What are the most important things parents should tell their children about safety?
- Always check first with a parent, guardian, or trusted adult before going anywhere, accepting anything, or getting into a car with anyone.
- Do not go out alone. Always take a friend with when going places or playing outside.
- Say no if someone tries to touch you, or treats you in a way that makes you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. Get out of the situation as quickly as possible.
- Tell a parent, guardian, or trusted adult if you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.
- There will always be someone to help you, and you have the right to be safe.
What should I do if my child is MISSING?
ACT IMMEDIATELY- Call 911
If your child is missing at HOME:
- Search the house checking closets, piles of laundry, in and under beds, inside large appliances, and inside vehicles, including trunks—wherever a child may crawl or hide.
- If you still cannot find your child, immediately call your local law enforcement agency.
If your child is missing at a STORE:
- Notify the store manager or security office.
- Many stores have a Code Adam plan of action— if a child is missing in the store, employees immediately mobilize to look for the missing child.
- Then immediately call your local law-enforcement agency.
When you call law enforcement:
- Provide your child’s name, date of birth, height, weight, and any other unique identifiers such as eyeglasses and braces.
- Tell them when you noticed that your child was missing and what clothing he or she was wearing.
- Request that your child’s name and identifying information be immediately entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Missing Person File.
- After you have reported your child missing to law enforcement, call the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children on the toll-free telephone number: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).