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Keeping Our Children Safe Tips for Avoiding Abduction Stories of child abductions across the United States have heightened our awareness and reminded us to be familiar with some key safety tips. Here are some things your family can do to help protect our children. • Teach your child NEVER to approach a car for any reason unless you have given your permission, even if the driver looks lost or asks for help.
• Teach your child NEVER to accept candy, gifts, or invitations without your permission.
• Teach your child ALWAYS to get a parent’s permission to leave the house, yard, or play area, or to go to someone else’s home.
• Arrange with a few neighbors, whom you know well and trust, to provide “safe havens” for each other’s children in case of trouble.
• Remember that children are often abducted by people they know – not just “strangers” – and that teenagers as well as younger children can be vulnerable.
• Teach your child to tell you or another trusted adult if anyone tries to touch him or her in an inappropriate way, asks personal questions, or otherwise makes him or her feel uneasy.
• Warn your child about ruses kidnappers use to lure children, like asking for directions, seeking help in finding a lost pet, or claiming there is a family emergency.
• Make sure your child knows his or her complete name, address, phone number (including the area code) and school bus number if applicable.
• NEVER leave children alone in a car or stroller, even for just a minute.
• Always have a current photo of your child available and be able to provide current height, weight and other physical characteristics in the event he or she gets lost.
• Monitor children’s Internet activities and tell them never to give out personal information.
• Make sure that child custody papers are in order and that your child’s school knows who is and is not authorized to pick him or her up.
• When you take your children to a public place such as a mall or park, discuss what to do if you become separated.
• If your children are old enough to stay home alone, make sure they keep the doors locked and teach them NEVER to tell anyone who knocks or calls that they are alone. Provided as a public service by the City of Shaker Heights and the Shaker Heights City School District. Please call Police Chief Ugrinic’s office if you require further assistance: (216) 491-1240.
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