We asked our subscribers for some more child safety tips and boy did we get a great response…almost 40 of them!! Julia now has a whole bunch of new tips to add to our “Child Safety Tips” newsletter.

Some of the ideas are so ingenious that we would never have thought of them. All of them are great ideas that are just common sense. Thanks from Amber Alert GPS to all of you who contributed. If anyone reading this post has another idea that is not covered here, just add it via comments below.

So, here is the list. Enjoy…

1. Teach children that it is ok to say no to a touch or situation that makes them feel uncomfortable. This includes any touches they are asked to keep secret. You must also teach about the tricks abusers use like giving children’s money, treats, candy, movie tickets, etc in exchange for keeping a touching game a secret. This should begin being taught to every child as soon as they are old enough to learn which parts of their body are private.The only time anyone should touch their private parts is to clean them, change a diaper, apply medicine only if there is something wrong, have a Dr look at them, or if they need help in a bath. And even then if it makes them feel uncomfortable, then they can still say, "NO! Don’t Touch me, and go tell someone they trust. Telling is important to get help.

2. i don’t know how much i could help you…things are so bad where I am, presently, my son is not even allowed to play outside! that’s my safety issue. he is kept inside. We have three convicted child molesters in this apartment complex, gang bangers, prostitution, racism, etc. We are preparing to move out of state, predominantly for the protection and sanity of our family.

3. I just signed up for your newsletter so I don’t know what you have covered or what kind of safety you talk about.
I’m big into car seat safety! Most parents don’t know how much safer extended rear-facing is. My daughter is 27 months old and still rear-facing. I would love to get more information about that out there, as well as extended harnessing.

4. I find your “Child Safety Tips” to be very helpful.
When the Judge makes a ruling the father will have unsupervised visitation,
I will probably order one of Amber Alert GPS. My concern is still the fact
that we do not have a place on the child’s body to keep the father from
knowing it is there and taking away from her. She knows what will happen to
her should he find it.
But keep the tips coming.

5. A child should be taught special SECRET pass words
so if a stranger approaches them they can know they are getting a real
message from a parent in an emergency and not lies from a bad person
trying to kidnap them!

6. I am so concerned with Registered Sex Offenders moving into the neighborhoods. I encourage parents to contact local law enforcement to request a phone call etc or search the Registered Sex Offender registry every time someone moves into the neighborhood. Unfortunately our local law enforcement is a joke. They do nothing. I found out about 2 registered sex offenders by accident. Our children are aware they cannot go outside to play unless adult is with them and I tell them that there are Bad men that hurt kids in those houses.
Hope this helps….

7. Please rewrite this however you need to make it make since I am not very
good at putting what I want to say into words……
I am a grandmother of a special needs child. He is 10 yrs old, but still
needs to be in a car seat. My tip for parents who have toddlers that always
seems to figure out how to unbuckle their car seat seatbelt, and get out is
…. most car seats have the strap that goes behind the seat of the car, van
etc, we all know that , that strap holds the car seat in place. so one day
driving down the expressway my grandson got out again and was playing with
the door handle, that could have been tragic, I pulled over and for some
reason I just grabbed the cars seatbelt that is for adults and bigger
children and i strapped it around his car seat, after i buckled him in with
the car seat straps, and he could not reach the seat belt to unbuckle it
since it is all the way down to the seat. and he has not gotten out of his
car seat since.

8. MY oldest child is 6 years old. I took him to the local DMV and got him an Arkansas issued picture ID. It is replaced every two years and looks like a drivers license. He was so happy to get his card. He carries it with him everywhere he goes. It cost $5.00. All I had to have was his birth certificate, social security number and his insurance card. When my daughter turns 5, I plan on taking her to get one too.
Until then, I have two picture ID’s for both of my children that I made on my computer. I update them every 6 months or so. These have been very helpful. They look like sports trading cards. I also keep the Amber usb pen port in my purse.

9. Hi Julia. Thanks for writing as always. My only suggestion to be included is when children, like my students, are walking to and from school. We always remind them to be aware of their surroundings, any car or person that is following them, making mental notes and/or written notes about their surroundings, and do so on a monthly basis. This year we are handing out notebooks to our children old enough to write. Not only will they be used for school work but in the need of something like this happening; jot down a license plate, color of the car, what the person looked like, etc. The little ones are given ID’s to wear around their necks on the buses, nothing too elaborate just bus info, stop info, etc. NO NAMES, ADDRESSES, etc.
Over the many years of being a teacher thankfully these types of scenarios are far and few between. My school is located in an isolated area of Boston, Hyde Park, up on a hill off the main streets. Staff is always visible during the morning and afternoon buses, and dismissal of all of our students. Our building is locked down during the day; no student can leave without a parent or identified family person designated to pick up their child. If there are any questions during this procedure staff is involved immediately, including the Principal, secretary, lead teacher, etc. Our first priority everyday all day is the safety of our children!
If there is anything else I can help you with please let me know. I have taught my two daughters the rules of safety. My oldest is just beginning to walk home everyday from school (luckily it is a 5 minute walk from the HS) but is told to do so with a group, never alone! I worry, of course, especially in this day and age. The little one is picked up everyday so now worries there, yet! LOL.
Anything you would need me to do to help please let me know. I have 325 students that I work with and I am sure we can help you to make this world a safer place….it begins with US.

