All parents are terrified of the thought of their child being kidnapped. One moment you are enjoying a day out with your family, and the next your child is missing – it’s the stuff of parents’ nightmares. And with all sorts of scary news online and on TV, it’s normal to feel scared for your child’s safety. But mums and dads, do you know how to prevent kidnapping?
The good news is it could be easier than you think. Through this one simple tip, you can potentially save your child’s life and prevent them from getting kidnapped!
Prevent Kidnapping Through This Simple Tip!
The blogger’s nephew, Jake (pictured) was almost kidnapped, but his life was saved thanks to this one simple tip on how to prevent kidnapping!
Vicky Hamilton-Ross, a blogger, shared the story of how her nephew Jake almost got kidnapped. But through one simple step, they averted disaster.
She shared that her sister Lucinda and her family were at a beachside event in England. Her sister was holding Jake’s hand, and let go of it for a moment because she had to pick something up.
When she turned around, she was horrified to find out that her son had gone missing.
Luckily, a group of army cadets were in the area, and she asked for their assistance. The cadets quickly went around, shouting the boy’s description and encouraging the crowd to help look for the boy.
Fifteen minutes later, Jake was found further along the beach. However, his mother became terrified when he told her what had happened.
A Man Attempted to Kidnap Jake!
Jake told his mum that a bald man had gone up to him, and asked him if he wanted to “see a real rocket ship.” However, Jake’s mum believed that when the cadets started shouting Jake’s description, it scared off the kidnapper.
In her blog, Vicky wrote, “I would urge every parent to do this immediately, even if you suspect they are just around the corner, what’s the worst that could happen, you are slightly embarrassed because they hadn’t gone anywhere? Well worth that risk.”
Since then, her blog post has gone viral, and she added that she was “glad it can help so many people.”
Here Are Some Additional Tips on How to prevent kidnapping:
Aside from shouting out your child’s description if they go missing, there are also other methods that are important. Here are some tips on how to to prevent kidnapping:
Teach your children…
- that there’s nothing wrong if they shout or yell “No!” while they are in danger. Children should do everything in their power to draw people towards them, and practicing helps.
- to gather at a specific area if they get lost, especially whenever you go somewhere new. Then, tell your child to remain there until you’ve come to pick them up. Make it easier for them to remember by pointing out any particular landmarks close by so that even young children will be able to recognise the gathering area.
- to know important information such as your phone number, their friend’s contact number, and your address by heart.
- not talk to strangers. Kids shouldn’t try to be friendly with people they don’t know.
- who they should approach in case of emergency. Tell your children that local police officers and other families with children are trustworthy. These people are able to help your children if an emergency happens or if they find themselves astray.
- to never enter a car or accompany someone they don’t recognise — even if the stranger asks for help, like whether the child would know whose “lost puppy” it is in the stranger’s vehicle.
- to be open to you if someone they don’t know has approached them, even if your child was threatened with harm to keep quiet. Clarify to your child that they will not get into trouble and that you’re here to protect them.
- to not disclose their location in their handphone settings through various apps or people, and not to post their mobile numbers in the internet.
Parents, do take note to…
How to prevent kidnapping: Always hold your child’s hands in public areas, especially those that are crowded. | Image Source: Stock Photo
- Always keep an eye on your kids. Never let them leave your sight, even for just a moment.
- When outside, make sure your child wears clothes that have conspicuous colours. That way, you can easily find them should they get lost in a crowd.
- Stay cautious when uploading photos of children on social media. You don’t need to include personal information or your current location.
- Toddlers and kids tend to roam a lot. Maybe try and fix a rule where children must always hold your hand unless you tell them not to. Do implement this rule in crowded areas like airports or amusement parks.
- be aware of your child’s location, and people they are familiar with.
- be observant of any odd or unusual behaviour and ask them if something’s wrong.
- always keep your children by your side in a public areas, cars, or strollers
- never request for a stranger’s help to carry your baby, even if momentarily.
- never put labels on your child’s lunch boxes or clothes.
- not give permission for children to wander areas alone. Always assign a tag buddy before going outdoors.
- Be alert to threats.
- Keep updated photos of your child.
- Retain dental and medical records for identification purposes.
- Help foster critical thinking and intuitive reflexes in older children, so that they can expect danger such as slow-driving cars that may be parked near a playground.
Parents, we hope that this article on how to prevent kidnapping was useful in keeping your kids safe. Read on more about other kidnapping related-news, such as Kidnap scams on the rise in Singapore.
Source: Newshub, healthychildren.org, Huffington Post