Stranger Danger

Heidi and Teri partnered with the Longview Police Department and 

taught a class on Stranger Danger at the Longview YMCA .
 We educated them about being safe and our M.I.L.K. program .

Why is m.i.l.k.® Important?

Law enforcement states that in a missing child situation, rapidly distributing a current photo can be the difference between a fast recovery and a prolonged search . . . Unfortunately, most parents are not prepared for this type of crisis. In fact:

~ Over 2,000 children are reported missing every day ~

~ 40% of the parents of a missing child cannot immediately supply a current picture ~

~ 34% the of parents do not know their child’s correct weight, eye color or height ~

These statistics may sound outlandish, however, if you were placed in an emergency situation, could you instantly provide a current photo of your child along with vital statistics including height, weight, eye color, gender, date of birth, nick name, distinguishing marks and identifiers such as eye-glasses or contact lenses, braces on teeth, pierced ears and other unique physical attributes along with your contact information? The m.i.l.k. Digital ID contains all this important information.

Protect your most valuable assett – Your Children!

In addition to establishing an immediate means for locating and distributing this vital data, every 6 months the software reminds you to update the photo and identification information in your m.i.l.k. Digital IDs. This ensures that in the event of an emergency, the most current information is readily available.

Parents tend to go too far or not far enough in teaching kids how to protect themselves. Here are ten stranger danger tips for keeping your child safe from stranger abduction or attack.
Speaking To Strangers

• It may be a mistake to tell children that they should never speak to strangers. Kids may picture strangers as dirty or mean looking people. Many child molesters and predators are people who aren't strangers at all. They are known by the child, relatives, neighbors, acquaintances, teenagers, someone who the child doesn't suspect. A child should know how to ask someone trustworthy for help.
• Children shouldn't live in fear of everyone new they see, since most people are not abusive. If parents teach fear of strangers, will the child be able to find help if he is lost or has been abducted?

Finding Help

• Give your child confidence. Let him know he can fight, bite, kick, struggle, but best of all scream and holler for help if being hurt or abducted.
• Teach your child to trust certain people. If he is in danger he might ask another child, a security guard or policeman in uniform, a woman with children, a store clerk, a school teacher or church leader. Teach the child how to ask for help.
• Teach him the number of a trusted friend to call and help him. Teach the child his address and numbers he should contact to get home if he gets lost. Teach him how to call free from a pay phone and how to call 911 and get help.

Habits for Keeping Safe

• He should know that there is safety in numbers. Tell you child to stick to places where more people are out and about in places that are well lit, especially if he feels threatened. He should learn to use a password should you ever change plans and send someone unexpected to get him. He should not go anywhere with a stranger who does not know the password.
• Protect your child by taking his photo often and having recent fingerprints. Store where you will find them easily if ever needed.
• Don't put the child's name on his shirts, jackets, backpacks or belongings where a predator will easily find it.
• Teach the child that he should never give identifying information over the internet or phone or inform someone who calls that he is home alone.
• Volunteer in the child's school and in the community so you will know who is there. Meet the people who live around you in the neighborhood. Meet the child's friends and teachers so that you will have more insight if something is amiss.
• Your child should be wise to the fact that it is okay to say "no" to anyone who tries to do anything that he feels uncomfortable with. He should know never to accept gifts, candy or toys from a person without getting a parents permission. Always make sure that your child knows that he will not be punished for things that have made him uncomfortable. You don't want him keeping secret his creepy encounters with strangers.

Protecting your child is an important part of parenting. Use these tips to build confidence and help your child know they are safe.

Thanks for having us Trish Potter.

Also thanks to Cindy Turpen & Sargent D.Wells from the Longview Police Dept.