Information for new parents to help with the constant protection of kids. Ideas about where you should look, what you should be aware of, and how to position yourself.
Protecting your children is what every parent needs to do. Every day children are kidnapped, and it is often by someone that they know. Rather than warning your child to beware of strangers and people that they do not
know, teach them and tell them about situations that they can avoid, and suspicious adult behavior that they should watch out for.
To minimize the chance of abduction, doctors suggest that you should teach your children the following as soon as he or she is old enough to: the child knows his or her own first name, and last name, phone number, and address(including the area code). The child should also know his or her parents first and last names, and if at all possible, their work and home phone numbers.
The child should also know how to dial the local police or emergency number in case of an emergency. The child should know how to dial 911.The child should also know how to
dial the phone number of a neighbor or a friend close
by. The child should also know how to dial a long distance phone call, and or the operator. Never leave your child alone in the park, a house, outside, or in a school yard. Also make certain that you know where you child is, or where your child will be going. Never hitchhike, and teach this to your children at a young age. Make a plan with your children about what to do if you get separated in a shopping mall, or theme park.
Point out a meeting place for all of you to meet back at if you become lost at any point during the trip. Never let anyone use your phone while you are at home alone, and never tell anyone on the phone that you are home alone.
Never answer the door while you are alone.
Never leave your child in a parked car alone. Never.
When you send your children off to school or day care, make sure that you sign a paper saying that the only way someone can take your children out of school is by you
or another guardian.
Be involved in your child's activities. Get to know there friends and family and where they live. Observe when an adult lavishes a great deal of attention on your child. Find out why. Take photos of your family often, so that you always have an up to date piture in case anything happens.
Do not buy clothing for your child bearing their name or address. If your child walks to school, make sure he or she walks with other children as well. Teach your child that if they feel like someone is following them, to go to the nearest house and ask for help: do not try to hide or run. Teach your child to avoid adults who hang around playgrounds, or adults who want to play with them.
Teach your child to yell and scream and make as much commotion as they can if he or she is being abducted.
Most importantly, every child and parent should have a "code" word that they use. If someone approaches your child, they have to say the secret word, or else the child will know not to go with that adult.
Teach your children to learn about protecting themselves at a early age. Remember that you as the parent are the one that your children learn from, so be a good example, and
teach them about their own protection before it is too late.
