Help protect your kids from strangers
Help protect your kids from strangers Published: March 21, 2006 According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the number of reported abducted children has exceeded 300,000 per year. More than 200,000 of these abductions involve a family member and 3,000 to 5,000 children are involved in so-called "stranger danger" cases, taken by a non-family member. While the vast majority of children are recovered quickly, 200 to 300 cases involve murder or ransom demands. Here are some tips to better inform your children about abduction: Talk to your children about abductions. It will reduce the risk of their becoming a victim. The only chance a child has against predators is your willingness as a parent to sit down and talk about it. It is important to reassure your child that abductions are rare and most people are good to children, but they should be prepared. Remind your child to be apprehensive of strangers, but let them know that even familiar people should not be allowed to intrude their personal space. Some common ploys abductors use include asking a child for help looking for their pet or for directions, offering gifts or candy, threats or even claims the child's parents are hurt or that they were sent to pick the child up. Your family should develop a secret code word and anyone who is contacting your child should know the code word or your child should be instructed to get away from them. Make sure your child never opens the door for strangers or anyone who does not know the secret word. Tell your child to never tell a caller they are alone. By Lincoln County Sheriff Dennis Dotson http://www.thenewsguard.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=4341