Child Safety Handbook Addresses After-School Dangers

(NAPSI)-Regardless of age, whether a child is 6 or 16, it is crucial for parents to discuss safety issues with their children. According to new data released by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), it was found that almost half of nonfamily abduction attempts happen when a child is walking to or from school or a related activity. It was also found that the majority of children affected by abduction attempts are young girls (74 percent) between the ages of 10 and 14 years old.

Free Safety Handbook

To help parents, NCMEC and Duracell have expanded their child safety resources with the addition of a free "Child Safety Handbook."

Because of the different stages of a child's development, the handbook outlines age-appropriate safety tips and scenarios that parents need to be aware of. A sampling of current technologies such as applications of GPS, wireless and Radio Frequency Identification technologies used for child safety precautions are also highlighted.

Here are a few tips from the Power of Parents "Child Safety Handbook":

• Talk to your child. Teach young children their address and telephone number and how to use a telephone. Make sure they know how to handle situations such as adults offering them a ride home.

• Monitor Internet usage and set guidelines for the people they may communicate with. Only with your knowledge and supervision should kids use webcams or post photos online.

• Pay attention to the adults your child interacts with-tutors, coaches, day care providers. Notice when someone shows one or all of your children a great deal of attention or begins giving them gifts.

• Check out the latest technology. Child locator devices with GPS are a popular tool being used in an effort to help keep children safer. These devices range from simple audio units that will emit a high-volume beep until the child is found, to cell phones, watches, shoes, coats and backpacks installed with GPS technology.

The Power of Parents Program offers a variety of important child safety tools at www.powerofparentsonline.com.

These include a free downloadable child photo ID guide, seasonal safety tips, a six-month photo ID reminder service, a free children's book designed to help 4- to 6-year-olds understand safety concepts and Teachable Moments Guides.

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