Perkerson Civic Association

Child Safety - Prevention - Be Alert!

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Sex Offender Information

For most citizens, the easiest method to obtain accurate and timely sex offender information for their local area is to visit their state sex offender registry website. States are required to provide this information for free. You do not need to pay for this information.

In the 30315 zip code, the registered sex offenders can be found at http://www.ganet.org/gbi/sorsch.cgi. Please be sure to read all the disclaimers provided by the state.

For more information check out the resources listed below:

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Kids and Cars Safety Information

*** Mission is to assure no child dies or is injured in a non-traffic, motor vehicle related event. ***

It is difficult to think of anything more tragic than the needless (preventable) death of a child. Every one of these deaths is a tragedy, especially to family and friends; and each one serves as a powerful warning that other children are at risk.

You are very welcome here. Take your time and explore the valuable resources available on our website. We hope you find this information useful and will want to help us work to prevent children from being injured or killed.

Janette E. Fennell, Founder and President, KIDS AND CARS

Children should never be left unattended in or around parked cars. There are just too many risks. Below are just some of the dangers children are exposed to:

Backed Over By Vehicles - Backovers
Hit By Vehicles Moving Forward - Frontovers
Car Theft With Child In Vehicle
Children Left In Vehicle - Heat Stroke or Hyperthermia
Incidents Involving Power Windows
Vehicle Set In Motion By A Child
Hopping Into A Car Trunk During An Innocent Game of Hide-and-Seek
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Finding Matches That Set The Car Aflame
Leaving The Vehicle Along To Go To The Bathroom, or To Go Looking For You
Underage Drivers

For more information check out the Kids and Cars Website listed below:

Kids and Cars Website

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Making Our Children Safe-Child Safety Tips

Website Source: essortment: Information and Advice You Want to Know

We need to make sure that our children know what to do in dangerous situations. Here are some safety tips for your children.

Children are precious and should be treated and protected as such. It's not enough for us as adults to know and understand the dangers that lurk around us, and our children. We need to make sure that our children know what to do in dangerous situations. Here are some safety tips for your children.

When reviewing safety tips with your children, it’s important to do it in a way that is non-threatening. You want your children to be aware of danger signs but you don’t want them living in fear. Instead, encourage your child to trust his/her ‘gut instinct’ and always make sure that your communication lines are open. You want your children to feel ‘safe’ in sharing their fears with you at all times.

When and if your child does disclose something to you, make sure you really listen, not only to what they’re saying but how they say it, and watch for body language. Make sure your child understands that their body is not to be touched in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable, and that they can always come to you if they are unsure of anything, even if family members are involved.

Answering The Front Door

For those children who spend some time at home alone, answering the front door can be extremely important. When alone, a child should never answer the door. Even if it’s a friend or relative of the family – if that person has arrived unexpectedly, it’s better for the child to not let them in. Statistics show that abductors of children are usually someone the child already knows. Children also need to be taught that even though the parent is home, it’s still important for the child to get the parent before answering the door.

Answering The Telephone

When children are alone at home and they answer the phone, they are never to state that they are home alone. Teach your child to say that the parent is unavailable, to take a message, and then hang up. If the child receives any prank or obscene phone calls, he or she should tell the parent. Children should also be taught to never give out any personal information, no matter who is calling. That should be left to the parent to decide on.

Around The Home

When cooking, make sure you always turn your pot handles in so that they are not hanging over the side of the stove. Children can be badly burned if they grab hold of the handle and pull it down, or if they knock it off by accident. Never leave a cup of hot coffee or tea on a counter where a child can reach. Never leave knives or other sharp objects where a child can reach them. Never leave cupboard doors or drawers open as fingers can get caught or shut in them.

Take a few minutes to walk through your home and look around for possible dangers that your children may be exposed to. It’s good to do this at least once a month.

Teach Your Children How To Dial 911

Children are more capable than we sometimes give them credit for. This is especially true when we take the time to teach our children what to do in different circumstances. It’s important for you to teach your children what to do when and if an emergency should arise. First things first, teach them how to call 911. Take a few minutes to explain the importance of calling 911. Go over what a 911 operator will ask, such as, what, where, why, when, and how. You can even pretend to make a few calls to help them feel more comfortable with this.

