By: Thomas Trotts
Did you know there are over 2,000 reports of missing and abducted children to the FBI everyday? That's an incredible number, and that's only the ones that are actually reported.
In this lesson were going to discuss some easy child safety techniques you can teach your child to stay safe when your out and about in public, or when he/she might find themselves alone. But before we get started here's an interesting but frightening fact: Did you know that a child becomes missing, abducted, or lost about EVERY 40 seconds! Keep reading and let's do our best to keep your child safe today, and make sure that he/she is going to come home!
Unfortunately the reality is, you can't always be with your child. Occasionally your child is left in the care and supervision of other adults. As horrible as it is to imagine, the fact is, most child abductions occur by close family friends and/or other adults that the child is already familiar with. However, here are a few things you can teach your child that will empower them with the awareness they need to help keep them safe...even when you can't be there.
This is a 3 part series with some simple child safety steps you can take that will greatly minimize the chances of your child becoming missing or abducted. The experts recommend that you teach your child the following child protection techniques:
Here we go...
1. You should always be sure your child knows his/her name, address, including city, state, zip code; phone number, including area code; parents' names, work addresses(or atleast the business names of where they work), and phone numbers.
2. Your child should feel confident using both push button phones, as well as, the old style rotary-dial telephones.
3. Always make sure your child knows how to make an emergency call to you or emergency services from a pay phone.
4. How to make a long distance call (both directly to you using the area code, and by dialing "0" for the operator).
5. Your child should never tell anyone over the phone that she is home alone, and NEVER open the door to strangers when she is home alone.
6. Never to answer the door when home alone. Remind your child to talk through a door or window to anyone delivering a package, and to tell the person to leave the package at the door. Teach your child how to call your community's emergency assistance number (often 911/ 100). Make sure he knows a neighbor to call if someone tries to get into the house or if there is any kind of emergency.
7. They need to be aware that it's not safe and should never go into anyone's home without your permission. Children should learn who's homes they are allowed to enter.
These are just a few of the basic child safety lessons you can teach your child to keep them safe and out of harms way.
Here we will discuss some child safety and child protection techniques you can take when your in public places, or when he/she might find themselves alone.
1. This one is VERY important! If you become separated from your child, he/she needs to know to never look for you if they become lost while shopping or in a public place. Instead, they need to go to the nearest checkout counter, security office, or lost and found, and tell the person in charge that she has lost his/her mom or dad and needs help in finding them. And they should NEVER go to a parking lot without you.
2. Teach your child the importance of the "buddy system." To walk and play with others. If your child walks to school, have them walk with other children. A child is most vulnerable when alone.
3. Your child needs to understand and realize that adults do not usually ask children for directions or help, but should be asking other adults. If someone in a car should stop to ask for directions, they should not go near the car.
4. Should your child notice someone following them on foot or in a car, to immediately go to a place where there are other people - to a neighbor's home or into a store, for instance - and ask for help. They should not go near the car to talk to anyone inside and should NOT try to hide behind tree's or bushes. They should NEVER hide!
5. Children need to be aware that no one should ever be asking them to help look for a "lost puppy" or telling them that either of his/her parents are in trouble and that they will take them to mom or dad.
6. It's so important they understand the safety rules with cars! They need to NEVER go near a car with someone in it or to get into a car without your permission. Your child should learn who's car they are allowed to ride in. Warn you child that someone might try to lure them into the car by telling them you said to pick him/her up; tell him/her never to obey instructions like these. Instead, they should go back to the school for help. Teach your child a "code word" that is only known among family members. Stress to your child that anyone offering a ride unexpectedly-even a family friend will have been given the code word in advanced. (We will be devoting a whole article on the "code word" technique. it has saved alot of lives and realy works! Keep an eye out for it!)
7. Finally, your child should ALWAYS tell you if someone offers him/her gifts, drugs, or wants to take their picture.
We will discuss what your child needs to know when they are in the supervision or care of other people and adults. Most child abductions are perpetrated by people that your child already knows and is familiar with. It's important they understand what to do, and how to handle themselves.
1. There are "flags" that you can teach your child to be aware of, that seem to occur on a consistent bases with child abductions. One of those "flags" is that predators or would be predators often will test their potential victims. They will try and see how a child will react to seeming innocent situations. They often do this by seeing if the child can "keep a secret."
2. Your child should know to ALWAYS tell you if someone has asked them or wants them to keep a "secret"
3. That no one should ever, ever touch or attempt to touch them in ANY part of their body covered by a bathing suit. And that they should never touch anyone in these areas either. Explain to them that the body is special and private.
4. To ask anyone who drives him anywhere, not to leave him alone in the car-but if he is alone in a car, to put up the windows, leaving a "finger" space between the window glass and the rim, and to lock the doors and stay near the car horn. If a stranger approaches the car, he should blow the horn until help arrives.
5. That she has the right to say NO to anyone who tries to take her somewhere, touches her, or makes her feel uncomfortable in any way.
6. If anyone tries to take them away to yell, "This is NOT my parent!" And keep yelling, even kicking and screaming. But ALWAYS use the words "This is not my parent!"
7. To never accept a ride with anyone else than who you allowed them to go with in the first place. Occasionally, abductors or child abduction schemes will involve a "hand off" of the child, after the child has been allowed to go with someone who is close and familiar to the family.
8. Your child should always ask permission to leave the yard or to go to a neighbors house. Older children should phone home to tell you where they are, especially if they change locations.
9. Your child should NEVER hitch hike! If your child calls and needs you pick them up, or needs a ride to go to another location. Stop what your doing and take them! They could have made a worse decision. They could be avoiding getting in a car with a drunk driver, or avoiding one of the dangers you taught them about. Give them the ride, it's easier than dealing with the stress and emotional drain of having a missing child. Or even worse yet, identifying your child’s body.
10. Teach your child to be home before dark. They may give you a hard time, but they will surely thank you later in life. And if they find themselves "late," to stay away from dark or abandoned places.
11. And finally, teach your child to To avoid adults who are waiting around a playground – particularly an adult who wants to play with them and their friends.
I hope you have found this 3 part series "Child Safety and Child Protection: Easy Steps You Can Take" useful. The information you have been provided was compiled by multiple missing child agencies from all over the United States. These are the investigators on the front lines of the more than 1.4 Million missing child cases that are reported every single year.
Use the information I have provided for you and don't take your child’s safety lightly. Practice these child safety and child protection techniques. It's important we all do our part to keeping the children of the world safe, and out of danger, today, tomorrow, and everyday for the rest of their lives.
Have An Incredible and Very Safe Day!
Thomas Trotts is a Child Safety expert, dedicated to providing quality Child Protection Services, resources for parents and families. Free gift and more: Alert Child, USA
Source:
· http://www.positivearticles.com/Article/Child-Safety-And-Child-Protection--Easy-Steps-You-Can-Take-Part-1-Of-3/1271
· http://www.positivearticles.com/Article/Child-Safety-And-Child-Protection--Easy-Steps-You-Can-Take--Part-2-Of-3/1273
· http://www.positivearticles.com/Article/Child-Safety-And-Child-Protection--Easy-Steps-You-Can-Take--Part-3-Of-3/1274
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