Don’t spend the holidays wondering where your child is . . .

The holidays  won’t be the same for the millions of families that are missing a child due to abduction.  Here are some important tips to keep your children safe during the busy holiday season.  This list has been produced by the Missing Person Center.

1.       As a parent, you can’t always take your children with you everywhere you go.  If you must leave them with someone, hopefully you have a close family member you can trust to leave them with.  Don’t be fooled and think all family members can be trusted.  Most children that are sexually abused are abused by a close family friend or family member.  Trust your instinct and listen to your children when it comes to finding a trusted babysitter.  Your kids will let you know who they are comfortable with.  Trust your instinct and that of your child when finding a sitter.  You can never be too careful.  If you have any doubt, don’t leave your child with anyone.

2.       If you must take your children with you, always have a conversation before you leave the house about safety and how you need to stay together.  Put down some rules, kids love to have rules.  It gives them the idea, they are on a mission and the goal is for everyone to come home safe. The rules should be kept simple and include everyone knowing their parent’s names, cell numbers, home phone and address.  It’s also advised that your children have contact information for a trusted family member or friend just in case you get separated and no one can reach you immediately.

3.       Don’t leave your children in a vehicle while you run into a store.  I don’t care if it’s just for a second, don’t leave your children alone in a parking lot or in front of a store.

4.       Take your cell phone out and take a quick picture of each one of your kids, even the ones that are not going on the trip.  This way if something happens and someone goes missing, you have a picture of exactly what they were wearing and looked like that day.  This information is critical if a search needs to be conducted.  I can’t tell you how many people don’t know what their kids wore the day the child disappeared.  They usually have to go through the child’s clothing at home to see what is missing and assume that is what the child was wearing.

To read the complete list, visit the Missing Person Center today at www.missingpersoncenter.com