- Never assume your child won’t be abducted.
- Never leave young children unattended.
- Teach children to always ask permission
before going anywhere with anyone.
- Teach children to stay in groups or to stay
close to caregivers in public places.
- Teach children to scream and make a scene
when they are in danger. Tell them that it’s
OK to say “NO” or yell “HELP” when they
sense danger.
- Make sure children know how to make
telephone calls and dial 911 from home or a
payphone in an emergency.
- Children should know what to do when
answering the telephone or the door. When
they are home alone, children should know
not to tell anyone that they are home
alone or to give out personal information.
- Establish strict procedures regarding how
your child will get home from school.
Remember to be consistent!
- Be suspicious of anyone who showers your
child with extraordinary amounts of attention
or presents.
- Test children on their safety skills, repetition
will help them remember.
Teach Your Children to be SAFE !!
- Teach children that they cannot tell who may
hurt or abduct them by a person’s appearance.
- Teach children that most people are good but
some can be bad. Encourage them to listen
to their instincts.
- Teach children that abductors can use tricks
or bribes to get children to go with them.
Teach Children What to Do When Lost
- In a store: call out the first name of the
person they are with. If that person does not
respond, go to a store employee (someone
who is wearing a uniform or a nametag) and
ask that person for help. Never leave the store
unless it is with the person with whom you
came.
- On the street or in a public place: look for a
police officer, a guard, or a parent with children.
Tell this person you are lost. If there is no one
around, go to a pay phone and dial “0” for the
operator or 911. Tell the operator or 911 that
you are lost.
Get Involved and Talk with Your Children
- Establish solid communication with your
children so they can confide in you.
- Know where your children are going and with
whom.
- Know and talk with your children’s friends and
families.
- Work with your children on how to react and what
to do in unsafe situations.
- Do not lecture your children and respect their
feelings.
- Remind children that they have rights to their body.
They have a right to feel safe, strong, and to say
no when they feel endangered.
- Listen to your children when they make statements
about family members that make them feel
uncomfortable or scared.
Always make sure you have up to date information
- Keep updated pictures in a safe place. For
preschoolers, have pictures updated 4 times a year.
- Keep fingerprints, dental records, X-rays,
doctor information, DNA samples, custody records
and birth certificates in a safe place.
- Obtain a passport for your children. Once a
passport has been issued, it is both difficult and
suspicious when attempts are made to get another
passport issued.
- Take threats from former partners or spouses
seriously. If someone says he or she is going to
take your children, or you are concerned that he or
she may, call the ploice Immediately.
- Report suspicious activity to law enforcement and
watch out for other children.
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