5 Things Parents Should Teach Their Kids to Protect Them From Abduction
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As much as you’d like to convince yourself that the world is a good place, it harbors many dangers for your child. One of those dangers is abduction and unfortunately it happens way more often than you’d think. Parents spend so much of their time doting on their little ones and ensuring that they are safe. But you can’t keep them confined to the house or your company alone forever. Eventually they are going to go to school, make friends and have a life of their own. And although you can’t be with them every second of the day there are a few important things you can teach your child to protect them from being abducted. These precautions are sure to keep your child safe and you stress free. Read on to know them all!
1. Danger Doesn’t Always Come From A Stranger
We often use the term “boogeyman” or “bad man” as a way to warn our children against talking to strangers. But sometimes it’s people that are well known to you that can be a danger to your kids. It may be hard for your child to figure out who is a stranger and who they can trust. But you must make sure they understand that sometimes the people who can hurt them may not be scary looking and can have a friendly face instead. A stranger can appear nice and friendly as well. So take measures to draw clear boundaries for your children. This way if any adult is going out of line, your child will recognize the potential threat and seek help immediately.
2. Who Can Your Child Consider A Safe Adult
Your child might find it hard to gauge who they can trust and who to keep a safe distance from. So, make them a list to make things easier for them. This may consist of those neighbors, relatives and friends whom you are comfortable with and trust with your child’s life and safety. Then you can highlight who is allowed to pick your child up from school in case of an emergency or who your children can let into the house when they are home alone. Setting these clear cut parameters will help your child stay safe. You can even pick out a code word that only you, your child and the safe people know. This will help your child understand who they can trust.
3. Run In The Opposite Direction Of The Car
It’s crucial to instill this vital safety measure in your children. In the event they suspect they are being followed by someone in a vehicle, encourage your child to immediately run in the opposite direction. This action forces the vehicle to turn around, affording your child more time to distance themselves from the potential threat and seek assistance.
4. Look For A Mom With Kids
If by any chance your child is lost and can’t find you or any of the safe people from their list, tell them to find a mom with kids. You can be sure that they are the safest bet to help your child out. They can also approach an officer but your child is more likely to find a mother with kids than a police officer out in the park or at the mall.
5. Let Others Know That You Need Help And Break Things To Get Attention
Children may occasionally exhibit tantrums in public, and in such situations, screaming children might not suffice to garner attention or warrant immediate intervention. To ensure their safety, instruct your child to vocalize for help if they feel endangered. Encourage them to use assertive phrases that could raise alarm, such as “Leave me alone! I don’t know you!” or “Who are you? Help!” This will effectively signal to others that they are in distress, prompting someone to step in and assist your child.
In more extreme cases, if raising their voice alone isn’t enough to attract attention, inform your child that it’s acceptable to take actions that may be seen as disruptive. For instance, they can gently push items off a shelf if they are inside a store or draw attention by breaking a car window using a rock. These actions will alert others, even if they are at a distance, that something is amiss and necessitates their closer involvement. The underlying message is to convey to your children that causing a scene is permissible when it comes to seeking help if they ever feel threatened or in potential danger.
It’s scary to think that someone out there may have ill intentions towards your little one. But it’s better to be prepared and safe than sorry. So you should take every precaution to ensure that your children know what to do if they ever find themselves in this unfortunate situation. Remember, knowledge is power. So make sure your child knows these tricks in order to keep themselves safe at all times!
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