Tip #1 Telephone
Children should learn how to use the phone in an emergency.
Have them memorize their phone number, including area code, as young as possible.
Practice dialing local and long distance numbers with you.
Practice making a collect call with them. Teach them they don’t need money to make a collect call, even if it is a local number.
Teach the children how and when to use 911. Discuss different situations with them.
Remember that even a deactivated cellphone can still dial 911, as long as it is powered up.
Tip #2 Family password
How can your child know if it is okay to go with another person without asking for your permission first? A FAMILY PASSWORD!
Almost every child is taught by their parents not to go anywhere with a stranger. This is a weak message. How can a child tell who a stranger is? An abductor could be someone the child knows. Someone who may trick the child by saying “Mom or Dad asked me to pick you up.”
Teach your child to keep some distance from this person by asking for the FAMILY PASSWORD.
Teach your child not go with any one who does not know the password. Promise them you won’t send anyone to go get them without it.
And from time to time as it makes sense to you, change the password and make sure the children learn it.
Tip #3 I’m lost! Now what?
You come out of a store and turn around to find your child is not there. Now what? A potential abductor may be able to take advantage of this situation if there is no plan. Here’s the plan. Teach your child, in advance, that they should:
1. Stay put and let you find them. If they stay in one place, it will be easier than if both of you are moving, maybe in opposite directions.
2. If the children are in a hidden or hard-to-find space, tell them to stay put in the nearest visible area and not wander around looking for you.
3. Teach them to never go with anyone, ever.
4. Teach them never to tell anyone who they don’t know, what the family password is.
5. Teach your child if someone wants to help them, have them ask that person to look for you or call security or the police.
You need to alert security and provide them with your photo ID such as a driver’s license.
Tricks used by abductors
They say things that kids are likely to respond to. Teach your children to ignore things like:
“Help me find my lost puppy”
“I need help with directions”
“There is an emergency”
“I want to take your picture”
“I have a new video”
An offer of gifts or candy.
Tip #4 Secret
The word SECRET is used freely by both adults and children. This word is the most common weapon used by abductors to lure a child from safety. Children love secrets and most often see them as a way to feel independent from their parents.
Teach your child that if an adult asks them to keep a secret from you this is a danger sign. The secret could be “minor,” such as a piece of chocolate before dinner. This person is building up trust with the child to find out if they will tell everything. The secrets will build until they have control and power over the child. SECRETS = BLACKMAIL.
Tip #5 Good lies
You expect your child to treat adults with respect and grow up to be polite and honest. But there are exceptions to those rules. There are in fact times when children should scream as loud as possible if someone tries to pull him or her into a car or building. Attention is the last thing an abductor is looking for.
Now comes a mixed message. Teach therm to “Lie to protect yourself.” Children should never tell anyone they are home alone. Tell your children it’s okay to lie to someone who insists on talking to their parents. This is a good lie.
Tip #6 Make an emergency plan
Where would your child go in an emergency if you were not home? This is a question you want to address before it happens.
Finding a trusted neighbor’s or friend’s house for your child is very important for the child’s safety. Identify this as a safe house. Choose someone who will likely be home most of the time, such as a retired person or a stay-at-home mother. Be sure to discuss this idea with that person.
Tip #7 Strangers may not be the real problem Your children should NEVER go anywhere with a stranger without asking for your permission.
Yet most abductors are not strangers, but are people known by the child. This means all the advice never to talk to strangers is useless if an adult known to the child becomes the abductor.
If an abductor, known or not, tries to pull your child into a car or lure him or her away, they may need to rely on help from another adult. Children should learn that it IS okay to get help from a stranger if they are in danger. So explain the difference between a bad stranger who does bad things and a good stranger who helps.
Tip #8 Play safe and have fun Childhood is supposed to be fun, no pressure, no worries. This is what parents want for our children. There is no such thing as a perfect world, and children understand this better than we think. The news is filled with horror stories each night, which gives everyone, including children, a bleak picture of the world. Every city and town has its own problems.
But the world is not filled with bad people. Violent crimes are committed by a small percentage of the population. These people are dangerous to adults and children.
Children need to understand that these predators have patterns and habits that can be avoided, as in Tip #2 and Tip #3 and Tip #4. Once children realize this, they can avoid danger and protect themselves and be more carefree.
Children should understand that most would not harm them but that the bad guys don’t wear black. Remind your children to play safe, have fun, and enjoy being a kid.
Other tips to remember
Never allow your children to go alone to video arcades, public restrooms, parks, public pools, movie theaters, door-to-door selling, or school yards after hours.
Instruct your children to always use the buddy system.
Don’t display your child’s name on the outside of their clothing. This makes it easier for a stranger to approach and pretend to be your child’s friend.
Tell your children to avoid shortcuts and isolated areas.
These tips are reprinted courtesy of Child Watch. Some may be edited.
