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Child Safety

Kids and Cars Safety Information

KIDS AND CARS' mission is to assure no child dies or is injured in a non-traffic, motor vehicle related event.

It is difficult to think of anything more tragic than the needless (preventable) death of a child. Every one of these deaths is a tragedy, especially to family and friends; and each one serves as a powerful warning that other children are at risk.

You're very welcome here. Take your time and explore the valuable resources available on our website. We hope you find this information useful and will want to help us work to prevent children from being injured or killed.
Janette E. Fennell, Founder and President, KIDS AND CARS

-Backed Over By Vehicles (Backovers)

-Hit By Vehicles Moving Forward
(Frontovers)

-Car Theft With Child In Vehicle

-Children Left In Vehicle
(Heat Stroke or Hyperthermia)

-Incidents Involving Power Windows

-Vehicle Set In Motion By a Child

-Underage Drivers
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Kids and Cars

http://www.kidsandcars.org/?gclid=CKTzlsyA9pYCFRyenAodw0mdYw
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Making Our Children Safe-Child Safety Tips

We need to make sure that our children know what to do in dangerous situations. Here are some safety tips for your children.

Children are precious and should be treated and protected as such. It's not enough for us as adults to know and understand the dangers that lurk around us, and our children. We need to make sure that our children know what to do in dangerous situations. Here are some safety tips for your children.

When reviewing safety tips with your children, it’s important to do it in a way that is non-threatening. You want your children to be aware of danger signs but you don’t want them living in fear. Instead, encourage your child to trust his/her ‘gut instinct’ and always make sure that your communication lines are open. You want your children to feel ‘safe’ in sharing their fears with you at all times.

When and if your child does disclose something to you, make sure you really listen, not only to what they’re saying but how they say it, and watch for body language. Make sure your child understands that their body is not to be touched in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable, and that they can always come to you if they are unsure of anything, even if family members are involved.

**Answering the front door**

For those children who spend some time at home alone, answering the front door can be extremely important. When alone, a child should never answer the door. Even if it’s a friend or relative of the family – if that person has arrived unexpectedly, it’s better for the child to not let them in. Statistics show that abductors of children are usually someone the child already knows. Children also need to be taught that even though the parent is home, it’s still important for the child to get the parent before answering the door.

**Answering the Telephone**

When children are alone at home and they answer the phone, they are never to state that they are home alone. Teach your child to say that the parent is unavailable, to take a message, and then hang up. If the child receives any prank or obscene phone calls, he or she should tell the parent. Children should also be taught to never give out any personal information, no matter who is calling. That should be left to the parent to decide on.

**Around the home**

When cooking, make sure you always turn your pot handles in so that they are not hanging over the side of the stove. Children can be badly burned if they grab hold of the handle and pull it down, or if they knock it off by accident. Never leave a cup of hot coffee or tea on a counter where a child can reach. Never leave knives or other sharp objects where a child can reach them. Never leave cupboard doors or drawers open as fingers can get caught or shut in them.

Take a few minutes to walk through your home and look around for possible dangers that your children may be exposed to. It’s good to do this at least once a month.

**Teach your children how to dial 911**

Children are more capable than we sometimes give them credit for. This is especially true when we take the time to teach our children what to do in different circumstances. It’s important for you to teach your children what to do when and if an emergency should arise. First things first, teach them how to call 911. Take a few minutes to explain the importance of calling 911. Go over what a 911 operator will ask, such as, what, where, why, when, and how. You can even pretend to make a few calls to help them feel more comfortable with this.

**If your child gets lost**

It’s always good to know where your child is but sometimes that can be out of our control. We need to prepare our children for whatever may come up. Make sure that your child always has money for a phone call. I know that many children today now have cellular phones in cases of emergency. Make sure that they know that they can call 911 if they get lost and have no other means of getting safe help. Encourage them to always go with a ‘buddy’ – there is safety in numbers. Explain to your children the importance of always telling you where they are going and for how long they will be gone.

If your child gets separated from you in a mall or store, teach your child to go to the help or information desk, or approach a security officer to get help in finding you again. Make sure that your child knows his full name, phone number and address.

**The Code**

Many families are now developing a code word that is known only by them and close friends. This code is used in instances where a child is approached by a family member, or someone else, telling the child to come with them to see their parent or other family member. If that person does not know the code, the child is not to go with them no matter what.