10. Hi! Here is something I did with my son, many years ago. Sit your child down and explain the dangers of them going off with ‘strangers’. To help them identify a ‘bad’ stranger from a good stranger is a VERY secret code word. The child asks the stranger for the secret code word , if the first word out of the strangers mouth is the correct word, it is safe to go with them.
Example: mom and dad are both hurt in an auto accident and can’t pick up child. Parent tells person of their choosing the code word and to go pick up their child. Person tells child the code word and the child knows they are okay to leave with this person.
You are doing a great job!!! Keep up the good work.

11. I am new to your newsletter so I don’t know what you have already offered, but here is something that I taught my step daughter when she was young. Her father was a volunteer fireman so we were always going to fire meetings and there were always cops around so we had one of them offer a class on what to do if someone grabbed them. Then we went home and acted out everything that he said, and added a few of our own tips. We played out what to do if she was put into a trunk of a car, how to bust out tail lights & put your hand outside so other cars could see you, showed her where the release latch was ( in newer cars). Told her to use whatever she could as a weapon anything from a rock, to keys. toys, dirt anything. Thank God she hasn’t had to use it but she is 20 years old now and still remembers what we taught her. I think by acting it out and letting her know it was ok to break things and yell made it stick with her.

12. I don’t know if this tip has been listed yet,
I haven’t clicked the link to go read your list yet,
but I do have one tip I have told my 8 year old girls… It would
be helpful for the older children.
We were loading groceries into the trunk one day and I saw the
wires and such for the taillights. I called the girls to me and told them,
“If someone ever puts you in the trunk of a car, tear up these wires.”
The idea came to me from watching a talk show one day where a
little boy was kidnapped and he did this, which made the police pull
the abductor over for no taillights. The boy was returned to his family safe.

13. I am not sure if you covered this but I always talk to my nanny (and baby
sitters) about not using their cell phones while watching my child at play
or in the pool. Most of my sitters are teens and I have to let them know
that they are being paid to pay attention (especially at the pool) so It is
important to go over those considerations with them.

14. I am also concerned about child safety. I have a 16 month old girl and have 3 grown boys. An observation that can be turned into a tip: when shopping and you have a child in a stroller, make sure you attach a strap to the back of the stroller you can hold onto. I have seen too many parents go shopping look around the racks at something and for maybe just seconds have to look where they left the stroller. This is just like the park. Somebody is always watching for the opportunity to grab a kid when the parent is not watching. It also gives the criminal lots of time to abduct your kid, since your child is usually facing frontwards and will not know until its too late that someone else is pushing the stroller. I hope this helps.

15. Dear Julia,
You have been so thorough and inventive with your advice on safety for children, that I doubt if I can be of any assistance. But will give it a go anyway.
I have noticed, while shopping, that quite often children are allowed to run free throughout a store. This gives me the chills. What a perfect place for some sick person to grab a child and make off with them. As a parent and grandmother, the complacency of today’s parents and the idea that the security cameras are a so called “babysitter” within the stores is frightening. Parents “must” be aware of predators. I treat everyone as a possible threat to my granddaughters, even other children. In some instances, children are used as “bait” to lure a child into a home, or vehicle. I have actually been told by a parent, that they do not worry about their children within a store because of the security cameras. Can you just imagine?
I hope you find this helpful in your quest for making this world a safer place for our innocent little ones.
Oh, and another thing that I failed to mention…NEVER park next to van or away from the hustle and bustle of shoppers.

16. Our web site is filled with information about how to keep children safe; and are concepts many parents may not be aware of: www.kidsandcars.org

17. Do you know the panic button devices that have a light on one end?
You can get these at a dollar tree.
Well I got one for each of my 2 children. I even got one for each of the kids at the bus stop. Their parents permission granted. These are great items.
Well recent it saved a child from being kidnapped..
The mother wanted to pay me for the one I got her daughter. I told her thank you is payment enough.
Boy it felt good to give the girls and the 2 boys at the bus stop. Knowing that this little item is a life saver.
When this creep tried to grab the little girl at the bus stop with me being there, she activated the device. The sound was loud enough to alert 4 houses to the sound of an attempted kidnapping.
The police was called and got the creep for trying to take a child that the child did not know.

