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Tagging Our Children

A Simple Way to Protect Our Kids

As with any safety measure, parents should coach their children on what to do in an emergency situation.

1. Instruct children to never go anywhere without first getting permission.
2. Have children wear up-to-date, discreet personal ID at all times.
3. Parents should always carry a current photo ID of their child.
4. Before going on an outing, play a game of "what do I look like?". Have your children recite what you look like and what you are wearing that day.
5. If lost, tell children to stay where they are. Don't go running around looking for Mommy and Daddy. Assure them you will return to where you last saw them.
6. Everywhere you go, point out a uniformed employee so children know whom to look for in an emergency.
7. Tell children to also look for another mother with young children and go to her. Mothers are most likely to help other young children.
8. Teach children to show their ID to another mother or uniformed employee in an emergency situation.
9. Go over "stranger danger" rules: Never talk to strangers unless you need help in an emergency, stay a safe distance from people you don't know, and scream "Help! You're not my Mommy or Daddy," if someone tries to grab them.
10. Teach children to rip off their Who's Shoes ID and leave it as a clue for law enforcement if a stranger takes them.