stranger danger

Parents often do not provide their children with safety information that could help prevent an abduction. These strategies may help:

? Have ID-like photos taken of your children every 6 months, and have your children fingerprinted. Many local police departments sponsor fingerprinting programs - check if they're available in your town.

? Keep your children's medical and dental records up to date.
 
? Make online safety a priority. The Internet is a great tool, but it's also a perfect place for predators to stalk children. Be aware of your children's Internet activities and chat room "friends," and remind them never to give out personal information. Avoid posting identifying information or photos of your children online.

? Set boundaries about the places your children go. Supervise them in places like malls, movie theaters, parks, public bathrooms, or while fundraising door to door.

? Never leave children alone in a car or stroller, even for a minute.

? Choose caregivers - babysitters, day-care providers, and nannies - carefully and check their references. If you've arranged for someone to pick up your children from school or child care, discuss the arrangements beforehand with your children and with the school or child-care center.

? Avoid dressing your children in clothing with their names on it - children tend to trust adults who know their names.

Talking to Your Child About Strangers
Talk to your children often about safety. Give your children the basics on how to avoid and escape potentially dangerous situations. Teach them to:

• Never accept candy or gifts from a stranger.
  
• Never go anywhere with a stranger, even if it sounds like fun. Predators can lure children with questions like "Can you help me find my lost puppy?" or "Do you want to see some cute kittens in my car?" Remind your children that adults they don't know should never ask children to help or to do things for them.
  
• Run away and scream if someone follows them or tries to force them into a car.
  
• Say no to anyone who tries to make them do something you've said is wrong or touch them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable.
  
• Always tell you or another trusted adult if a stranger asks personal questions, exposes himself, or otherwise makes them feel uneasy. Reassure children that it's OK to tell you even if the person made them promise not to or threatened them in some way.
  
• Always ask permission from a parent to leave the house, yard, or play area or to go into someone's home.

Keep these other tips in mind, too:

• Make sure younger children know their names, address, phone number including area code, and who to call in case of an emergency. Review with your child how to use 911 or local emergency number. Discuss what to do if they get lost in a public place or store - most places have emergency procedures for handling lost children. Remind your children that they should never go to the parking lot to look for you. Instruct your children to ask a cashier for help or stand near the registers or front of the building away from the doors.
  
• Point out the homes of friends around the neighborhood where your children can go in case of trouble.
  
• Be sure your children know in whose car they may ride and in whose they may not. Teach them to move away from any car that pulls up beside them and is driven by a stranger, even if that person looks lost or confused. Develop code words for caregivers other than mom or dad, and remind your children never to tell anyone the code word. Teach your children not to ride with anyone they don't know or with anyone who doesn't know the code word.
  
• If your children are old enough to stay home alone, make sure they keep the door locked and never tell anyone who knocks or calls they are home alone.