**Strangers**

Strangers can be confusing for children, especially when a stranger talks to a parent of a child. When it comes to strangers, we can never be too careful. There are certain rules to follow that will help keep our children safe. Basically, the only time a child should talk to a stranger is when he or she is in trouble and needs help. Children should only seek out a stranger’s help when they are lost or hurt, or are trying to get away from someone who is hurting them. We need to make sure our children understand the importance of this. Lastly, make sure your child realizes that strangers look like everyone else – they don’t look like a wild monster or strange creature – meaning your child will not be able to judge a nice stranger from a stranger bent on harming them.

Never label your child’s clothing, knapsack/bag, or anything else as a stranger could use the information to help gain the child’s trust.

**Being a prepared parent**

As a parent, there are ways that you can be even more prepared should disaster strike. Read up on what to do in emergency circumstances, such as choking, burns, falls, poisons, etc. This information is easily attainable and can only make you better prepared should anything happen. Also, always have a list of emergency numbers close to your phone.
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http://www.essortment.com/all/childrensafety_rimx.htm
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Child Safety Tips: Preventing Abduction

At one point or another in a child's life they "go missing". Most often, they return on their own, safe and unharmed. Even a short disaapearance will cause a parent to confront their worst fear. The abduction of a child is every parent's worst nightmare.

Child abductions are rare, but they do happen. As parents, we can fight back through preparation and abduction prevention.

**Stranger Danger**
Most people genuinely care about children, and not all strangers are bad. However, we must educate parents and children to recognize and avoid dangerous child abduction situations. Knowlege, caution and alertness are our children's best protection.

The tips below can help you reduce the risk of your child becoming a victim of abduction. Please take the time to read this child protection information and share it with your children.

Child Safety Tips - Index
I. How parents can protect children

II. How children can protect
themselves

III. Patterns of child abduction

IV. Environments that may promote
child abduction

V. Tricks strangers use to lure
children

VI. Recognizing signs of sexual abuse

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**How parents can protect children from abduction**

-Know where your children are at all
times and who they are with.

-Never leave your child alone in a
public place, stroller or car.

-Always accompany younger children to
a public restroom.

-Teach your children not to accept
rides and gifts from strangers.

-Always accompany your child on
door-to-door activities, i.e.
Halloween, school fundraising
campaigns, etc.

-Establish a routine for picking your
children up from school or other
events.

-Agree on a simple code word for
emergency situations. A trusted adult
who knows the code word can pick up
your child if necessary.

-Make sure your child knows their full
name, address and phone number.

-Teach your child how to reach you
(home, office, mobile)

-Teach your child how to call the
police.

-Have a plan in case your child gets
separated from you in public.

-Teach your child to stay in groups of
friends when going anywhere .

-Tell your children about child
abductions in simple and easy to
understand terms. Awareness can help
them protect themselves.

-Avoid clothing and toys with your
child's name on it. A child may not
fear someone who knows his/her name.

-Promote an environment in which your
child feels free to talk to you.

-Let your child know that you will
pick them up at any time, any place.

-Listen closely when your child talks
about friends or aquaintances they
spend time with in your absence.

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

-Teach your child to recognize
suspicious behavior and collect
descriptions.

-Urge your child to think escape /
survival if he or she were ever
abducted.

-Speak to your local law enforcement
agency to find out about neighborhood
watch.

-Get to know your neighbors and the
children in the area. Make sure your
child's friends know your house is
safe and they can seek help from you.

-Check with your local law enforcement
to find out if there are sexual
offenders in your area.

-Use a system such as KidSave to
organize your child's photo and child
ID card with pertinent descriptive
data.

-Keep up-to-date medical/dental
history and finger print cards.

-Teach your child that there is always
someone to help them, and they have
the right to be safe.
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**How children can protect themselves**

- Always tell your parents where you
are going and who you are with.

-Never answer the door if alone.

-Do not invite anyone in the house
without the permission of a parent or
babysitter.

-NEVER get into anyone's car without
permission.

-Don't tell anyone on the phone that
your parents are not home. Instead
tell them that your parents can't
come to the phone and take a message.

-Don't go to restrooms in out-of-the
-way places without a trusted adult.

-Don't take short cuts. Always use
well-traveled streets.