18. We went on vacation to the Philippines last month and these are some of
the things that we did to keep our little girl safe:
1.) make sure you only bring 1 backpack on board the plane that could
carry only the necessary items. (bottle of juice, baby milk, baby wipes,
diapers if needed, candies, all the stuff you need to entertain your
little one, and your wallet.) I let my husband bring the bag. check in
all others.
The more things you carry the more attention you take away from your
child.
2.) secure a travel vest with lots of pockets or a front waist bag to
put the passports in. You need them within your reach and at the same
time you need your hands free so you can hold her hand.
3.) while traveling, never take your attention away from the little
one. Some kids don’t like harness, just make sure you are holding them,
or that you never take your eyes away from them.
4.) when you arrive at the destination, have them help take the luggage
if they can, that way its easier to monitor them. If you have a little
one, and you are traveling alone make sure you don’t check in too many
bags only something that you can carry or pull with one hand while your
other hand is holding your little one.
Travel light when you are traveling with kids. Less to worry about
means more time to look after the kids.

19. My child safety tip:
I turn on the oven light when baking something and leave it on until
the well after the oven has cooled, my son knows if the oven light is
on the oven is hot and to stay away.

20. Teach your child your name. In a crowd it is better to yell out a mother or father’s name instead of mom or dad.

21. I have not read through all your tips yet, so this may be something you have already covered. But I have heard of many accidents lately with children being hit or run into from people just backing out of their parking space. If they would just check before they moved to see if there are any kids, many kids’ lives would be saved.

22. Hi Julia!
Small things are a big issue in our family. As parents, we are always reminding our children not to run with pencils, scissors, straws, or anything sharp. We tell them to stay away from other kids who are waving these things close around them.
Our kids never stay still. In stores we caution them to step back away from the counter & keep their hands off the belt that takes our items closer to the cashier, so they won’t get their hands caught.
Another thing we teach them is to keep their hands in their lap while riding in the car….just in case other drivers might think they are making gestures at them.
Hopefully these examples will help you in finding new ideas for articles.
Thanks so much for the information you provide!

23. Everyone knows there is safety in numbers. We all know that the “Buddy System” works. But, there are times and circumstances that these kinds of safety precautions are not available. Sometimes a simple cell phone can provide protection. It doesn’t have to be a current “in” phone; it doesn’t have to even really work. For instance, if your child has to wait for the bus without other children or walk home from a friend’s house, have them “pretend” to be talking on a cell phone. A predator is less likely to attempt anything if they think their target is already in communication with someone. Your old, dysfunctional phone may just have a new purpose.
Also, keep that phone charged up because all cell phones are required by the FCC to be able to call 911 even if they are not under a service contract!

24. I have lots of ideas:
open windows – pair of children fall out of the second floor because they were sitting on a bed reading & had the audacity to lean back on the screen of an opened window
open windows – my autistic son was found outside by himself, having crawled out of the play-room window. it was opened for the first time of the season and he quickly learned to open the screen. since then, all windows in the house open from the top, and the screens are at the top.
open windows — there was a story a few years ago in Phoenixville, PA where a man crawled into a bedroom window and abused a young girl while her parents slept in the next room. consider locking up and turning on the air conditioner at night. examine routes of access to the windows. don’t let everyone know which bedroom windows belong to who.
car safety – yes he’s old enough to go with out a car seat, but is it the right decision? my sons are still in booster seats and my six-year-old decided to unbuckle himself while we’re doing 65 on the freeway because he wanted the gameboy that he had dropped. he’s back to a car seat.
parking lot safety – do not EVER leave your children in the car. do not EVER let the little one walk behind you. always park near the video camera. always park near the shopping cart return.
summer camp – programs like the YMCA actually do check the references of their college-kid staff members, and the supervisor is always making the rounds. lots of rules (griping kids = happy moms) and activities. and everyone ALWAYS goes to the bathroom in groups of three. alone time and “down-time” is for home – summer camp safety is about being in groups of same-aged children with a chaperone, directed towards activities. it’s not just the creepy old men that we have to watch out for.
back yard – we have over an acre in the back. it’s ours, but there is no moat around it. even if the kids are on our own property, we keep a watchful eye and make sure we know where they are. there are blindspots in the yard – we discourage the kids from using those areas. we regularly go through the whole yard looking for signs of trespass. (we found broken beer bottles & cigarette butts behind our rear shed one spring.)
dogs – I was mauled by a dog as a child. 7 surgeries on the face. I now have dogs in my house. why? dogs will let you know when there is someone here who doesn’t belong here. dogs may even chase them away. strangers will stay away simply because of the dogs. well-trained house dogs can be a great companion for the kids, and make them want to take the dog with them when they go outside or for a walk. and dogs know when some one is up to something, they let their person know. and a dog will defend their person – to the death.

swimming pool — my kids know how to swim. they don’t necessarliy know how to not drown. when other kids are in the pool with my kids, I am on the deck being the lifeguard. even when its just the three of my kids, they tend to sometimes get too excited and carried away, and I am the lifeguard. summercamp swimming is a worry for me, since I am trusting college kids to be the lifeguard – and the locker room monitor.
phone safety (don’t tell them you are home alone), internet safety (don’t chat with that penguin), don’t accept that text on your DS if you don’t recognize the sender, don’t let that teenager take your picture with his cell phone,…
and then there is my autistic son — if you want to start a whole blog about things to worry about there!

