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The Niagara Region
is one of the safest places in the world. To help make it even safer, the following
information has been compiled by the Niagara Regional Police Service with the assistance
of the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General and crime prevention professionals.
Following our suggestions won't completely protect
your child, but it will help reduce the risk of a missing child and aid in a safe
recovery. Remember, all children are vulnerable.
Be aware of the risks and dangers that innocent
children may encounter. Through practical knowledge and training, parents and
children can be prepared to deal with threatening circumstances.
TEACH
YOUR CHILDREN ACCORDING TO THEIR AGE
ENSURE THEY KNOW:
- Their name, age, telephone number, area code,
address, city and province
- To carry identification
- How to phone long distance by dialing direct or with
operator assistance
- How to reach you in an emergency. How to reach
police, fire, ambulance, doctor, relative, and neighbour
- To carry enough money to make a phone call
- To tell you where they will be at all times
- Never to say they are alone if they answer the phone
- Not to answer the door if they are alone
- Never to invite strangers into their home
- Not to enter anyone's home without your permission
- Not to accept gifts from strangers
- Never to approach or enter a stranger's car
- Never to hitchhike
- That they have your permission to say "no"
to an adult, especially if that person wants them to do something you've taught them is
wrong
- That no one has the right to touch any part of their
body that a bathing suit would cover
- To tell you if someone has asked them to keep a
secret from you
- To scatter their books and belongings if they are
forced towards a building or car
- Never to play in deserted buildings or isolated areas
- Never to take shortcuts through empty parks or fields
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN:
- That if they become separated from you at a grocery
store or shopping mall, to go directly to a cashier or checkout-counter clerk
- To recognize suspicious behaviour and remember a
description of the person or vehicle to give to you or the police
- Never to show their money, and if they are attacked
for it, to give it up rather than risk injury
- That police officers are their friends and that they
can rely on them if they are in trouble
- That they can talk to you and that you are interested
and sensitive to their fears
... AND YOURSELF
- To provide school or day-care centre the names of
persons to whom your child may be released. Also inform school or day-care centre
who to notify in the event that the child does not arrive at school
- To look carefully at your child's clothing each day
- To keep a medical and dental history of your child's
blood type, medical problems, scars, broken bones, pulled teeth, braces, glasses,
medication, allergies, etc.
- To have your child fingerprinted and keep the prints
with other pertinent information
- To avoid clothing and toys with the child's name on
it. This is important because children are less likely to be fearful of someone who
knows their name
- To check all potential babysitters and older friends
of your child
- To never leave your child alone in a public place,
stroller or car
- To always accompany children to the bathroom in a
public place, and advise them never to loiter in or around the area
- To always accompany your child on door-to-door
activities, i.e. Hallowe'en, school fundraising campaigns
- To make a list of important names, telephone numbers
and addresses and place these where they are easily accessible to the child at home,
preferably near the telephone.
OTHER INFORMATION
A printable version of this document is also available to view and
download. To find out more, click HERE
to visit the Just the
FAQs section of our Web site.
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