How to Prevent Child Abductions

It may seem shocking, but more than two thirds of alltoddlers are old enough to walk, always remind them
children will get lost at least once during their childhoodnot to wander. They must also know what to do if
years. According to one estimate, more than twothey do accidentally lose you in the crowd. Though
thousands kids become lost just in the United States.you've probably told them "don't talk to strangers" a
Although most of these children are found in just athousand times, in this case talking to the right
few minutes, it is always a possibility that they willstrangers, such as mall security, can actually reunite
never return. After all, we've all seen such cases ofthem with you faster. Teach your kids how to
child abductions in the news. As a parent, this is one ofrecognize police officers and store employees in case
the most frightening things that you can imaginethey need help finding you. They should also know
happening to your kids. How to you keep them safeyour home address and phone number, in case they
from a child abduction?become separated for a longer period. These details
Every parent surely understands the fear that theirshould be attached in the label of their clothing if they
child will get lost every time they step foot in a publicare still too young to memorize them.
place, whether it's a shopping mall or a grassy park.Regardless of where you are taking your children or
Even your well-behaved child has the natural curiositywho they are with, never assume that they are safe.
to wander off the second you take your eyes off her.In fact, most children who are abducted are taken by
Turning your back to take a phone call, place yourfamily members or acquaintances. Stranger abductions
lunch order, or wave to a friend is enough time for aare actually quite rare, though they can happen
child to be lured away. Though you might be panickinganywhere, from a rural sidewalk to a crowded street.
at even the thought of this, your little one probablyKids outdoors without adult supervision are at an
does not even realize the effect wandering off couldespecially high risk of being taken.
have on you.Protecting your kids from child abduction requires not
Although most cases of a child's disappearance in aonly the right information, but also the right tools.
public setting are tired to innocent distractions andConsider a child alarm that sounds if your child
wandering kids, news stories constantly remind us thatwanders too far away from you. A personal alarm is
this is not always true. If you are distracted, your lostanother helpful device for keeping your child safe. One
child could become frightened, injured, or evenpress of the alarm button and the loud alarm will sound,
abducted.summoning the help of nearby adults. Personal alarms
How can you prevent this? From the time youreven come in child-friendly shapes like panda bears.