25. I do Outreach/summer and after school programs:
I have done a lot of research on dog bite prevention. That is an area of child safety that is not dealt with in many programs. Of course, the child runs—and the dog has a new friend to play with.

That is my suggestion—present the steps that each child needs to learn to prevent a bite and also, fear of all dogs.

26. We live in a society where people don’t take the safety of there children as serious as they should. They are afraid of scaring there children at a young age. We need to put fear in our children. As time goes on we have to realize that it is not safe to leave our kids in the music or game section of the store. That we can’t let our children walk to school even if it is around the corner. We cannot feel free to let our children to play alone in there own yards. We live in a society where we are prisoners. Parents who work so much that they are not home when there children get home from school. Not sure of who could be lurking in there house. Parent more than ever need to take a big interest in there children’s life. Make the extra time no matter how tired or busy we are to make there childhood fun in such a scary world. If we don’t take the time we may not have the opportunity to in the future if something was to happen to them. Please parents take a moment to sit and really think about those precious things god allowed us to have. Just like a precious stone cherish them,love them and treat them like nothing else in this worlds counts as much as the. Not only will you keep them safe but you will have a better relationship with your children. Please don’t ALLOW your child’s face to be on the missing children’s list. If you or some you really trust is with your child always, we can hopefully drop the number of missing children in this world and lessen the anguish of another parent.

27.I offer free childcare to teenage parents who are wanting and working toward finishing their education. I would like to point out to the Grandparents of these little babies that these teen parents are still kids themselves and therefore they do not realize how important it is that they check references for whom they are leaving their babies with. I’ve had teen parents call me up, and an hour later drop their baby off with me. They didn’t think that they even needed my phone number, they just said “see you after school”. These teen parents need guidance to keep their kids safe. Please help me to get the word out to people who are Grandparents, parents, friends, neighbors, etc. A lot of these teen parents are wanting to learn, but because they have made a tough decision to have a baby and keep them, they are often times turned out on their own to be an ADULT PARENT, and they are not able to do this without much needed help.
Thank you, and God bless you for what you do! I am a mother of eight kids and I find your newsletters very helpful!!!!!!!!!!!!!

28. Hi Julia,

One tip that I think of for kids walking to/from school or within neighborhoods or parking lots is to BEWARE of vans with darkened or no windows. Goes for cars, trucks … any with those very dark tinted windows. I was taught that at a young age and being a girl I was bothered a lot while walking to/from schools along 3500 S. (to West Lake JHS and Granger HS). I watch this now when I park in parking lots and also when I go to my car. I needed I will get in to my car from the passenger side for safety.

Steve and I just returned from Country Jam and this doesn’t have to do with Child Safety, but with parenting and keeping children’s hearing safe. At Country Jam we wear ear plug since the speakers are so loud and it’s concert after concert of wonderful country singers and music. Some bring their little ones. This year we noticed that some had ear plugs on their babies, toddlers and children and others didn’t. Many adults don’t wear them, but we value the hearing we have remaining. I complemented one couple that had a pair of ear muff type ear coverage on their baby that was probably 6-8 months young. We used this type when we would take our boys to those Monster Truck shows or MotoCross shows that are all too loud. I don’t think some parents think of how delicate the ear structures are and if ruined it can harm their education and so on.

Thanks for all of your help with the AmberAlert GPS. How are the new ones selling? I’ll get out on the site to check out what’s new.

29. The tool I use most often, especially for an older child( My 12 year old) is walkie-talkies!
Keeps us in touch without burning cell phone minutes, they can also be forced to stay turned on so I can hear everything! A decent set is about 40-50 dollars.
Another is to keep a list of all your child’s friends addresses & phone numbers ….
I thank you for all you do :)

30. Hey,,,

Few things that I thought:
* Ensure that your child knows safe people in their life to talk to if any bad circumstances going on.

* Have a safe word if someone different would be picking up the child. * Teach the child to scream for u or a trusted adult if playing public and stranger attempts abduction. * Teach children not to fall for the i need to find my puppy or my cat or animal i lose will u help me. * Don’t go in neighbors house without parent or guardian permission and knowing u are there. * Discussing the dangerous situations when age appropriate and asking the child what they should do and develop conversation about that. * Warning that if anyone even family friend and or church members or teachers are too mean or makes them uncomfortable to tell the parent or guardian. * Ensuring the child when little older and at home alone to have ready available numbers to call for help and no answering door for anyone. * A safe place to call there area of the house when scared or frighten they can call to if need be so that u know even if they can’t say to u as the adult or care taker.

I hope this helps. If I can help in any other way let me know.