If Your Child Gets Lost

It’s always good to know where your child is but sometimes that can be out of our control. We need to prepare our children for whatever may come up. Make sure that your child always has money for a phone call. I know that many children today now have cellular phones in cases of emergency. Make sure that they know that they can call 911 if they get lost and have no other means of getting safe help. Encourage them to always go with a ‘buddy’ – there is safety in numbers. Explain to your children the importance of always telling you where they are going and for how long they will be gone.

If your child gets separated from you in a mall or store, teach your child to go to the help or information desk, or approach a security officer to get help in finding you again. Make sure that your child knows his full name, phone number and address.

The Code

Many families are now developing a code word that is known only by them and close friends. This code is used in instances where a child is approached by a family member, or someone else, telling the child to come with them to see their parent or other family member. If that person does not know the code, the child is not to go with them no matter what.

Strangers

Strangers can be confusing for children, especially when a stranger talks to a parent of a child. When it comes to strangers, we can never be too careful. There are certain rules to follow that will help keep our children safe. Basically, the only time a child should talk to a stranger is when he or she is in trouble and needs help. Children should only seek out a stranger’s help when they are lost or hurt, or are trying to get away from someone who is hurting them. We need to make sure our children understand the importance of this. Lastly, make sure your child realizes that strangers look like everyone else – they don’t look like a wild monster or strange creature – meaning your child will not be able to judge a nice stranger from a stranger bent on harming them.

Never label your child’s clothing, knapsack/bag, or anything else as a stranger could use the information to help gain the child’s trust.

Being A Prepared Parent

As a parent, there are ways that you can be even more prepared should disaster strike. Read up on what to do in emergency circumstances, such as choking, burns, falls, poisons, etc. This information is easily attainable and can only make you better prepared should anything happen. Also, always have a list of emergency numbers close to your phone.

Website Link: Child Safety Tips Article

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Child Safety Tips: Preventing Abduction

At one point or another in a child's life they "go missing". Most often, they return on their own, safe and unharmed. Even a short disaapearance will cause a parent to confront their worst fear. The abduction of a child is every parent's worst nightmare.

Child abductions are rare, but they do happen. As parents, we can fight back through preparation and abduction prevention.

Stranger Danger

Most people genuinely care about children, and not all strangers are bad. However, we must educate parents and children to recognize and avoid dangerous child abduction situations. Knowlege, caution and alertness are our children's best protection.

The tips below can help you reduce the risk of your child becoming a victim of abduction. Please take the time to read this child protection information and share it with your children.

Child Safety Tips - Index

I. How Parents Can Protect Children

II. How Children Can Protect Themselves

III. Patterns Of Child Abduction

IV. Environments That May Promote Child Abduction

V. Tricks Strangers Use To Lure Children

VI. Recognizing Signs Of Sexual Abuse

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I. How Parents Can Protect Children From Abduction

Know where your children are at all times and who they are with.
Never leave your child alone in a public place, stroller or car.
Always accompany younger children to a public restroom.
Teach your children not to accept rides and gifts from strangers.
Always accompany your child on door-to-door activities, i.e. Halloween, school fundraising campaigns, etc.
Establish a routine for picking your children up from school or other events.
Agree on a simple code word for emergency situations. A trusted adult who knows the code word can pick up your child if necessary.
Make sure your child knows their full name, address and phone number.
Teach your child how to reach you (home, office, mobile)
Teach your child how to call the police.
Have a plan in case your child gets separated from you in public.
Teach your child to stay in groups of friends when going anywhere .
Tell your children about child abductions in simple and easy to understand terms. Awareness can help them protect themselves.
Avoid clothing and toys with your child's name on it. A child may not fear someone who knows his/her name.
Promote an environment in which your child feels free to talk to you.
Let your child know that you will pick them up at any time, any place.
Listen closely when your child talks about friends or aquaintances they spend time with in your absence.
Check all potential babysitters and older friends of your child.
Teach your child to recognize suspicious behavior and collect descriptions.
Urge your child to think escape / survival if he or she were ever abducted.
Speak to your local law enforcement agency to find out about neighborhood watch.
Get to know your neighbors and the children in the area. Make sure your child's friends know your house is safe and they can seek help from you.
Check with your local law enforcement to find out if there are sexual offenders in your area.
Use a system such as KidSave to organize your child's photo and child ID card with pertinent descriptive data.
Keep up-to-date medical/dental history and finger print cards.
Teach your child that there is always someone to help them, and they have the right to be safe.

