| The FBI estimates that at least 2300 children are | | | | they can in the opposite direction and try to find a |
| reported missing every day. Parents need to begin | | | | trusted adult. They should never approach an unknown |
| educating their children about safety issues at a young | | | | car or get into a car with an adult that they do not |
| age, starting around 3-4 years old. | | | | know. If someone tries to grab them, they should |
| 1. Approach the subject of safety in a non-threatening | | | | scream, "THIS IS NOT MY PARENT!" to attract |
| way. It is important that you don't make your child | | | | attention. |
| fearful of dangerous situations or people, but cautious | | | | 5. Share an easily remembered secret CODE WORD. |
| and able to recognize when something is not right. | | | | Tell your child that if anyone approaches them and |
| 2. Encourage your child to trust his or her intuition, and | | | | says they are a family friend who needs to take them |
| to be able to talk to you when something is bothering | | | | somewhere, (sometimes they say that a parent is hurt |
| them. They should know not to keep secrets from | | | | and in the hospital, or there's a family emergency) your |
| you. Open communication is very important. Really | | | | child must ask for the code word. If the person really is |
| LISTEN to your child. | | | | a friend, they will know it. If they don't know it then your |
| 3. Let your child know that their body belongs to them. | | | | child should run away as quickly as possible. |
| No one has the right to touch them inappropriately. If | | | | 6. Never label your child's clothing, backpack, or other |
| someone is touching them or making them feel | | | | personal items with their name. An abductor could use |
| uncomfortable in any way, they should let you know | | | | this information to try to gain trust. |
| immediately, even if it is a family member. | | | | 7. Give instructions on what to do if your child gets |
| 4. Inform your child of the rules pertaining to strangers. | | | | separated from you in a mall, supermarket, or other |
| Namely, that a stranger looks just like any other | | | | public place. Tell them to go to a checkout counter, |
| person, not like a monster or creature. A stranger is | | | | information desk, or to approach a security officer or |
| someone that your child does not know, nor does his | | | | mother with children, and let them know that they are |
| or her friends and family. | | | | lost and looking for their parent(s). Make sure your child |
| Strangers will use different ways to lure a child. | | | | knows his or her full name, address, phone number, |
| The most common lures are: | | | | and the place where you work or can be contacted, |
| Pretending to look for a lost dog | | | | as well as how to dial 911, make collect calls, and dial |
| Offering candy or money to make the child go to their | | | | the operator on a pay phone. |
| car | | | | 8. Know where your child is at all times, and keep a list |
| Telling the child that family members will be hurt if he or | | | | of their friends, addresses, and phone numbers. |
| she doesn't comply | | | | 9. Keep an up-to-date record of your child's personal |
| Asking for directions | | | | and medical information on-hand in case of |
| Let your child know that adults DO NOT ask children | | | | emergency, such as a ChildPrint ID Kit or ChildPrint ID |
| for help nor do they threaten them. | | | | Card. Make sure your child is fingerprinted and that you |
| If they do encounter any of the above situations, they | | | | have a recent photo available at all times. |
| should immediately scream, "NO," and run as quickly as | | | | |