31. Thank you for doing what you do! My best safety tips I can offer since I am a teacher is to be sure kids know their full name, address, phone numbers, and mom and dad’s names. Also, parents should not put their kid’s names on obviously visible objects like the backs of shirts, bikes, or backpacks. I always write my family’s last name only on the inside of bags and lunch boxes. Another one is to dress your child similar to other kids and not “overdress” them in elaborate clothing to make them walking targets. Kids don’t need to be dressed up all the time, and others will “notice” them for having more money. Last of all, and my biggest pet peeve with teaching, is do not dress your kid in cheap flip flop shoes. If they need to run, they cannot do so safely in these! Best of luck with the website. Please feel free to post my tips or contact me for more if needed. Thanks again!

32. Something all parents should know, especially those who smoke cigarettes or have family members who do is that one cigarette contains enough toxins to kill a child if eaten. So, it is imperative that cigarettes or any tobacco products should be kept way out of their children’s reach.

33. I believe one of the most important safety tips we can give our children is that if they are lost to find a woman to help them. Studies have shown that men are more likely to point a child in the right direction but not stay involved. The likelihood of a woman staying involved until the child is returned to the parents is high. Children are taught to find a police officer or a security guard, but they are not always available.

34. hi julia. this is irene from Melbourne australia. Some ideas l thought of were do you know about basic first aid. eg. what do you do if your child is choking? are they fully obstructed or do they have a partial obstruction. do you know how to perform (CPR) cardiopulmonary resuscitation on an infant or child. even if you don’t do you know how to call an emergency number, which is 000 in australia and this free number will direct you what to do.
what is your legal responsibility when you find your child or someone else’s child in trouble
-another topic if not done is telling children not to talk to strangers and when to report behaviour that is wrong and illegal, or does not feel right
-adults drinking alcohol in front of their children can encourage children to binge drink later in life. A big problem here. It’s like it is second nature that when there is a party you have to drink or you don’t have fun. problems with binge drinking is common here. Some parents encourage children to have a little wine at home. not really a good idea alcohol is bad for you
-discourage parents having guns in the household if possible and hiding sharp objects like knives away, luckily guns are not a common item in australia so far .
-garage equipment, eg, petrol, lawn mowers, whipper snippers, paints, poisons solvents, saws, drills, hammers,etc should be locked away safely, not to put kerosine in soft drink bottles, etc
Hope this is what you are looking for.

35. Prevention is the most important safety tip to teach.
Look, Listen, and Learn
So often parents do not observe the environment to make sure it is safe for the child.
ex. We can walk barefoot to the mailbox-yes, the parent maybe very capable of
doing so- but the child will not notice where he/she is stepping. LOOK
Listen to what your child has to say.
ex. Daddy, may I ride the scooter. The father answers yes, without looking up to
see that the child was referring to the lawn mower. LISTEN
Learn to try and do thing differently, even for another child. Yes, it may have worked for
Martin but not for Gerald.
ex. I always let Gerald climb in the car and buckle himself in. He only left it unbuckled once and fell out of the the car seat. I thought he knew what he was suppose to do.
He’s only four years old. LEARN
This may not be exactly what you are looking for but you are so well informed I know you will continue to produce a valuable safety newsletter.

36. If your child is an “elopement” risk (our 4-year old tends to bolt unexpectedly and run without regard to dangers), make sure you survey the school/preschool to ensure proper perimeter fencing. Also, be sure to alert all teachers and aides (in writing) that this behavior is a safety risk and appropriate measures/practices are in place to mitigate the increased risks to your child. Periodically check to ensure proper safeguards are in place/practiced to keep you child out of harm’s way.

37. all i can think about right now is child id kit. You have awesome ideas already i dont know what else to put to it
thanks:)

38. Hello! One tip I would give any parent is to get a boppy pilliow for their baby. When my 3rd child was 7 days old I fed him and laid him on his back, like the dr. told me to, and my son went to spit up and since he was on his back and so young the spit up went into his lungs and he stopped breathing. He was airlifted to the hospital and he is fine, but he is 9 months old now and I still prop him up after he eats just in case. I even got a wedge for his crib mattress. I wouldn’t want that to happen to anyone. The boppy pillow has been wonderful to have.

39. Here’s my tip.
Be friendly around your neighborhood. Know your neighbors. When you are out in the yard and someone drives by, catch their eye and wave, whether you know them or not. I believe predators feel they are invisible at times. Just to know that they have been noticed may deter them.

40. Hi Julia!
I am a bit late in responding due to the holiday and work, but my tip is something very simple. I take my daughter (3 1/2) to Monkey Joes (A place where children can climb, slide, bounce etc on the air walks). When we first enter, we’re given a bracelet each that have the same number, but I have noticed parents able to leave without the bracelets being checked. I ALWAYS set my chair in the middle of the place, close to the door so I can monitor my child and in case she tries to leave or someone tries to take her. I NEVER let my daughter just go off unless it is a place like this (OR Chuck E. Cheese). When I do let her go off, I am always watching the door and I am close to the door.

