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- Teach your children the facts about abduction early. If handled matter of factly and calmly as another coping skill, children need not be frightened.
- Have your children fingerprinted. Maintain current dental records. Have current photos of your children. For children under seven, photos should be taken twice yearly; for children over seven, annually. Videotape your children.
- Obtain passports so your children cannot be taken out of the country without your permission.
- Teach your children their full names, addresses, and phone numbers, including area code and long distance dialing information. Post emergency numbers near the phone and show children how to dial 911. They should also know what to say to an operator if they are lost or have an emergency.
- Never put your children's names on any article of clothing, lunch box, backpack, etc. A stranger should never be able to call your child by name.
- Be cautious when choosing daycare facilities, preschools, or babysitters. Check references. Make sure they will release your child to no one but you without prior permission.
- Instruct babysitters or children left at home to never open the door to strangers and to never volunteer information over the phone. They should say that you are home, but are unable to come to the phone.
- Instruct your children what to do if threatened by a stranger, and to report any suspicious incidents to you. Tell your children never to get near a stranger's car, give someone directions or help look for a missing or lost pet if asked to do so by someone they don't know.
- Never leave children unattended in a car, not even for a minute.
- If your child is old enough to be out on his own, encourage him to use the "buddy system" and to avoid empty lots, fields and parks. Know the route your child takes to a from school. Have your children check in with you at a specific time, if you will not be home at their arrival.
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