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II. How Children Can Protect Themselves

- Always tell your parents where you are going and who you are with.

-Never answer the door if alone.

-Do not invite anyone in the house without the permission of a parent or babysitter.

-NEVER get into anyone's car without permission.

-Don't tell anyone on the phone that your parents are not home. Instead tell them that your parents can't come to the phone and take a message.

-Don't go to restrooms in out-of-the-way places without a trusted adult.

-Don't take short cuts. Always use well-traveled streets.

-Never go to playgrounds or movies alone.

-Go to the nearest cashier if lost or separated from a parent in a store or mall.

-Do not take candy or other gifts from strangers without asking a parent first.

-Never hitch-hike.

-Stay away from isolated areas or abandoned buildings.

-If you do not know the driver of a car that slows down or stops near you. Run home, to the police department or to a public place where there are people. Do not run and hide.

-If an adult approaches to ask for directions, step back, tell them you don't know and walk away. Adults should ask other adults for
directions.

-If forced toward a building or car, scream "help", scatter belongings and fight.

-No one has the right to touch any part of your body that a bathing suit would cover.

-If someone touches you in a way that feels uncomfortable, tell them in a loud voice that it is your body and they don't have the right to touch you, even if it is a relative or friend. Tell an adult you can trust and keep telling until someone believes you.

-If you see someone unusual hanging around a schoolyard or a park, tell your parents.

-Tell a parent about anyone who exposes themselves to you.

-Don't believe any adult who asks you to keep a secret from your parents.
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III. Patterns Of Child Abduction

-In abduction cases, the first few hours are the most critical.

-75% of abductions are by a family member or an acquaintance.

-Only 25% of kids are taken by strangers.The majority of these abductors are men

-When kids are taken by strangers, 66% of the victims are female children.

-76% percent of victims are Caucasian females with and average age of 11years.

-Infant abductions are fairly rare, but the abductors are usually women.

-Most abducted children are in their teens.

-Most abductors/predators are usually highly skilled in the art of manipulation.

-Abductors/predators often single out a lone child or one that is out late at night alone.

-Abductors/predators usually befriend their victim.

-Abductors/predators singls out children or teenagers that seem to have problems at home.

-Abductors/predators identify and pursue at-risk children or teens is.

-Many child abductors/predators were victims of domestic violence themselves.

-The majority of children reported missing are either run-aways or there has been a miscommunication with their parents.
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IV. Environments That May Promote Child Abduction

-Walking alone to or from school (especially before and after normal school hours)

-Waiting for a school bus alone

-Playing in a public park or playground after hours or late in the evening or playing unsupervised at any time

-Exploring remote areas

-Using enclosed, poorly lit stairways, corridors and public rooms

-Riding a bicycle alone or at night

-Using late night or all night facilities, such as laundry facilities

-Waiting in public parking lots (e.g. at malls)

-Walking unattended in a crowded mall or other public places

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V. Tricks Strangers Use To Lure Children

-A stranger may quickly approach the victim. This element of surprise does not allow the child to think about what is happening and get away.

-A stranger may pose as an authority figure (police, firemen, security) and ask the child to leave with them.

-A stranger may try to bribe the child with money, candy, toys, cute pets, etc.

-A stranger may tell the child there is a crisis such as family illness and say a parent told them to pick the child up.

-A stranger may approach with compliments to appeal to child's ego.

-A stranger may approach with false caring, promise or knowing child's name if noted on child's possessions
(shirt, lunchbox, toy).

-A stranger may suggest playing games.

-A stranger may ask for help, such as directions or to help find a lost pet.

-A stranger may fake injury requesting help

-Children often idolize adults, allowing false trust. Strangers prey on this false trust.

-A stranger may try to lure a child by asking the child to do work for the stranger.
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VI. Recognizing Signs Of Child Sexual Abuse

Changes in behavior, extreme mood swings, withdrawal, fearlessness, excessive crying
Bed-wetting, nightmares, fear of going to bed and sleep disorders
Acting out inappropriate sexual activity or showing unusual interest in sexual matters
A sudden acting out of feelings or aggressive, rebellious behavior
Regression to infantile behavior
A fear of certain places, people or activities
Pain, itching, bleeding, fluid or rawness in the private areas

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