nformation to have. This is extremely important in order for kids to be able to tell the police, or other helpful adults how to get in touch with their parents. Make sure that kids know the area code as well, in case they are abducted and are able to escape to call home themselves. Teach specific drills for dialing 911 and 0 so that the kids know what to do in case of an emergency at home. Let them know how serious it is, and that it is only for emergencies. All children should memorize their name, address and phone number. Parents names and work numbers are also valuable information to have.
4. WHEN LOST
We all remember a time in our childhood when we got lost and were terrified. We have also all seen children screaming or crying in stores or witnessed panicked parents trying to locate lost children. Having a prearranged course of action should this situation ever occur is a wise strategy. If a child gets lost, teach them to go to the front of the store and tell someone at the register or a policeman to please call for their parents. Remaining calm is an important issue here. It gives kids confidence to know exactly what to do. Tell them to look for people in uniform such as a policeman or a cashier at a store. If you are in a store and you’ve lost one of your children, do not leave the store – wait at the counter or contact the Lost & Found Department.
5. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
Kids have a very highly developed sixth sense. They should be taught at a young age to trust this sense. For instance, if a child tells you that a certain person gives them a bad feeling and makes them uncomfortable, believe them.
If they feel that they are being followed or someone is trying to get them, teach them to go in the opposite direction.
Make sure kids know that they are never to speak to strangers especially passers by in cars. They can be grabbed too quickly. If they can hear the person, they are too close to the car.
Teach children to ignore people they don’t know who try to talk to them.
Teach them if they think they are being followed, to go to a neighbor’s house or into a store.
If someone tries to talk to them or grab them, teach them to run in the opposite direction.
If a car slows down or if a person in a car asks for directions, teach them to stay away from the car.
Make sure that you and all your instructors understand how important it is to tell kids that it is not rude to ignore people they do not know.
6. CHECK IT OUT
All parents lead busy, hectic lives – kids, school, jobs, and social lives. Do you know how many people I have had interview me and ask me what my qualifications were as an instructor? Or ask if I had ever been in trouble with the law and checked out my references? Only 3 in my 12 year teaching career!
That’s ridiculous! Parents can never know enough about those people who have responsibility for their children. This includes teachers, baby-sitters, coaches, preaches, other friends’ parents, anyone. Check into their backgrounds; their last job, references, police record and see how you feel about them personally. Do not trust a referral. Never let someone do your job for you. Do it yourself and do it thoroughly.
7. CODE WORD
This is VITAL! Make sure that parents and kids pick out a confidential code word! Maybe it’s not convenient, but it is life saving. Most abductions are done by familiar faces – friends, co-workers, even relatives. Teach parents to decide with their kids on a secret word that only the parent and the child know; something fun and silly like pizza, lipstick, zordon (a Power Ranger character) and tell them to make sure it’s something unique.
Make sure that parents leave a list of people that their child is allowed to go home with at school or at a friend’s house with specific instructions not to release the child to anyone else.
Teach children that anyone who comes to pick them up must have this code word. If a person does not know the code word, the child must never go with that person. No code word – don’t go – no excuses. The child should not speak to that person anymore if they do not kno