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At home or at the mall, kids can disappear in an instant.

“It’s just so dangerous to just turn your back for a second, because they run off,” says Kim Swartz, who has a baby daughter.

Denise McNeill says her daughter “wandered away inside of a shopping mall – and we ended up finding her. She went to a police officer and they ended up paging us.”

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children says that nearly 800,000 kids are reported missing every year. While nearly all of these children are found safe, some basic tips can help kids find their parents faster.

Police say every child should learn who to ask for help, in case they can’t find a parent. Store employees, security guards or moms with kids are some of the safest options, experts say.

“Teach them about what store employees look like,” says Cpl. Todd Alexander, a crime prevention police officer with the Fulton County Police in metro Atlanta. “Usually store employees [wear] brighter colors, nametags, uniforms.”

Experts also say to teach kids that manners don’t apply if a stranger tries to grab them.

“You don’t want them walking away with an adult,” stresses Lydia Thacker, Vice President for Childcare and Diversity with the Metro Atlanta YMCA. “You don’t want them getting in a car with an adult.”

“What you want to teach your kids is that if they are confronted by a stranger, do not — absolutely do not — go with them; and do not be afraid to kick, scream, fight, pull away,” adds Corporal Alexander.

Shouting phrases like “You’re not my parent!” or “Fire!” will likely attract attention.

“‘Fire’ is always good because for some reason,” says Corporal Alexander. “People tend to help with fires versus anything else.”

Taylor McNeill, 11, says she knows what to do, if separated from a parent. “Like, if you are at a store or something, you find somebody with like a badge,” she says. She has also taken self-defense classes, and knows to scream for help if a stranger tries to grab her.

Experts caution, however, against scaring a child with warnings. By keeping the conversation light-hearted, kids can learn to be aware and safe — without becoming paranoid.

What We Need To Know

• Abductions committed by family members are more common than those committed by strangers. Make children aware of this fact, and maintain open communications with your children. If the child does go missing, up-to-date photos will help police. (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)




• Establish a family “password” system. This is a special word or phrase known only to you and your child. If you ever have to send another adult to pick up your child, tell the password to the adult as well. Kids should be taught to ask for this password whenever a stranger offers to help them. After the password has been used once, establish a new one. (Lydia Thacker, Metro Atlanta YMCA)




• Make sure kids understand that adults shouldn’t be asking for help from young children. Sexual predators may attempt to lure a child by requesting them to help “look for a lost puppy” or otherwise seeking assistance – and kids need to be comfortable saying “No.” (Cpl. Todd Alexander, Fulton County Police)




• Keep the safety conversation light-hearted, perhaps in a safe setting such as the child’s room. This will prevent them from becoming overly frightened. (Lydia Thacker, Metro Atlanta YMCA)

Resources

• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
• Federal Bureau of Investigation

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