-Never go to playgrounds or movies
alone.

-Go to the nearest cashier if lost or
separated from a parent in a store or
mall.

-Do not take candy or other gifts from
strangers without asking a parent
first.

-Never hitch-hike.

-Stay away from isolated areas or
abandoned buildings.

-If you do not know the driver of a
car that slows down or stops near
you. Run home, to the police
department or to a public place where
there are people. Do not run and
hide.

-If an adult approaches to ask for
directions, step back, tell them you
don't know and walk away. Adults
should ask other adults for
directions.

-If forced toward a building or car,
scream "help", scatter belongings and
fight.

-No one has the right to touch any
part of your body that a bathing suit
would cover.

-If someone touches you in a way that
feels uncomfortable, tell them in a
loud voice that it is your body and
they don't have the right to touch
you, even if it is a relative or
friend. Tell an adult you can trust
and keep telling until someone
believes you.

-If you see someone unusual hanging
around a schoolyard or a park, tell
your parents.

-Tell a parent about anyone who
exposes themselves to you.

-Don't believe any adult who asks you
to keep a secret from your parents.
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**Patterns of abduction**

-In abduction cases, the first few
hours are the most critical.

-75% of abductions are by a family
member or an acquaintance.

-Only 25% of kids are taken by
strangers.The majority of these
abductors are men

-When kids are taken by strangers, 66%
of the victims are female children.

-76% percent of victims are Caucasian
females with and average age of 11
years.

-Infant abductions are fairly rare,
but the abductors are usually women.

-Most abducted children are in their
teens.

-Most abductors/predators are usually
highly skilled in the art of
manipulation.

-Abductors/predators often single out
a lone child or one that is out late
at night alone.

-Abductors/predators usually befriend
their victim.

-Abductors/predators singls out
children or teenagers that seem to
have problems at home.

-Abductors/predators identify and
pursue at-risk children or teens is.

-Many child abductors/predators were
victims of domestic violence
themselves.

-The majority of children reported
missing are either run-aways or there
has been a miscommunication with
their parents.
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**Environments that may promote child abduction **

-Walking alone to or from school
(especially before and after normal
school hours)

-Waiting for a school bus alone

-Playing in a public park or
playground after hours or late in the
evening or playing unsupervised at
any time

-Exploring remote areas

-Using enclosed, poorly lit stairways,
corridors and public rooms

-Riding a bicycle alone or at night

-Using late night or all night
facilities, such as laundry
facilities

-Waiting in public parking lots (e.g.,
at malls)

-Walking unattended in a crowded mall
or other public places
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**Stranger Danger, tricks strangers use to lure children**

-A stranger may quickly approach the
victim. This element of surprise does
not allow the child to think about
what is happening and get away.

-A stranger may pose as an authority
figure (police, firemen, security)
and ask the child to leave with them.

-A stranger may try to bribe the child
with money, candy, toys, cute pets,
etc.

-A stranger may tell the child there
is a crisis such as family illness
and say a parent told them to pick
the child up.

-A stranger may approach with
compliments to appeal to child's ego.

-A stranger may approach with false
caring, promise or knowing child's
name if noted on child's possessions
(shirt, lunchbox, toy).

-A stranger may suggest playing games.

-A stranger may ask for help, such as
directions or to help find a lost
pet.

-A stranger may fake injury requesting
help

-Children often idolize adults,
allowing false trust. Strangers prey
on this false trust.

-A stranger may try to lure a child by
asking the child to do work for the
stranger.
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**Recognizing signs of child sexual abuse**

-Changes in behavior, extreme mood
swings, withdrawal, fearlessness,
excessive crying

-Bed-wetting, nightmares, fear of
going to bed and sleep disorders

-Acting out inappropriate sexual
activity or showing unusual interest
in sexual matters

-A sudden acting out of feelings or
aggressive, rebellious behavior

-Regression to infantile behavior

-A fear of certain places, people or
activities

-Pain, itching, bleeding, fluid or
rawness in the private areas
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http://www.kidsave.com/child_safety_information.html
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Perkerson Civic Association Home Page

Child Safety

Kids and Cars Safety Information

Making Our Children Safe-Child Safety Tips

Child Safety Tips: Preventing Abduction

RELATED CHILD SAFETY SITES