Guidance for Protecting your Child
1. Don't let your child wear clothing with his or her name on it. A child will tend to pay attention to anyone calling him or her by name.
2. Videotape and take photos of your child two or three times per year, including profile shots.
3. Do not leave a child unattended while shopping, visiting with neighbours or friends, or running errands. Under no circumstances should you leave a child alone in a car or truck.
4. Make sure your child always checks with you before going anywhere with anyone.
5. Make sure your child learns his or her address and phone number at an early age. A second phone number of a friend or relative is also helpful.
6. Teach your child how to make a Emergency (999) or (911) phone call, and to begin with "Operator...I'm in trouble; I need your help."
7. If your child is a latch-key kid, make sure that he or she knows to keep all doors and windows locked, never let anyone know that he or she is alone, and never let anyone in the house, not even someone claiming to be a police officer or from the fire department. Those kinds of professionals know to forcibly enter in case of an emergency.
8. Know whether your child is left or right handed.
9. Keep a written record of all birthmarks, scars and identifying features, like moles or freckles.
10. Keep a growth chart of your child; know his or her height.
11. Make sure your child knows to scream and run if approached in an alarming way by anyone. Your child should be taught to ALWAYS tell you immediately if he or she is approached by a stranger who asks for help, offers sweets/gifts, or frightens him/her in anyway. Your child should know to make you aware of anytime he or she feels uncomfortable with ANYONE.
MORE ADVICE
1. Travel with a friend, or better yet, a group of friends when riding your bike or walking to or from school or other destinations.
2. If a stranger offers you a ride somewhere, say no, and run away. Adults should define "stranger" and give safety tip examples to help youth, especially young ones, know what you mean.
3. If someone follows you on foot, get away as quickly as you can. Go to someone's house you know, or run to other people, or just run away.
4. If someone is following you in a car, turn around and go in the opposite direction or take a path where a car would not go.
5. Never leave school or any other extracurricular activity or event with someone who makes you feel uncomfortable. Moms or Dads should tell their youngster that it is okay in these circumstances to not ride home, but that also means adults should have an established communications method along with these safety tip guidelines so that the kid does not end up stranded or alone.
6. If a stranger tells you that there is an emergency or that a family member is hurt or that a pet has been in an accident, always check with your mom or dad or other trusted adults. This is a common trick used by many molesters or kidnappers.
7. For more information about safety tips from the :-(National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
