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Protect your child from being stolen or abducted

Many parents feel apprehensive about teaching their children the dangers of possible abduction and how to protect themselves from dangerous people and situations. Parents often worry that they will unnecessarily frighten their children. However, consider this…parents teach their children the dangers of crossing a busy street, of cooking on a hot stove, of using sharp scissors. Children learn to accomplish these tasks safely and confidently. They do not become afraid of streets, stoves, and scissors. Similarly, you can teach your children to protect themselves from dangerous people and to help themselves in a bad situation.

Studies show that 70% of American children are afraid of being abducted and/or harmed by a stranger. By teaching your children the following survival skills, you will be helping them deal with this fear by giving them a sense of confidence, security, and strength.

• Remember that carnivals, fairs, public restrooms, and malls are the most common places where abductions occur.
• Always go with your child to the restroom when in a public place.
• Never leave your child alone in a car.
• Establish a family password and make sure the children know that no one will ever come to pick them up in your place without knowing the password.
• Teach children that they have rights, even the right to say "No!" to adults in certain situations…including adults who want to do something that makes the child feel funny or uncomfortable or those who want the child to go somewhere with them that hasn’t been approved by their parents.
• Admit to your child when you are wrong about something. This shows your child that adults are not always right.
• Be sure your children understand what a stranger is and realize that is it almost impossible to tell by appearances which strangers may try to hurt them. Teach them that they are never to get in cars with strangers or accept gifts from them.
• Potential abductors often ask children to do favors for them. Tell your child that no matter what a person says, the child should never go with anyone unless you have given the child permission, or the person gives the correct code word.
• Teach children to stay at least two arms’ lengths away from a person, or a person’s car, that they are unsure of. Tell them to never lean into a stranger’s car window, for any reason.
• Practice with children what they should do if they get separated from you in a store or a crowd. Tell children to go to a sales clerk or checkout counter to get help…do not wander around the store or go out into the parking lot.
• Never leave children unattended in a car.
• Be sure that your child’s school or day care provider knows who is allowed to pick up your child and that they are not to release the child to anyone else.
• Keep records on your child which include their fingerprints, blood type, lock of hair, recent picture, (children under 2 years of age should have a picture taken every three months), and dental records. FINGERPRINTS MUST BE TAKEN BY A PROFESSIONAL IN THE FIELD OR THEY WILL DO YOU NO GOOD.
• Be sure your child does not wear any clothing item which has his name printed on it, since this makes it easier for a stranger to convince your child he is a friend.
• Instruct children not to answer the door when they are home alone but to go to the phone, be ready to dial "911," and turn on a television or stereo to make noise if someone tries to break in. Teach them not to tell people on the phone that they are home alone.
• Show your child the homes and shops in your neighborhood that are safe places to seek help in case of danger.
• Make sure your children know their full names, phone numbers (including area code), how to dial an operator, and their full addresses (including the state).
• If you are divorced or separated, be sure that you have legal documents stating the custody situation. Be sure you know your separated partner’s address, car make and license number.
• Assure your children every chance you get that you love and care about them.
• Urge your local school to conduct safety programs.
• Meet with mall and store managers to arrange that store doors would be immediately closed and locked if a child is reported missing.

8 Safety Rules for Kids

1. Before I go anywhere, I check first with my parents or the person in charge. I will tell them where I am going, how I will get there, who will be going with me, and when I’ll be back.
2. I check first for permission from my parents before getting into a car or leaving with anyone - even someone I know. I check first before changing plans or accepting money, gifts, or medicine without my parents knowledge.
3. It is safer for me to be with other people when going places or playing outside. I always use the "buddy system".
4. I say "NO" if someone tries to touch me in ways that make me feel frightened, uncomfortable, or confused. Then I go and tell a grown-up I trust what happened.
5. I know it is not my fault if someone touches me in a way that is not okay. I don’t have too keep secrets about those touches.
6. I trust my feelings and talk to grown-ups about problems that are to big for me to handle on my own. A lot of people care about me and will listen and believe me. I am not alone.
7. It is never too late to ask for help. I can keep asking until I get the help I need.
8. I am a special person, and I deserve to feel safe. My rules are:

• Check first.
• Use the "buddy system".
• Say "NO", get away, tell someone.
• Listen to my feelings, and talk with grown-ups I trust about my problems and concern.

How To Get Away!

• Teach children to yell from their diaphragm, not scream, if they need help. Yelling is distinct and easily identified from the typical high-pitched screaming children do as they play. Practice with them so they will feel comfortable yelling if anyone tries to take them away.
• If someone grabs your child from behind and tries to cover their mouth, teach him/her to grab the abductor’s little finger and pull it as far back as they can, while yelling for help.
• Teach children that they should try anything possible to keep an abductor from taking them away to a secluded area. Even if the abductor has a weapon, he/she is much less likely to hurt the child in public. The child’s chances of serious injury and death are multiplied if the abductor is able to get them to a secluded area.
• Teach children that they can be strong! They should always fight if someone tries to grab them. Teach them to stomp their heel on the abductor’s instep, scrape his/her shin with their heel, poke their fingers in the abductor’s eyes, use house keys, pencils, or anything else they may have as weapons.
• If someone begins following your child in a car, teach your child to turn and run the opposite direction that the car is facing. The time that is takes the car to turn around could be the few minutes your child needs to be to a safe location.