Be vigilant
& keep children safe
It is a sad fact that crime is
increasing.
It is a worrying fact that
no-one  considers that they or
loved ones could be at risk.

We buy car insurance and
health insurance but little
thought is given to personal
safety.  

Why?

The criminals are out there.     
Statistics are alarming.

Is there anything more
important  than your safety
and the safety of your family?   
                         
 Act now!               
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing...           Edmund Burke
What can you do?
Read our website info pages
Book a personal safety party -
it's fun and informative.
Check out personal safety
products, alarms, pepper
spray etc
Or just be more alert, make a
plan think out what you would
do if attacked and decide on a
family code word.
It may be a lucky chance that
you are reading this
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Do your children walk or cycle to school? Do they visit
the mall or the playground alone?
Explain to them the 'do's and don'ts'.

Obviously they should not go off with strangers. Tell
them that there are people who will try and trick them,
they'll promise them candies or ask their help saying
that their dog or cat is missing or hurt or even that
mom or dad has told them to pick them up. So how can
you protect them? Have a code word. A special word
unique to your family. Tell your children that if you ask
anyone to pick them up they will be given the code
word. If you think your child would use one
appropriately give them a personal alarm to carry. Tell
them to use it if they feel threatened or in danger.
And/or bite, kick, and scream. Tell them to shout and
keep shouting ' help - you are not my mommy/daddy'
The biggest misconception about the danger of a child
being abducted is that abductions are only carried out
by strangers. In a majority of cases, children are
abducted by a person they or their parents know. We
should not only teach our children to be cautious of
strangers, but we should also instruct them to adhere
to the following:

1. Children should always get your approval before
going anywhere, including inside someone's home.
Emphasize to your children that it is necessary to get
your approval, even if they are asked to go
somewhere with someone you or they know.

2. Children should always tell you the names and
addresses of their friends. You should get to know
your children's friends, their parents, and where they
live. Speak with the parents of your children's friends
to ensure your children will be supervised if allowed to
visit their home.

3. Children should never play outside alone. Children
should never be left unsupervised since this increases
their risk of being abducted.

4. Teach your children to be aware of their
surroundings and to quickly move away from any adult
they believe is following them. Children should be
taught that if someone tries to abduct them, they
should scream as loud as they can, "This person is
trying to take me away" or "This is not my parent."

5. Children should be taught to stay away from people
in cars. Tell your children never to approach a car,
engage in conversation with anyone in a car, or go
anywhere with any person in a car without your
approval.

6. For use in emergencies, you may want to create a
"password" known only to you and your child that if
told to your child lets him/her know it is okay to go with
them.

7. Sometimes abductors, with whom a child is familiar,
will say they have been sent by a parent to pick them
up. Children should be taught never to go with anyone
unless you have told them in advance it is okay or they
know the "codeword" that you and your child have
agreed upon in such situation.

8. Children should be taught that if anyone gives them
a gift or shows them a great deal of attention they
should inform you. Abductors will often initiate an
innocent contact with a child to try to get close to them.

9. When you and your children are at a public place,
such as a shopping mall or park, you may want to
designate an area where they should go in the event
they get separated from you. Children should be
taught that if they get separated from you in a public
place they should not wander around. Instead, they
should go to a checkout counter or to a security guard
and ask for help.

10. Children should be taught that if a stranger asks to
take their picture to tell the stranger "NO" and then to
inform you (or their teacher) immediately. Someone
who is interested in taking a picture of your child
should be asking you, and not your child. Child
predators may have an interest in your child and want
a picture to use when fantasizing about them. Once
fantasy is not enough, it could turn to abduction.

11. Children should be taught that if an adult asks
them for help that they should stay away from them.
Explain to your children that adults should not be
asking them for help, but should be asking other
adults. Emphasize that an adult should never be
asking them for help in any situation, including asking
for directions or locating a lost animal, such as a
puppy or cat. Also, explain to your child that they
should never go anywhere with someone who tells
them their parents are in trouble and need their help.

12. Children should be taught that if an adult asks
them to keep a secret or tells them things that make
them feel uncomfortable to inform you immediately.
Abductors will often initiate innocent contact with a
child to try to get close to them. It is a good idea to
check the background of all adults who have a position
of authority over your children such as babysitters,
caregivers, coaches, and teachers.

13. Children should be taught that it is okay for them
to say "NO" to adults, especially if they sense they are
being asked to do something that is wrong. They
should then inform you immediately of the event.


Internet safety

This is a newer threat and it is a tremendous worry for
parents. But it is not just children who are susceptible
and vulnerable. These predators also prey on adults.
The lonely and depressed have been targeted too.
They insinuate themselves into your life under the
guise of confidant and supporter. They morph your
character and endeavor to alienate you from friends
and family. Then when you are most vulnerable they
strike. If your children frequent chat rooms you need to
follow the guidelines to protect them. Monitor sites like
MySpace.   

Parents are one of the greatest influences on their
children and their first and best teachers. Young
children learn to talk, walk, and interact by watching
their parents. As children grow up, they look to their
parents to provide guidance, information, nurturing,
and expectations. Even during the teenage years
when many parents feel they have little influence over
their children’s decisions, teens look to them to
determine what’s right and wrong. Teens say that their
parents are more influential in their decisions than
friends, teachers, coaches, and the news media.  

For this reason, parents are also the best resource to
keep their children safe and healthy. As children look
to parents for knowledge and guidance, parents can
help children develop the skills they need to make
positive choices today and for the rest of their lives.

The following topics are common issues and safety
concerns that children face as they grow up. Follow
the links for information on the topic and how parents
can act to keep their children safe, give them skills to
protect themselves and resist negative peer pressure,
and engage them in positive activities. Also, read
NCPC brochures and tip sheets for advice that you
can print out and take with you, and share with others.
Children's Safety
Informacion oficial in Espanol
Try BeauRiche.com for information on
vacation villas and travelling with
children.
Latest crime figures show that
1 person in every 27
will be personally
affected by a crime this year
Approximately 1 home in 5
Will it be someone in your
home?