Prevention of Child Abduction

Teach Your Children:

1. Their full name, address and phone number.
2. How to make a long distance call (both directly to you using the area code and by dialing "0" for the operator or dialing 911).
3. Tell children to walk on sidewalks, as far away from the curb as possible against the flow of traffic so they can see who's approaching. That will make it more difficult for them to be surprised by a driver and quickly snatched.
4. Never go into anyone's home without your permission. Establish a Safe Home Program in your neighborhood. Children should know what homes they are allowed to enter.
5. If they become separated from you while shopping, don't look for you, but to go to the nearest checkout counter and ask the clerk, (1) if he or she works there, and (2 ) for assistance. Never go to the parking lot!
6. To walk with and play with others. The child is most vulnerable when alone. If your child walks to school, have him/her walk with other children.
7. That adults do not usually ask children for directions. If someone should stop in a car asking for directions, the child should not go near the car.
8. If someone is following them, they need to run to a safe public location, such as a restaurant, school, grocery store, shopping center, etc. Tell an adult they're in danger and to call police and parents. They should not try to hide behind bushes.
9. Never to go near a car with someone in it; never to get into car without your permission. They should know in whose car they are allowed to ride. Warn your children that someone might try to lure them into a car by saying you said to pick them up. Tell them never to obey such instructions.
10. Tell your children that, "Strangers mean danger." That a stranger is someone they and you don't know very well.
11. Never to tell anyone over the phone that they are home alone.
12. Never to answer the door when home alone. Teach your children how to call your community's emergency assistance number (911 or your local police or sheriff's number). Make sure that they know a neighbor they can call if someone tries to get into the house or if there is an emergency.
13. To tell you if an adult asks them to keep a secret.
14. That no one has the right to touch them or make them feel uncomfortable. They have the right to say; no.
15. Warn children not to fall for common lures such as: needing help finding a lost puppy. Some molesters tell youngsters they are cute and want to take their picture, or that they have a toy or candy for them. When children hear these approaches from a stranger, they should run fast to a safe place.
16. Children can make a potential abductor panic and flee by screaming at the top of their lungs, "He's kidnapping me!!!!!," or "Fire" will quickly bring attention to the attempted abduction or to yell HELP, not just scream!