Child Safety
If you have small children, these rules are even more important. If the child is old enough to open the door, make sure that he or she understands that the door is never to be opened for a stranger.
If children are ever in the house alone, teach them to avoid communicating this fact to anyone at the door or anyone that calls on the phone.
And no one wants to think about the possibility that one of their children may be abducted or may run away from home. Statistically, the chances of that happening to your child are extremely slim. But what if it did?
Are you prepared? Do you have recent pictures of your child that you could give to the police to help the search? Do you have a set of fingerprints to provide positive identification?
Safety Tips for Parents
- Fingerprinting is not hard to do, and there are do-it-yourself kits that are widely available.
- Teach your child their telephone number, including area code
- Have your child fingerprinted and keep the card in a safe, accessible place along pictures updated every six months and an accurate description, including scars.
- Show your child how to dial the operator and what to say (tell them to stay on the line, if possible). Practice this.
- Know where your child is at all times
- Don't let your child go to a public restroom alone.
- Don't leave your child alone in the car.
- Don't put your child's name, first or last, on hats, caps, jackets, bikes, wagons, etc.
- Teach your child to avoid strangers. A stranger is somebody that they do not know very well.
- Don't leave your children in the toy section of a store or wandering in a mall. If they get lost or bothered, tell them to go to the cashier for help.
- Know your child's friends.
- Be involved in your child's activities
- Practice with your child ways he or she may walk to and from a friend's home or school.
- Make it clear to your child to whose home he or she may go to play or visit.
- Teach your child which homes are "safe" to go into near your home when you are not around.
- Listen when your child tells you that he or she doesn't want to be with someone. Find out the reason.
- Notice if someone pays undue attention to your child.
- Encourage parent - child communication.
- Never belittle any fear or concern your child has, real or imaginary.
- Tell your children that if anything happens, you will look for them no matter how long it takes to find them.
- Organize safe houses in your neighborhood with signs in the windows. Teach the children to go there if they are frightened.
Tips for Tots
Parents: Use these "tips for tots" with your children who are too young to read. It is important that you not frighten your child, but with repeated lessons - as with play school - teach him or her the following:
- Never get into a car with a stranger
- Always play with a friend - "be a buddy"
- Do not take presents from strangers
- If a car pulls up where he or she is playing, to back away and run either home or to a safe house
- Where a safe house is if you are going to be out
- Practice dialing your phone number, including area code
- A code word: and tell your child he or she is only to go with someone who knows the code word (make it simple and repeat it often)
- To never open the door when home alone, and to call police if a person persists.
- To never let anyone touch them in a way he or she does not like - especially in an area covered by a bathing suit; and if someone does, to tell you about it at once.
- Assure your child of your love and that he or she will not be blamed if they tell you the truth.
- To never go anywhere without permission.
It is sometimes a better learning experience if you teach several children at the same time. Repeat often as young children have a short memory span. Be sure to assure your child of your love and approval.