| According to the United States Juvenile Justice | | | | do for them. Most Common Lures are: Directions |
| Department, in excess of 800,000 children are | | | | & Lost Puppy or Kitten. Teach your child to say, |
| reported missing each year; Another 500,000 go | | | | "Wait here and I'll check with my Mom/Dad." Then |
| missing without ever being reported..."It is important to | | | | hurry to tell their parent(s). |
| know that in 80% of abductions by strangers, the first | | | | - Teach your child NEVER to say that their parents |
| contact occurs within a quarter mile of the child's | | | | are not home when answering the phone. Teach your |
| home. In many cases, the abduction does, too. Sadly, a | | | | children to take a message and say their parents will |
| child goes missing every 40 seconds in the United | | | | call back when they are not busy. |
| States, averaging over 2,100 incidents per day. It is | | | | - Avoid clothing and toys with your child's name on |
| important as parents and caregivers that we equip our | | | | them. A child is less likely to fear someone who knows |
| children with tools and information that can potentially | | | | his/her name. |
| save their lives and prevent our children from | | | | - Teach your child that it is appropriate to "make a |
| becoming another sad statistic. | | | | scene" if he/she senses danger from an adult. Teach |
| The Amber Alert system is a powerful tool in getting | | | | him/her to yell "HELP!", or "I DON'T KNOW YOU!" Not |
| the word out once a child goes missing. The service is | | | | just to scream but use words! You want the people |
| named after AMBER HAGERMAN. Amber was a | | | | around to understand that it is an abduction and not |
| nine year old little girl who became a victim of | | | | just a temper tantrum. |
| abduction and murder. On January 13, 1996, she was | | | | - Come up with a secret code word that is easy for |
| riding her bike near her grandparents' home in Arlington, | | | | your child to remember. This way, if someone tells |
| Texas, and was kidnapped soon thereafter. Her | | | | your child that they need to go with them because |
| murder would later inspire the creation of the AMBER | | | | their parents were hurt or are in the hospital, the child |
| Alert system. To get text message Amber Alerts in | | | | can ask them for the code word. If they really are a |
| your zip code as they are released, simply go to the | | | | friend, they will know the code word. If they do not |
| bottom of this artice for the link. It is a two minute | | | | know the code word, you should teach your child to |
| subscription that could potentially save your child or a | | | | run away from them as fast as possible. |
| community members child's life. | | | | - Teach your children that if they are riding their bike |
| It is important to teach your child life saving tips! | | | | and a stranger tries to pull them into their car then they |
| Reinforce them, discuss them and test your child on his | | | | should wrap their arms and legs around the bike and |
| or her knowledge! The following children safety tips | | | | NOT let go. A stranger will not be able to get the child |
| could potentially save your child's life: | | | | and the bike into the car. It's always good to practice |
| - Tell your child to go to the nearest cashier if they are | | | | this technique with the child so they can remember |
| lost or separated from their parent/caregiver in a store | | | | and use it. It could save their life. |
| or mall. | | | | - Encourage your children to play in OPEN AREAS! |
| - Teach your child that if they are being followed not | | | | Areas with a lot of bushes, walls and trees afford |
| to hide behind bushes, but to go where there are | | | | many hiding places for the bad guys and give the bad |
| people or to a safe house. | | | | guys places that they can take your child to commit a |
| - Make sure that your child knows that grownups | | | | crime out of view. |
| should NOT ask kids to do things that other adults can | | | | |