728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Safety › Staying Safe

Staying Safe

Empower Your Children Today

By Jill Weinlein

Pages:  1  2  3  

  • Have a family code word. It could be a pet's name or favorite color. If your child is lost or waiting for you, and a stranger approaches saying, "Your mom had an emergency and asked for me to take you home," have your child ask for the code word. If the stranger doesn't know it, he/she is to scream and run for help.
  • Stay involved in your children's lives. Attend school field trips, host play dates and sleepovers. Get to know your children's friends and families before you allow them to participate in these activities in their homes.
  • Share meals with your children and have them share the best and worst that happen to them at school. Listen carefully to your child's fears and be supportive in all discussions.

    • It is important parents enhance their awareness of their neighborhood, friends and family. The parents of 7-year-old Megan Kanka of New Jersey were not aware that their neighbor was a twice-convicted sex offender until he was charged with the rape and murder of their daughter.

    Megan's Law, passed in 1996, provides parents with a list of high-risk predators and offenders in their community. While at my local police station, I filled out a form and was granted access to the Megan's Law Web site. Produced by the Department of Justice in many states, I typed in my zip code and pulled up a list of serious registered sex offenders with their name, picture, address, status and crimes convicted in my community.

    Pages:  1  2  3  

    Want to see more?

    Comments

    Found 1 comment
    Displaying all 1 comments below

    Amber Alerts by anonymous on 08/13/2009 05:48PM

    It always breaks my heart to see an Amber Alert posted.

    add a comment.

    Post As:
    Enter your comment below:
    Title
    Comment Text
    CAPTCHA
    Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.