Be Smart About Your Child's Safety

Kids are back in school and it never hurts to review safety with your child and yourself. We all get caught up in our busy schedules. We can become complacent with the routine. Sometimes we have to take a breath and open our eyes, ears, and minds and flip the common sense switch.

We all want to protect our children or just help them remember important information. However, we must be mindful of how much information about your child, you send with your child. When you’re filling out labels on backpacks, lunch boxes, coats, binders, etc., take a second to think about what information is really necessary. Information such as names, addresses, and phone numbers can be very revealing. Child predators only need little bits of information to seem friendly and familiar to your child. Someone that has your child’s name can be very convincing that the child should come with them.

With cellphone cameras it is easier than ever to keep current photos of your children. Whenever you go to busy public areas or they have field trips, take a photo. If needed, you would have a current picture of the child and clothing to give to the police.

Unfortunately, child predators are a reality that is all too present, even in our own community. There have been abduction attempts in Odenton last school year and over the summer.

Be smart and safe.