Be ALERT Safety Tips for Parents

National Advocate
Volume IV, Number 2

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Never leave your child unattended. Never leave a child alone in a car. Remember, someone with experience can break into your car in less than thirty seconds.

Listen when your child tells you he or she does not want to be with someone. Direct questioning may reveal something you should know about.

Be involved in your child's activities. Know your child's friends.

Pay attention when someone shows greater than normal interest in your child. Find out why. Be doubly cautious in this situation. Don't allow opportunities for that adult to have your child alone.

Be sensitive to changes in your child's behavior or attitudes. Be especially alert for any talk betraying premature sexual understanding. Never belittle any fear or concern on the part of your children.

Avoid communicating hysteria or excessive fear for their safety.

Be prepared to describe your children accurately; including clothing, visible identifying marks or special characteristics. Think of those items now and write them down. It may be more difficult to concentrate in a time of extreme stress.

Develop a set procedure should you and your child become separated while away from home. (Example, both may call a trusted friend and leave an address and telephone number to call back. Then wait at the phone until reunited.)

Do not buy items which visibly display your child's name. It could give an abductor the advantage of seeming to know your child. ("Hey, Billy, your Mom's been in an accident. We need to rush to the hospital. Jump in the car!")

Take a photograph of your child each year (4 times each year if under age 2). Have several copies on hand in case your child turns up missing

Be sure your child's school or day care center will not release him or her to anyone other than you or someone you officially designate.

Instruct the school to contact you immediately if your child is absent, or if someone other than you arrives to pick up him or her without advance notice from you.

Reprinted with permission, in the National Advocate, from Survivors and Victims Empowered, Child Protection Guide. Spring 1996