Child Safety ID Kits

Family Adventure

GOAL:   

Teach family members safety tips and help the family be prepared in the case of an emergency

The ADVENTURE:   Review safety tips and prepare Safety Kits for each family member.

TIPS/Reward Suggestions:

   Let the kids choose a favorite treat to enjoy together after the kits are completed

  Let the kids choose the picture they want to use for the kit

Start this Adventure by having a silly 'photo session' with the whole family to get some new pics. Along with getting good, serious pictures of each family member, include some 'silly' poses, both as individuals and as a family or with groups of siblings and/or parents. Make it FUN and lighthearted to set the stage for the serious chat that you're about to have about safety!

  Take time to really listen to them, encourage them to share their ideas and thoughts and feelings about the different safety tips, and encourage the kids to take the lead as 'Safety Specialists' in the family. This will empower them with self-confidence as well as instill in them a sense of responsibility to follow the safety guidelines that have been established.

Step 1: Review the following Safety Tips as a family, and complete any of the steps as needed:

❏  Make sure each family member knows his/her full name, as well as parents' names, address and telephone number, including area code. Take time to help each child learn any information as needed.

❏ Make sure each child knows how to use a phone.

Help children understand  that they should:

❏ Never say they’re alone when answering the phone – instead, offer to take a message saying that their parents 'can't come to the phone right now' or 'will be back in just a minute'. NEVER tell a stranger that they are alone and will be alone for any amount of time. This applies to teens as well as young kids!

❏ Never answer the door if alone.  Never invite anyone in the house w/out permission of a parent (or baby-sitter). Again- this applies to teens as well as younger children.

❏ Never take candy or gifts from strangers or anyone else without asking a parent first.

❏ Never play in deserted buildings or isolated areas.

Make sure your children understand how important it is to:

❏ Move away from cars that pull up beside them if they do not know the driver.

❏ Know the difference between good touch - bad touch. Check here for ideas on how to have this conversation.

❏ Avoid shortcuts through empty parks, fields, laneways or alleys.

❏ Run home or go to the nearest public place if they are being followed, and yell for help.

❏ Tell parents if someone has asked them to keep a secret.

❏  Tell parents if they notice anything unusual or suspicious, or if at any time they feel 'uncomfortable' in their gut.

❏ Tell parents where they are at all times or leave a message at home.

❏ Always give up money, jewelry or clothing rather than fight. 'Things' can be replaced.

❏ Know they can talk to you and call you to pick them up at any time.

Parents and Kids alike should:

❏  Avoid clothing and toys with the child’s name on it.  Even adults are less likely to fear someone who knows his/her name, kids even more so!

❏ It is important for parents to check all potential baby-sitters and older friends of a child.  It doesn't mean the parent doesn't trust them, it means they love them enough to go the extra mile to keep them safe!

❏ Parents - Never leave your child alone in a public place, stroller or car, even for a minute. Kids- Never leave your parent in a public place. Stick to them like glue!

❏ Young children should always be accompanied to the bathroom in public places. Again- it's not showing a lack of trust or demeaning a child's age or ability-- it's a matter of safety. Parents and kids alike play an important role in everyone's safety!

❏ Always accompany your child on door-to-door activities! No matter how well you know the neighborhood, you don't know what might be happening in the neighborhood and what strangers may be driving through your neighborhood. Parents, accompany your children. Kids-- Thank Mom & Dad for caring rather than fight them on it!

Just for Parents:

❏ Create an environment where a child feels safe to talk to you.  Let him/her know that you are interested and sensitive to their fears.

❏ Teach children that the police are their friends and that they can rely on them if they are in trouble.

❏ Keep an up-to-date color photograph of your child, a medical and dental history, and have your child fingerprinted. (Complete the Child Safety ID kit below. You may want to achieve this and the item above by taking your child to the local Police Station and asking a police officer to help with the fingerprinting. This way kids have a positive experience with police officers AND you know their fingerprints were done correctly!)

❏ Stay involved in your child’s life by communicating daily to prevent your child from running away. The Chit Chat Adventure provides some great questions to help you keep the conversation going. Any of the Discovery Family Adventures are a great way to build a positive relationship with your kids!

STEP 2:

❏ Go to THIS LINK to get your Child Safety ID Kit.

❏ Print off a Child Safety Kit for each member of the family. Yes- it's a good idea to have one for parents, too! It also shows your children the importance of it, and it's more fun if everyone is doing it!

❏ Complete the Safety Kits and store them in a safe place, but where you can get to them easily for updates and if they are ever needed. Note that the samples (hair and cheek swabs) should be marked and stored in the freezer in a freezer safe bag.

❏ UPDATE every 6 months! 

Stay tuned to your local Discover Family Fun community and we'll remind you!

Community Engagement Adventure

Now that your home is safe it's time to help make your neighborhood safe!

Help create a Neighborhood Watch on your street. Here are some steps to get you started . . .

❏ First of all, share this Adventure with everyone on the street so that they can get Safety ID Kits made for their family. You can put together a flyer, send it out via email (if you have everyone's email, post in a neighborhood chat group, etc.)

❏  You can start an unofficial neighborhood watch group by putting together a flyer or 'safety kit' to distribute to neighbors encouraging them to complete this Discovery Family Adventure with their families AND asking everyone to be alert and watch for unusual activity on their street and report it to the neighbor impacted, or the police if applicable. You may even want to put up a sign at both ends of your street letting any would-be problem-makers that your street is a neighborhood watch street that looks out for each other!

❏  If you'd like you can start an official Watch Group:

1. Recruit and Organize as many neighbors as possible.

2. Contact your local law enforcement agency and schedule a meeting.

3. Discuss community concerns and develop an action plan.

4. Create a communication plan.

5. Take Action: Hold Meetings and Events.

Photo Location

Take a picture of your family with your completed ID Kits.