Keeping Kids Safe While Shopping This Holiday Season
The following article first appeared at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. “The Mentalist” Actor Tim Kang helped to educate parents what to do and what not to do.
Parents need to be careful not to let their guard down or become distracted while traveling or attending public functions during the holiday season. Tim Kang, actor from the hit CBS show The Mentalist has partnered with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) to help educate parents about what they should be telling their children to keep them safe while shopping and traveling this holiday season.
Parents need to talk with children about safety before heading out to a busy shopping mall or boarding a plane, train, or bus this holiday season. Crowds are greater this time of year and children may easily become separated from their parents, causing confusion and fear. If that should happen, parents need a plan and children should know what to do.
“Unfortunately many adults and children don’t know what to do if they lose each other in a public place or are faced with other unsafe situations,” said actor Tim Kang. “That’s why the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is offering advice on how to remain safe and avoid panic and potential dangers.”
ALWAYS
- Keep children with you at all times while shopping.
- Accompany and supervise children in public facilities, including restrooms.
- Have a plan in case you become separated, including a pre-designated spot to meet. Continue reading
Talking While Walking is Not Safe
Many states have laws or are trying to pass legislation that makes it illegal to talk on the phone while driving. Why? Because talking while driving is a huge distraction. Accident statistics will back that up.
Yet consider how many people talk (or text) while walking. Would not the same distractions apply?
Far too many people have a false sense of security when they talk on the phone while walking across campus, parking lots or strolling for exercise. How can you possibly have keen domain awareness if you’re yapping on the phone? You can’t. You may feel safer with someone on the other end of the phone but you’re actually putting yourself in more danger.
There is a win/win solution –
Get your friend or loved one on the phone and provide details as to your whereabouts. But then rather than continue talking, merely keep the line open, phone in hand at your side and walk to your destination. This provides a much safer opportunity for you to be aware of your surroundings and notice any lurking threats. Should you need any assistance, you already have a direct connection to someone who can get emergency personnel to you.
Now that you know the potential dangers, are you willing to try this method of walking and not talking next time you find yourself traveling by foot?
Awareness without action is worthless. – Phil McGraw
Do You Have a Current Photo of Your Child?
If I asked you to provide a current photograph of your child, could you do it RIGHT NOW in 30 seconds or less?
Some of you will say “Yes, absolutely!” and show me your phone which proudly contains a picture of Junior, taken just this weekend. Or perhaps you’ll open your wallet and hand me this year’s school picture.
Others will tell me they have to get to their computer, desk or fireplace mantle at home before they could provide me with a semi-current photo of their bundle of joy.
Yet others will show me an adorable photo of their little one, taken years earlier. And still a group of you will sheepishly admit that no, you don’t have a photo of your child readily available.
Consider every parent’s nightmare – an abduction of their child. No one likes to think about the possibility that one of their children could ever be kidnapped. All one needs to do is turn on the news or perform an online search, keywords: “child abducted” to find a number of parents who are living this nightmare.
Timing is of the essence in finding a missing child; every minute and hour is crucial. Can you even imagine receiving the news that your child was taken, and then trying to locate a current photograph of your son or daughter in the midst of the chaos? Eliminate the possibility that you could waste precious moments on this task and ensure you have a current photograph you could provide to the police within 30 seconds.
On the back of the photograph, or on a separate wallet card if you only have digital photos, list vital, current information specific to that child. It’s common to list little Johnnie’s name, grade, age and year on the back of school photographs.
Though for the one you will carry, include full name, date of birth, current height/weight, eye and hair color, any visible markings such as scars or birthmarks, blood type, and contact information for your child’s dentist.
It goes without saying that should this horrific situation ever become a reality you will want the authorities to do absolutely everything in their power to bring your baby home safely. Expedite the search process by having this critical information available and accessible at a moment’s notice.
Wallet or phone photos of babies and young children should be updated every six months, at a minimum. School aged children should be updated at least once each year.
Please take care of this essential issue today; it’s too important to procrastinate.
