You need good communication with your child(ren), they should feel comfortable telling you anything and everything. Listen carefully when they are telling you about things that happen to them. If the child tells you about an inappropriate encounter, you need to remain calm and avoid showing that you are upset. The child needs to know that it is all right to talk to you about this incident and that they didn't do anything to upset you.

When talking to your child(ren) about something as important as their safety, you need to have an environment free of distractions (no open windows to look out, no TV or radio on, no computer on, etc.) so that you can get their full attention. You should take a moment to let the child(ren) know that you love them and assure them of your willingness to talk and listen. You will want to review the rules of behavior periodically, so you might want to make a quiz game out of it. Be sure to praise them for knowing the right answers.

YOU SHOULD: Never assume that your child(ren) will not be abused, abducted, exploited, or missing!

YOU SHOULD: Get your child(ren) a passport. It is difficult and suspicious when anyone tries to get them another.

YOU SHOULD: Have current pictures of your child(ren) and keep track of their height and weight.

YOU SHOULD: Keep identification records such as fingerprints, a DNA sample, dental and medical records, X-rays, birth certificates, etc.

YOU SHOULD: Avoid putting your child(ren)'s first name on clothing, toys, bikes, backpacks, etc. where it would be easily observed and used to initiate a converstaion.

YOU SHOULD: Know your child(ren)'s friends, their friends' parents, and their addresses and phone numbers.

YOU SHOULD: Know your child(ren)'s daily activities and habits.

YOU SHOULD: Never leave your child(ren) unattended. Do not drop them off alone at movies, shopping malls, arcades, or parks.

YOU SHOULD: Always leave a telephone number and location where you can be reached when you are away from your child(ren).

YOU SHOULD: Have arrangements with a trusted responsible adult that your child(ren) can go to or call when they need help and cannot contact you.

 Teach your child(ren) how to protect themselves.

TEACH YOUR CHILD(REN): His/her full name, parents' full names, address including city and state, and telephone number including area code.

TEACH YOUR CHILD(REN): Where to find telephone numbers to contact you (work, cell phone, pager, etc.), and how to use "911" and "0" in an emergency.

TEACH YOUR CHILD(REN): Who they can call or go to when they need help and you are not with them and they can't contact you. They also need to know about "safe houses" and "McGruff Trucks" where they can go for help.

TEACH YOUR CHILD(REN): That they shoud never let anyone into the house, even when you are there, and that they should never give out your address or phone number unless you have given them permission to do so.

TEACH YOUR CHILD(REN): That they should never accept candy, toys, puppies, kittens, or anything else from anyone unless you tell them it is all right.

TEACH YOUR CHILD(REN): A password that is known only to you and your child(ren), and that they should not tell anyone what the password is. They should never get in a car or go anywhere with anyone unless the person knows the password. Even if the person offers to take the child to their mother, father, brother, or sister who is in trouble, if the person doesn't know the password, the child should  immediately leave the area and tell a trusted adult, teacher, or other authority about the incident.

TEACH YOUR CHILD(REN): That they should never go anywhere with anyone asking for help to find something like a lost pet. (A responsible adult should not be asking for help from a child.)

TEACH YOUR CHILD(REN): That if they become separated from you in a public place, they should not wander around looking for you, but should immediately go to a checkout counter, security office, or lost and found and tell the person in charge that they need help.

TEACH YOUR CHILD(REN): Not to go places alone, but to always use the "buddy system" and go with friends. Don't take shortcuts, stay in areas where there are other people. Pay attention to their surroundings, be aware of the people around them. If they see anyone who makes them nervous or uncomfortable, they should leave the area and if they are followed, they should run to where there are other people. Do not try to hide!

TEACH YOUR CHILD(REN): That the parts of their body that their bathing suit covers are "private parts" and nobody should be touching them there. No one has the right to touch them in a way that makes them uncomfortable and they should tell you if anyone does.

TEACH YOUR CHILD(REN): That strangers are people that they do not know well even if they see them every day, such as a neighbor or a bus driver. Your child(ren) should know that not all strangers are bad people, but they should not be alone with them.

TEACH YOUR CHILD(REN): If someone tries to take them somewhere, they should do whatever they have to to get away from that person including screaming, kicking, or biting. Then they should run away and tell someone they trust as soon as they can.

TEACH YOUR CHILD(REN): That you love them and want them to be at home with you and if they are ever abducted they should not believe anything their abductor says. Tell them that you will be looking for them until you find them and bring them home.

These tips are meant to be an aid to you in keeping your child(ren) safe. We realize that there may be other things you wish to warn your child(ren) about. In fact, if you have suggestions about things that we should add to this list, please contact us: info@bannerkids.org