41. I have a child w Autism. The only thing I can recommend is getting them something they can wear with a contact info. I gor my daughter a really cute dog tag that has the Autism puzzle piece in the front and her name and on the back it has her info. For instance it states she is non verbal and has her full name and my name and phone number. They are better then the medical charms b/c you can write more info on them and they are cute. My daughter likes hers. Plus they are cheaper. Also I got her a fanny pak with her ID inside that her school made with her info. Also I purchased a “mommy I’m here” device which works well in stores and helps me keep her in check.

42. Here are a couple of things that I do or have done in the past:
1) I found these cute little change purses on the $1 isle at Target. They were flat but you could slip some money or coins in them, and they had a key ring on them. I then went to Party City and bought a bag of plastic party favor whistles. I ran the cord to the whistle through the key ring and adjusted the length so that my kids could wear the purse/whistle as a necklace. I took a Sharpie marker and wrote their names, our address & phone numbers on the “back” side of the purse (strangers could not see their names unless the purse was turned over), so that in case they got lost, we could be called. The whistle idea came from a Barney “Campfire” video which my kids loved. Barney taught the kids that if they got lost to stay where they were and to blow their whistle three times, and to repeat until they were found. (Of course the whistle part can be annoying when they are just playing with it! – Teaching them that it is only to be blown in public when they are lost was the hardest part.)

2) I downloaded and completed the Child ID form and attached their most current school picture. The form gives not only identifying information, such as eye & hair color, but a place for their fingerprints, and an area to indicate any scars or birthmarks. I keep these in the glove compartment of my car. My son went missing in a sporting goods store this past Winter, and when you are in a panic, you can’t think about how tall they are, or how much they weigh. Your mind is racing through all the worst possible scenarios and the fact that your child could be miles down the highway with a stranger in the five minutes that he has been lost!

3) I have eight year old triplets and although they don’t always dress alike, whenever I know we are going out to a crowded public place, I try to put my girls in matching outfits, and their brother in a closely co-ordinating outfit. Again, when a child goes missing and you have more than one child, it’s hard to recall what they had on, so if they are matching or closely coordinating in clothing, all I have to do is look at the child/children I have with me, and it will help me recall what the lost one is wearing.

4) My son has special needs and I recently purchased a medical ID bracelet online for him. There are many styles from which to choose. One side has his medical condition and the RX he takes. The other side has his name, DOB, blood type, mine and my husband’s phone numbers. As I am writing this, I am thinking that it is probably a good idea to order one for my girls too even though they don’t have medical conditions, but at least they would have an ID bracelet to wear when we go out into a crowd. It is less cumbersom, and they will probably be more willing to wear it now that they are older, as opposed to, the purse/whistle idea I started using years ago.

5) When crossing a parking lot, I tell my children to “form a chain”. We don’t cross until everyone has a hand, and I make them look both ways before crossing. A trip downtown is a teaching opportunity. Children need to learn how to cross the street at an intersection, both when there are the picture signals, and also when there are not, and they have to look at just the stop light.

6) We no longer use a traditional land-line telephone, so I have taught my children how to unlock and dial my cell phone so that if I am ever incapacitated, they can call 911.

7) If I have to leave to run errands, I remind my children as I am walking out the door, “do not open the door for anyone you don’t know, go get your father”.

8) If we are going to a park, playground, or if they are going on a school field trip, I remind them that if a stranger comes up to them and tries to give them candy, or asks them to help them find their dog, to politely refuse “I’m sorry I can’t have that.”, or “I’m sorry I’m not allowed to help you.”, and then to run to their adult chaperone and tell them about the incident.

9) Last year when we went to Disney World, I bought the big, clear, pin-on buttons at the craft store. I inserted one of their school pictures in it with their name and my contact information written on the back. I pinned this picture ID on them in case they go lost in the crowds or at the airport.

10) Teach them not only their full name, but their parents, siblings, and grandparents names. Children over the age of five or six, are usually able to also learn their address and their parents phone numbers. My children also know my mother’s (their grandmother’s) phone number, and if they visit a particular grandparent frequently, make it a point to say “here we are at ………….Rd., grandma’s house”, so that they can learn her address also. Some women only use their initials in the white pages, or go by a middle name – something other than what is listed, so it is important that a child knows the actual full names of their parents and grandparents, or a close relative.

42. Hi,
There’s a concern as a parent the fact that if a child is lost and found let’s say by the police, there’s no way that he/she could tell his/her name. Maybe, teaching a child to tell the last name properly could make the way back home faster.

Cheers,
PS.- I live in Mexico and it is very sad that your GPS does not cover my country.
(Note from Alan: Don’t give up on us…we are working diligently on international service daily…it will be available soon, my friend)

43. In reading this list I noticed a lot or stranger danger information. while this is important to teach, most kids who are sexually or physically abused are abused by someone they know. It is important they know that telling is the only way they will get help, even if telling is scary, and to keep telling until someone believes them.

