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How to Protect Your Children

There seems to be a misconception that abductions are only carried out by strangers. We often tell our children not to talk to strangers but this may not be enough. According to the FBI, the majority of child abductions are done by individuals that either is known by the child or their parents.

There are some easy to follow tips that can help protect your children from predators in and around your neighborhood. It is important to remember that bad things can happen no matter where you live and the more your kids know on how to protect themselves the better off they will be.

Stay away from people in cars! Tell your kids to never approach anyone in a car for conversation or any other reason. If an adult is asking for something such as directions or help finding a missing pet tell your child to come get you so you can answer their question or offer them assistance. Children should be taught that if strangers are asking them for help they should get away from them. Adults should be asking other adults for assistance, not children and make sure your kids understand this.
When children are playing outside they should never be alone. They should always be supervised. Unsupervised children run a higher risk of being abducted.
Educate you children to be aware of their surroundings and to move away from people they feel may be following them. Teach your children that if someone does try to make off with them to scream as loud as they can, “This person is not my parent” or “This person is trying to take me.”
Teach your kids to always get permission to go places even if it is with people they know. Get information such as where they are going? How they will get there? Who they will be going with? When will they be back? Talk to the adult personally.
Know who your kid’s friends are and get to know their parents as well. Have information such as their names, phone numbers, and where they live.
In case of emergencies many people set up a “code word” to use. So if you can’t pick up your child for any reason the person you send should know the code word and relate that to your child.
In public places, if you and your child get separated teach them to immediately find someone that works there to help locate you. They should not wander around trying to find you themselves. Show them what to look for such as a security guard or check-out counter.

Child safety is important and as parents we should educate our children to be careful. We can’t protect them from everything but we can educate them to dangers that exist.

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