A Parent’s Checklist

Young children should be taught to:

• Never say they are home alone when answering the phone. Teach your child to take a message and say their parents will phone back.

• Never answer the door. Whether home alone or with another adult, a young child is no match for someone trying to gain entry into the home or abduct the child from the entryway.

• Never invite anyone into the house without the permission of a parent or other responsible party within the home.

• Never go into other people's houses without letting parents know where they are.

• Never get into anyone's car without a parent’s permission.

• Never take gifts or food from strangers or anyone else without asking a parent first.

• Never play in deserted buildings or isolated areas.

• Move away from a car that pulls up beside them if they do not know the driver. Run in the opposite direction the car is driving. Remember, get away…right away.

• Say 'no' to anyone who wants them to do something you've taught them is wrong. Give your children permission to break the rules if they feel their safety is at risk.

• Tell you, school authorities or a police officer about anyone who threatens them.

• Never to keep secrets from you. Teach them to tell you if someone has asked them to keep a secret from you.

• Go to the nearest cashier if lost or separated from you in a store or mall.

• Know how to dial 911 and explain their emergency. If using a pay phone under pursuit or if detained in a stranger’s home…DO NOT HANG UP THE PHONE. Police can use the open line to track the child.

• Never to hide from parents in a store.

• Scream and kick if someone grabs them and tries to take them forcefully. Teach them to yell, “Help, this is not my Dad/Mom!”

Teens should:

• Tell you where they are at all times or leave a written or recorded message at home.

• Never hitchhike.

• Avoid shortcuts through empty parks, fields, laneways or alleys.

• Go quickly to the nearest occupied public place (malls, stores, fire stations, gas stations) and scream for help if they are being followed.

• Learn to recognize suspicious behavior and remember a description of the person or vehicle to give the police. Write the plate number in the dirt or snow if nothing else is available.

• If approached for money, jewelry or clothing give it up rather than risk injury.

• Feel that they can talk to you and call you to pick them up any time, any place.

• Never operate a car under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Never get in a car as a passenger if the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

• Scream and kick if someone grabs them and tries to take them forcefully.

• Know that all rules change when they are physically threatened.

Parents should:

• Avoid clothing and toys with your child's name on them. A child is less likely to fear someone who knows his/her name.

• Check all potential babysitters and older friends of your child.

• Never leave a child alone in a public place, stroller or car, not even for a minute.

• Always accompany young children to the bathroom in a public place and advise them never to play in or around the restrooms.

• Always accompany your child when going door-to-door, such as collecting donations for school fundraisers.

• Point out safe havens such as cashiers in stores, fire stations, store security officers and other places or people children can go to if they need assistance or feel threatened.

• Keep an up-to-date color photograph of your child, a medical and dental history, and have your child fingerprinted.

• Talk to your children. Ask who, where, what and when.

Who are you going out with? Who will be supervising or chaperoning? Who is going to be there?

Where are you going? Where do they live?

What will you be doing? What are their parent’s names? What is their telephone number?

When will you be home? When does the function start? When is it over?