You can use this to your advantage. Have your
child select a password (it's
important he/she picks so they will remember). Then prepare
your child to only go with someone who uses the password.
This will help prevent an abductor approaching your child
and luring them away with 'Mommy is hurt…come quick!"
Your child will be prepared to turn and run.
- Form a 'Safe Neighborhood' group.
Have a block safety party with parents and kids. Make sure
kids know which home they can safety approach if they find
themselves locked out of their own home. Keep phone numbers
of these safe homes on the refrigerator for baby-sitters to
use in case of an emergency. Review with each child a 'safe
route' to homes in the Safety Neighborhood.
- Finally, give your child a cell phone.
There are plenty of
cheap cell
phones and
calling plans available for your family. Give your child
a cell phone
that she or he can use to call you any time.
- If your
child is still missing, take these steps.
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