lute@abnjh.UUCP (J. Collymore) (04/11/84)
This information is taken from a newsletter I recently received from Senator Bill Bradley (New Jersey). I felt that those of you on the net, with children or young relatives, would appreciate having this information. ******************************************************************************* HOW TO PREVENT CHILD ABDUCTIONS - Teach your child their full name, address (including city and state) and telephone number (including area code). Make sure that your child knows how to make a long-distance call, and how to call 911. - Keep a file with your child's photographs (taken at least once a year), fingerprints and dental records. If your child is under 2, take pictures 4 times a year. - Teach your child to avoid strangers, especially those who offer them presents or ask to take their pictures. - Never leave your child alone in a car. Always accompany your child to the bathroom in a public place. - Tell your child never to answer the door while home alone or tell anyone over the phone that they are alone. - Explain to your child what to do in the event that the two of you become separated. If you are shopping, for example, tell your child never to go to the parking lot, but to go to the nearest checkout counter and ask a clerk for help. - Make sure that your child's school or day care center will not release him or her to anyone without your permission. If you must send an unfamiliar adult to pick up your child, have a prearranged code with your child to use as a signal. - Give your child permission to say "no" to an adult. Emphasize that no one has the right to touch them or ask them to keep a secret from you. - Try to be more aware of children in public places. If you see a child that appears to be lost or frightened, DO NOT approach the child. Since children are being taught to avoid strangers, you will only frighten them more. Get someone to locate a policeman or security guard for assistance while you make sure that nothing happens to the child. - If a child APPROACHES YOU and says that they are lost, or has been abducted, act as quickly as you can in getting help. There have been cases of children who have appealed for help and adults failed to act in time before the abductors returned. ******************************************************************************* I hope the sharing of this information will be useful to you. Jim Collymore