From:
Mary Lynn Fernau
TOP TEN SAFETY TIPS:
As with any safety measure, parents should coach their
children on what to do in an emergency situation.
Wearing personal ID everyday is recommended by The KlaasKids
Foundation, The Laura Recovery Center, The National Center for Missing &
Exploited Children, The National Association of Emergency Medical
Technicians, and the new Action Director of FEMA, R. David Paulison.
1.
Instruct children to “Never” go anywhere
without first getting permission. Don’t go looking for lost pets, to
someone’s house, riding in a car.
2.
Have children wear up-to-date, discreet
personal ID at all times.
3.
Parents always carry a current photo ID of your
child. Keep fingerprints and DNA samples at home. If you have a photo phone,
take a picture of your child each day.
4.
Before going on an outing, play a game of “What
do I look like?” Have your children recite what you look like and what you
are wearing that day. Parents take note of what your children is wearing
that day. Take a picture using cell phone camera.
5.
If lost, tell children to stay where they are.
Don’t go running around looking for mommy and daddy. Assure them you will
return to where you last saw them.
6.
Instruct children to identify “Helpful
Strangers.” There are certain kinds of strangers that can assist a child
when they need help: mothers with children, uniformed police, store clerks.
7.
Teach children to show their ID to a “Helpful
Stranger” in an emergency situation.
8.
Instruct children never to play alone, teach
them to stay with at least one other child.
9.
Teach children that their body belongs to
them. Teach them to trust their feelings. Say “NO” and run away from a
situation if it doesn’t feel right.
10.
Teach children to scream “Help –
your not my mommy or daddy,” if someone tries to take them. Teach children
to rip off their Who’s Shoes ID and leave it as a clue for law enforcement
if a stranger does take them. |