44. I am very new to the newsletter and I have a son who is 17 with special needs. He wears an ID bracelet with our info typed and folded inside.
I have a few suggestions I’d like to add, I will email separately. I had a web page with safety suggestions and I have to look it up and send them to you.

45. Bruce Seybert said:
The Best advice to Child Safety and Child protection is Education and teaching your Child to be aware of there surroundings and if separated to Look for a Police officer. and if Traveling I highly recommend an Amber Alert GPS, average start from report to Looking for a Child is 4 to 8 Hours then an Amber Alert is issued if its a confirmed abduction only!, GPS you know where that child is!

46. Julia,
I am impressed with the overwhelming suggestions of Child safety by your subscribers. They’re comments are remarkable and we all have contemplated the issues. Integrated it and using your site as a sound board furthers the education of us all. We need to be reminded of excellent parenting tips to keep our children and any child safe from harm. Thanks for sharing!

47. Kinda late sorry,
Thank you for all you do.
Some tips I have:

Some grocery stores hand out balloons to kids at the register. I go to Henry’s. I now get the balloon as I walk in. Tie it on my daughter’s wrist as I usually do. And she is so easy to spot. I never leave her out of my sight, but kids are quick! And so are abductors, it just takes a second.

If I go to target. I buys popcorn, my daughter loves it, and it keeps her in a cart sitting and enjoying her popcorn while I shop, instead of her wanting to run around the whole store.

My daughter is 3 years old and knows our names and phone numbers. We turned my cell phone number into a song, I ask her what’s mommies number and she knows it!

Tell your kids if they get lost to look for a mommy if they can’t find a cop or security guard.

We use a harness at disney, no choice given.

When my nephew was here from Brazil, we visited Disney, my brother in law wrote our cell number with a permanent ink marker on his arm, it looked loud but it was important.

When we’re out, I always remind her never to go away from me. I remind her at every single store or public place.

I taught my daughter never to be behind park cars. When she walks over to her side of the car where her car seat is, she always makes sure to go around the front side of the parked car. She is now in the habit of doing this.

Rules, enforce them. My daughter is not allowed to cross the street unless she is holding my hand Period.

I’ll write back If I think of more.

48. I was looking for the tips I had written on my website a few years back, but I have since changed computers and didn’t forward the information. I’ll have to take some time to look it up. Here are a few I remembered.

-If you are traveling with your child make sure he/she is wearing brightly colored clothing, so he can be quickly identified in a crowd.

-Never have the child’s name showing on clothing or backpack tags. This invites predators to speak to them by name and gain their trust much more easily.

-always have a code word, in case a friend has to pick your child up in an emergency. It is to be something easy to remember and not used for any other reason but an emergency to identify a safe person.

-give the code word to your closest trusted friends and your children. This way if you can’t talk and pass it on in an emergency, your friends know what to say. It is also advisable to let your kids know who you trust completely, and don’t make this decision lightly.

-I have a son with special needs, who is also non-verbal I have a flashdrive attached to his backpack with all the contact info and medical information that may be needed in case of an emergency.

-I have a medical bracelet on my son, which can be opened and the information is on a sheet of paper folded in the bracelet

-if you have a child with special needs (ie. autism etc…) you may be able to register them with the local police department, or sheriff’s office

-always have an updated picture available with their description and any markings (birthmarks, moles, scars etc…)listed on the sheet, available to police

-teach your children not to touch dogs they don’t know, and if a strange dog approaches them they are to “Be A Tree”
-stop fold their branches (hands down with fingers interlocked)
-watch their roots grow (look at their feet)
-count in their head until the dog leaves, or help comes.
-no eye contact with the dog. They are to stay still until the dog leaves.
Normally it won’t attack if there is nothing to run after, and no perceived threat.
More information about dog safety can be found at http://www.doggonesafe.com

49. Dear Julia,
I appreciate your asking for my help however, I don’t have children living with me. They are all grown and having lives of their own. I will say something about a situation I faced when I was about 10 or 11 years old.

I was shopping at a local mall with a neighbor girl I grew up with. Her mother was a secret security person and was watching us from a distance. A man came up to me and was telling me how pretty I was and how like his own granddaughter I was and asked me to come with him. Fortunately I was very shy and my friends mother was very near by and spoke to the man. I ended up safe but scared for for some time and didn’t go to the mall without one of my parents until I was in high school. Parents need to be more aware of wierd people and tell their children more about stranger danger.

I hope this information is helpful to you and others. I will look for more info in the next little while and see if I can’t come up with other suggestions.

