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HOW TO HELP PROTECT YOUR CHILD Safe Sam

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  1. Don't let your child wear clothing with his or her name on it. A child will tend to pay attention to anyone calling him or her by name.
  2. Videotape and take photos of your child two or three times per year, including profile shots.
  3. Do not leave a child unattended while shopping, visiting with neighbors or friends, or running errands. Under no circumstances should you leave a child alone in a car or truck.
  4. Make sure your child always checks with you before going anywhere with anyone.
  5. Make sure your child learns his or her address and phone number at an early age. A second phone number of a friend or relative is also helpful.
  6. Teach your child how to make a collect phone call, and to begin with "Operator...I'm in trouble; I need your help."
  7. If your child is a latch-key kid, make sure that he or she knows to keep all doors and windows locked, never let anyone know that he or she is alone, and never let anyone in the house, not even someone claiming to be a police officer or from the fire department. Those kinds of professionals know to forcibly enter in case of an emergency.
  8. Have your child fingerprinted (SafeSam ID-Kits are available from Child Search®).
  9. Know whether your child is left or right handed.
  10. Keep a written record of all birthmarks, scars and identifying features, like moles or freckles.
  11. Keep a growth chart of your child; know his or her height.
  12. Make sure your child knows to scream and run if approached in an alarming way by anyone. Your child should be taught to ALWAYS tell you immediately if he or she is approached by a stranger who asks for help, offers candy/gifts, or frightens him/her in anyway. Your child should know to make you aware of anytime he or she feels uncomfortable with ANYONE.

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WAYS TO HELP PROTECT YOUR CHILD WHILE HE OR SHE IS ON THE INTERNET

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  • Personal supervision is the best way to protect your child while he or she is online. For those times when personal supervision is not possible the following rules are suggested:
  1. Make it a condition of use that your child must always ask your permission before using the internet.
  2. Teach your child to never give out personal information online including pictures of anyone. Other personal information that should never be given out online includes real names, age, race, address, city, telephone number(s), names or location of his or her school (including the name of the school's teams), family income, names of friends, passwords, credit card information. Information you send or receive over the internet is NOT private.
  3. Be SURE that your child understands that he or she should NEVER enter chat areas or have private chats without your permission.
  4. Your child should be taught that if someone says or does something that frightens him or her, he or she should not respond to that person, but tell you right away. Your child should know to make you aware of anytime he or she feels uncomfortable with ANYONE.
  5. An absolute must is that your child should NEVER arrange a face to face meeting with anyone he or she meets online.
  6. Be sure that everyone in your household knows to not open e-mail from anyone he or she doesn't know. Parents should always be shown any such e-mail.
  7. Remember that people are not always whom they claim or appear to be; sometimes adults pretend to be children.
  • Using software programs that filter or block access to certain websites are not sufficient. Ultimately it's up to you to supervise your child's internet use. Be sure to find out about the safety measures that are used anywhere your child has internet access.

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WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD DISAPPEARS

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  1. Try to remain calm. Call the appropriate law enforcement authority and file a missing persons report.
  2. Call Child Search® at 1-800-3:16-HOPE (4673).
  3. Pray to the Lord Jesus Christ. We see Him move on behalf of missing children more than all other efforts combined.

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WHAT TO DO IF YOU SEE A CHILD THAT APPEARS ON THIS SYSTEM

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  1. Do not confront the child or the adult responsible for the child. The result could be harm to you or the child, or the adult will flee elsewhere with the child.
  2. Call Child Search® at 1-800-3:16-HOPE (4637).

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There are over one million, eight hundred thousand (1,800,000) children reported missing in the United States each year! Our vast population and diverse cultures make the USA a good place to try and hide a missing child. So take a good look at the children around you. Then watch our web site for photos and information about missing children. You might be able to help put a family back together again.

Child Search® Ministries is a Christian ministry lifting up the Lord Jesus Christ as the answer to all the challenges of life. Remember that Jesus is the Lord of Lords & King of Kings. May the Lord bless & keep you and yours.



Child Search® Ministries
P.O. Box 73725
Houston, Texas 77273


Voice: 800-3:16-HOPE (4673)
Fax: 281-320-0055
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Website last updated on May 31, 2023

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