CHILD SAFETY TIPS

1. Approach the subject of safety in a non-threatening way. It is
important that you don’t make your child fearful of dangerous situations
or people, but cautious and able to recognize when something
is not right.

2. Encourage your child to trust his or her intuition, and to be able
to talk to you when something is bothering them. They should
know not to keep secrets from you. Open communication is very
important. Really LISTEN to your child.

3. Let your child know that their body belongs to them. No one has
the right to touch them inappropriately. If someone is making them
feel uncomfortable, they should let you know immediately.

4. Inform your child of rules pertaining to strangers. A stranger
looks just like any other person and will use several ways to lure a
child. The most common ones are: pretending to look for a lost
dog, having candy or money if the child goes to their car with
them, telling the child that they’ll hurt family members if they do not
comply, and asking for directions.

5. Let your child know that adults DO NOT ask children for help
nor do they threaten them. If they do encounter these situations
they should immediately scream, “NO!” and run quickly in the
opposite direction and tr y to nd a tr usted adult. They should never
approach an unknown car or get into a car with an adult that they
do not know. If someone tries to grab them, they should scream,
“THIS IS NOT MY PARENT!” to attract attention.

6. Share an easily-remembered secret CODE WORD . Tell your child
that if anyone approaches them and says that they are a family
friend, they must ask for the code word. If the person really is a
friend, they will know it. If they don’t, then your child should run
away as quickly as possible.

7. Never label clothing, a backpack, or other personal items with
your child’s name. An abductor could use this information to try to
gain trust.

8. Give your child instructions on what to do if they get separated
from you in a mall, super market, or other public place. T ell them to
go to a check-out counter or information desk, or to approach a
security ocer or mother with children, and let them know they are
lost and looking for their parent(s).

9. Make sure that your child knows his or her full name, address,
and phone number, the place where you work or can be contacted,
and how to dial 911, make collect calls, and dial the operator
on a pay phone.

10. Know where your child is at all times, and keep a list of their
friends, addresses, and phone numbers.

11. Remember to update your child’s records every 6-12 months
because of his or her growth.

IF YOUR CHILD IS MISSING:

Try not to panic. First check everywhere in the house, then check
with your neighbors and your child’s friends. If you still cannot
locate them, immediately call the police.

THERE IS NO WAITING PERIOD REQUIRED TO
REPORT A MISSING CHILD TO THE POLICE.

Give them a description of your child’s clothing, along with your
ChildPrint ID Kit® . Let them know when you last saw him/her.
Request that your child’s name be entered into the National Crime
Information Center Missing Person File (NCIC), which enables any
law enforcement agency in the U.S. to identify them. Call the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THELOST
to have your child enter ed into their database. Post signs
around your neighborhood and town with your child’s photo and
vital information. Be persistent in your sear ch efforts and keep hope
alive that your child will be found and returned home safely.
Visit an ATA Martial Arts location near you for more safety information!