50. Julia,
regarding your need for safety tips… the thought that comes to mind is to create a separate category of ideas that deals with the concept of: “ideas that create safe/positive environments for children” and what I mean by that is that in addition to tips on what to be careful of or what not to do I am thinking of proactive ideas that will put a child on a path that creates a better and safer life. Example: parental relatioship tips that if used and applied the teenager will not feel the need for excessive risk taking behaviour because his or her needs are better met and fulfilled at home. Thoughts?

51. Here’s some of my tips and I apologize if they are repeated with your TIPS already. Buy Guardian Angel safety gates – they can be easily removed in the event of a fire and are simple to install. They offer solid safety features and the only drawback is price. They are a little pricey, but worth the money. Forget the gates at Home Depot and Lowe’s.

Every mother or elderly person walking to their car or walking outside (with or without children) should have their cell phone in their hand. Pre-programmed in speed dial #9 should be 911. If something happens, you’re not fumbling for your phone or looking for an unfamiliar number (i.e. did I use a 5 or a 6 for 911?).

With CCTV (closed circuit TV) more prevalent in homes, add a camera or two inside your home to monitor the kids bedroom or play room. You can view it from a separate TV monitor or any working TV in the house. If a CCTV isn’t an option, then get a decent baby monitoring set-up. Buying one with a lousy picture and poor sound is a waste of money.

Always build a fence around pools. Most above ground pools offer gating to go around the entire perimeter of the pool. Invest in it. It’s also a great spot for a CCTV camera too – any size pool or play area.

Whenever you go anywhere together, set a meeting spot if you get separated. The information booth, the fountain, the snack bar, etc. Make it simple for the kids.

I told my daughter-in-law to get labels with the kids names, addresses and cell phone numbers and sew or iron them into their clothes. I remember my mother doing that for a different reason – to identify my clothes when I went away to camp or school.

Install car seats correctly. If they move side-to-side or back and forth at all, they are INCORRECTLY installed. Call your local police dept. and ask them if they can check it for you. If the belts get twisted up (whose doesn’t), take a few minutes to untwist them with the kids out of the seat.

Clean your car if it looks like a snack cyclone hit it. Organize yourself and the inside of your car so you don’t forget to do something important…..like taking your child with you! If you have a hard time with handling multiple children or even one (who doesn’t), ask a friend or relative you go with you. Don’t play the hero. Always err on the side of safety. Better for your mother-in-law to complain to others that you needed help than to jeopardize their safety. After a few times, her attitude will probably change to being glad you asked and that you TRUST her!

That’s it for me for now. Put me on your payroll and I’ll think of a few more!

52. I enjoy your newsletters and personally with four children I need every bit of safe tips that I can get! It is harder everyday to keep them all safe, ranging in ages 14-1. I always try to keep one step ahead of each one of them, it can be very hard!

One thing I would like to make sure is that all parents not leave their toddlers with the older children to watch, even though it seems easier to do. Babies do not know wrong and right, the things they may find funny are not realized to be wrong. The older ones might try to please the baby by doing that “wrong” thing. I trust all my kids but most responsibility should remain to the parents.

53. we may be protective of our child, however, we’re always open to learning the best ways to keep our child more safe from any harm or the criminals.

regarding the tips you’re asking, my husband or i would normally accompany our child in the public restroom even if we don’t need to go ourselves. same as when they’re at school restroom— our child always needed to be accompanied by a classmate. another thing is that we don’t allow our child to play by the open parking area or the street where it’s easy access for the kidnappers. we always keep an eye on our child wherever we go. we educate and always remind our child on how to avoid the bad guys. most effectively, we pray harder for protection.

there was once when they’re playing outside right in front of our house, a stranger were about to approach our child. he probably thought no adult was watching while i actually see them all through our window. soon as i got out to check on him, he immediately walked away.

criminals could be anywhere, anytime and are getting high tech and smarter too. we just wish that your child safety company could come up with greater protection products or services that will outsmart those criminals at any situation at all times. it’s so devastating whenever we hear the news about the children being molested and/or killed. i strongly believe that our children need more protection than ever.

i guess this is all i could share for now and hope this make sense to concerned parents.

54. hi! thank you for your newsletter! people thought I was so crazy about making sure the toilet seats were always down for fear my toddler would wake up in the middle of the night and stumble into the bathroom and fall in and drown. when I saw that on one of your newsletters as a precaution…I was glad to see I was not alone! thank you! I think that we should all be aware of a new real problem…human trafficking. it is so scary. I have watched a few programs on dateline and have come to realize how easy this is for people to do as they are using others teens to get at your child. they befirend them and lure them in. a so called mother or father will actually meet the parents and that parent feels a sense of safety having met the so called parent only for them to take them somewhere where horrible things befall your child. sometimes they were only a few miles away. it has become more popular as these malicious people have come to realize it is way more profitable than drugs. we must teach our children at a much younger age now that we cant always trust that people are who they say they are. its sad but necessary in these times.

Not bad, eh?!?! Amazing ideas. Now go take make your kids safer…

Alan