For Parents with Pre-School-Aged Kids
Teach the child alternate places to go. In case your child cannot go home or if the house is locked and nobody is there to open the door for him or her, teach the child to go to another designated house. It could be your next-door neighbor’s houses or a relative’s. Pre-arrange this with them.
Teach your child to shout for help if being followed. In case your child senses that he or she is being followed by a stranger on foot or by car, he or she must cry for help and run towards the house or a neighbor’s house.
Tell your child not to open the door if he’s alone. If your child is at home with your household help, leave instructions never to open the door for anyone except you. Also, teach your child never to toll anyone on the telephone that he or she is alone in the house.
Remind your child to report to you strangers touching him. Teach your child to immediately tell you if he or she has been touched by anyone in any private part of the body. Assure the child that no punishment will be meted to him or her if he or she tells the truth about this.
Practice your child to recite name, telephone, address, etc. Do that often and include your neighbor’s phone. Periodically train him or her to dial your home number.
Remind them not to play alone, especially in dark, secluded places. Stress the importance of safety in numbers. Know all the friends and classmates of your child, including their telephone numbers and addresses.
Teach your child a code. Codes are important. So train your child some form of code especially when they will have to be fetched by friends, neighbors, relatives.
Tell the child never to talk to strangers. Teach the child to avoid anyone he or she does not know well. Tell him not to accept candy, toy or an), thing from a total stranger.
The authorities are enjoining parents to always hold regular sessions with their kids and teach them how and what to do to avoid getting abducted. The following should also be always on a parent’s checklist:
• What your child wears every single day.
• Put a mark or name on her belongings and clothes. Don’t use nicknames or first names, just the family names.
• Record everything about your child–his height, weight, moles and birthmarks.
• Have frontal photograph of your son or daughter as well as other pictures in different poses. A dental record will also help in the identification.
• Ask your child his plans for the day and that it is okay to say “no” even to an adult.
• Remember that communication is the key to keeping your child safe. Often children are confused and afraid to report a frightening incident. Make it a point to listen to your child and make them comfortable so that they can open up and discuss sensitive things with you.
One final reminder, if your child is missing, immediately call:
• The Police
• His or her friends
• Radio and TV stations
• Hotlines, for missing children
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