Keep Your Children Safe

To view missing children, click on title above or go to http://www.pollyklaas.org/missing.

We take this time to remember all children who have gone missing from their homes and their families.

A child can go missing for an hour, a day, a week, a month, several years, or forever. The impact on the child, the families and friends, is lifelong.

In our sadness and grief for these children and their families we ask, "What can we do?"

Please know that you are not helpless. There are many things you can do that make a real impact.

According to the Department of Justice, nationally every 37 seconds a child is reported missing. That’s more than 2,300 children reported missing everyday, 70,000 a month, and 852,000 a year. Here are some ways to keep your child safe and what to do if your child disappears.

- Teach your child their full name, your full name, phone number including area code, and full address.


- When in a public place always watch your child, never leave them alone, and always accompany them to the restroom. If your child becomes separated from you teach them to look for uniformed security officers, or sales people wearing nametags. Tell them to never leave the store, and never go into the parking lot alone.


- Take an active role in your child’s life. Know where he/she is at all times, know their daily activities and know their friends. Listen to everything your child tells you.


- Teach your child to ask permission before going anywhere. Teach them the “buddy system” and never to travel alone.


- Teach them that it is all right to be suspicious of an adult asking for assistance from a child.


- Teach your child that they have a right to say “no” and run away when something is wrong.


- Create a code with your child incase there is an emergency and a trusted adult needs to contact them. Teach them that this code word is a secret and should not be shared with friends.


- Teach your child how to call 911. Tell them to speak slowly, loudly, and clearly, and never hang up.


- Have your child finger-printed and obtain DNA samples.


- Always have a current photograph of your child.


- Know your child’s weight and height.


- If you are separated or divorced make sure your child’s school knows about visitation rights, is your ex-spouse allowed to pick the child up from school?


- Make sure your child knows that every person who they do not know well is considered a stranger. Even people they see everyday, neighbors and bus drivers can be strangers. This doesn’t mean that all strangers are bad, it means your child should not ever be alone with them without your permission.


- Teach your child what to do in an emergency situation.


- Assure your child that if he/she is lost or abducted that you will always love them and look for them until he/she is found, no matter what. Make sure they know that you will always want them to come home.


- Tell your child when he/she is home alone never to answer the door or the phone until he/she knows who it is.


- Keep a complete description of your child; color of hair, color of eyes, height, weight, date of birth, any unique physical description (wears glasses, had braces, birthmarks, tattoos, piercings, etc…)

- Take color photographs of your child every six months. Make sure your child is easily recognizable in the photo. Head and shoulder shots from different angles are preferred, take some candid shots as well to show what your child looks like doing activity.

- Know where your child’s medical and dental records are located. Make sure authorities know if your child has any medical problems.

- If you think your child is missing, act immediately! If your child is missing from home check anywhere they could be hiding (closets, under the bed, piles of laundry, and in old appliances such as an old refrigerators, and dryers.) If they are not there call 911. If you are away from home and your child is missing notify security and ask for assistance, call 911. When you talk to police try to stay calm identify yourself and your location. Tell them your child’s name, and a full description including what he/she is wearing when he/she disappeared.

Sources: http://www.childawareness.org , Family Trusted Safety Tips www.childid.com , National Missing Children's Locate Center - USA,


****Looking at Missing Child Pictures****
We know it's emotionally tough to do, but here's how to look at these important pictures:

Pause.
Silence the little voice that says, "I'd never recognize anyone."
Take a moment and just look—focus on facial features, not on clothing, glasses, or hair.
If you get the feeling you've seen the child, believe it.
You'll probably soon remember where and when—or you can search www.pollyklaas.org and other missing child databases to jog your memory.
Call our caseworkers at 1-800-587-4357. You can provide information anonymously or leave your name.