Have A Child-Safe Christmas
By Jeff Griesemer

      At one time or another every parent has experienced the panic of turning around in a crowded mall or store and your child is no where to be seen. For most, that terrible feeling lasts only a moment as little Suzy pops out from behind a clothes rack and your heart starts beating again. With the sometimes hectic pace of the holiday season, parents need to be even more diligent in their efforts to keep children safe, and make sure you have a current photograph of your child in your wallet! It is the best tool you can have if your child is ever lost or missing.

      Jessica Lunsford, Sarah Lunde, Carlie Brucia are just a few of the names and stories that grab our hearts and make us realize that there truly are some monsters in the world, monsters that prey on our children.

      How do we keep children safe and yet not make them terrified of the world around them? Give them a plan of action and then practice the plan! Fear is simply not knowing what to do… we can teach our kids how to recognize what are potentially dangerous situations, to avoid them when possible, and how to react if the need arises. Like so much in life, education is the key!

Here are a couple of tips to review and practice with your children:

1. If I think I’m lost or if I get separated from mom and dad, I should stop, stay put, and NEVER go anywhere with anybody. If someone wants to help, I will ask them to go find you, but will never go anywhere with them.
This keeps you and your child from walking in opposite directions looking for each other, and helps eliminate an opportunity for a predator to take advantage of the situation.

2. Anytime an adult other than mom or dad asks me to do something there is only one answer… “I have to check first.”  And it doesn’t matter if I know the person or not, I always check first!
A common lure used by predators is to ask a child for help- "Can you help me find my lost puppy?", "I’m lost can you give me directions?"

Find more helpful safety tips online at www.ChildRescueNetwork.org

Jeff Griesemer is the President/CEO of Child Rescue Network, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which provides community outreach programs including awareness and safety seminars for parents at churches, daycares, schools, organizations, and businesses. CRN also provides parents with FREE photo/fingerprint safety identification cards of their children. For events, check online at www.ChildRescueNetwork.org.