WE ENCOURAGE ADULT SUPERVISION OF PLAYGROUND-BOUND KIDS
Playgrounds help children build strength, coordination and social skills. They also make kids more vulnerable to predators who frequent public areas. As proud sponsors of Dignity Memorial Escape School the professionals at KLAHEN, FAHL & MELTON hope to increase awareness of this issue as children head outdoors this summer.
Though the victims’ ages and circumstances vary, the Department of Justice estimates that more than 50,000 children fall prey to non-family abductions each year. While the rate of recovery in such kidnappings is high, the trauma of abduction may affect the victims for the rest of their lives. Abductions and attempted abductions have occurred on playgrounds, which are havens of fun to children but are also attractive to predators. In addition to guarding against the physical injuries that occur on a playground parents must guard against the human hazard. Here is some common sense assistance:
Keeping track of more than one child at a playground can be challenging. If the playground is very large, encourage kids to stay within a few yards of each other.
If an adult is responsible for several children but a mishap or injury focuses attention on one child, the other children should be called over to “help.”
To keep busy at the playground, choose activities that allow you to be able to also keep your eyes on your children, like returning cell phone calls or getting pictures of the kids at play.
Some playgrounds may seem like perfect spots for endless games of hide-and-go-seek. Too many hiding places, though, can spell trouble. If you’re not comfortable with the visibility at one playground, switch to another.
A visit to a public restroom always requires adult supervision. Sadly, unattended children have been abducted or assaulted in public restrooms. Should the child be of the opposite sex, the parent can cover his or her eyes on the way to the stall, if necessary.
Never assume that another adult is watching your children. This sometimes happens when two or more families go on outings together. Instead, think of yourself as an extra set of eyes for the other family’s kids, and vise versa.
Never assume that your spouse is watching your children. Children have been lost more than once because each spouse thought the other was watching. You and your spouse should watch the children as a team. If you have to leave for a moment, always communicate to your partner that you are leaving the children in his or her care.
The Dignity Memorial network sponsors Dignity Memorial Escape School to help children become “smart, not scared,” when it comes to the subject of abduction. The program teaches escape tactics and common tricks and ploys used by abductors.
Dignity Memorials Escape School is brought to our community by KLAEHN, FAHL & MELTON FUNERAL HOMES. For more information about Dignity Memorial Escape School call 424-1525.
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