Making your home a place of trust and support is the most important thing a parent can do. Children who feel ignored or belittled are more vulnerable to abduction or exploitation. REMEMBER, there is no substitute for care and supervision.
Here are some tips to help you keep your children safe:
1. Know where your children are at all times. Know your children's friends and know where they live. As a rule, your children should let you know where they are going and if there are any changes in plans.
Update the addresses and phone numbers of your children's friends. Get to know their parents.
2. NEVER leave your children alone in a public place or in a car, even for a moment. Don't think they're safe if the doors are locked and the alarm is on. Kidnappers can open any vehicle in seconds. Teach your children what to do if they get separated. Teach them how to use the phone to call home or 9-1-1.
3. Keep your windows and doors locked. It seems like a simple thing, but many people don't do it. Stalkers prefer homes that have unlocked doors or windows. Always lock your car doors when driving or parked.
4. Find out about babysitters, housekeepers, and daycare providers. Check references and pay them unexpected visits to see how their children are doing. Ask your child about the person and listen to the answer.
Be alert if someone is paying unusual attention to your children or giving them inappropriate or expensive gifts.
5. Without scaring them, explain tactics that kidnappers can use. Some of the most common tricks are to say: “Can you help me find my dog?” “Can you tell me how to get to the store?” “Can you help me carry this package?”
In crowded places (stores, fairs, etc.), keep little ones in their strollers. Use “hand ropes,” Velcro bracelets with flexible strings, or even a harness to keep children close.
7. Never let a child enter a public restroom alone, it is not a suitable place for a child to be alone. No matter what gender your child is, take them into the bathroom with you. Sadly, even older children have been kidnapped, assaulted and murdered in public restrooms.
9. Identify safe areas for your children. Walk to school with your children and identify vacant lots, alleys and other places that could be dangerous. Make a map of acceptable routes, including main roads and avoiding sidewalks and back streets. If your children take the bus, visit the bus stop with them. Update maps and route information frequently.
10. Don't put your child's name on clothing, a backpack, or any other item. This gives stalkers the opportunity to address your child by name.
11. Explain the concept of “stranger” to your children. Instead of telling them not to talk to “strangers,” teach them to be alert to threatening behavior and situations. The term “stranger” is not easy for children to understand.
Once someone has said, “Hi, kid, what’s your name?” a child may no longer view that person as a stranger. Children also have the misconception that strangers are scary-looking. Talk about different ways to identify potentially dangerous circumstances.
Keep in mind that some “strangers” may come to your children’s aid when they need help. Tell your children to look for mothers with children, other children, police officers in uniform, or store workers at the mall if they need help.
13. Keep recent photographs, descriptions and records of your children. Be prepared for the remote possibility that your child may one day disappear. Keep a complete and up-to-date description of your child, including hair color, eye color, height, weight and date of birth. Also note other physical characteristics, such as glasses, braces and pierced ears.
14. Talk openly about safety issues and listen carefully to what your child has to say. Children need to know that they can talk to you and that you will listen and understand what they say. If children feel that you are not comfortable discussing something, they may not feel confident talking about it. Don't avoid talking about topics that your children want to discuss. Consider a child's age when talking to them and provide information in a way that is age-appropriate. Younger children prefer role-playing and repetition of messages. Older children can learn from current events or real-life cases. Keep the following in mind:
Children ages 3 to 5 are naturally curious and trusting of people, but may not recognize potentially dangerous situations. Children ages 6 to 9 can remember information and apply it, but a difficult situation may be too much for them.
Children ages 10 to 13 may misjudge their ability to handle a difficult situation. They may also not give much thought to danger.
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