The suspects in the kidnapping of Missouri 5-year old Devon Denham have been arrested.

 

Elizabeth Denman, believed to be Devon’s non custodial parent, and Mark A. Cochran, a registered sex offender, were apprehended in Indian Bend Wash Park in the Phoenix area and arrested without incident.  The two are primary suspects in Devon’s kidnapping at gunpoint from his home in Lake Ozark, Missouri on Sunday night.

 

A handgun was also recovered at the scene of the arrest.

 

The suspects are being held at the Maricopa County jail awaiting arraignment.

A Missouri 5-year old was found alive in Prewitt, New Mexico Sunday night, nearly 24 hours after his abduction by gunpoint from his family home in Lake Ozark, Missouri.

 

Police stopped a vehicle with a burned out headlight, and after determining the car was stolen, an officer approached the vehicle, causing the suspect to drive away.  Shots were fired at the police and a high speed chase ensued. Officers eventually stopped the vehicle by using a tire-puncturing device.  The two suspects fled the vehicle on foot and escaped.  Devon Denman was found unharmed in the vehicle.

 

The suspects are Elizabeth Denman, the child’s non custodial mother, and Mark A. Cochran, a registered sex offender.  They are still at large and are considered armed and dangerous.

 

Sources:

 

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/07/12/new.mexico.boy.found/index.html?hpt=Sbin

http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/crime/boy-abducted-in-mo-found-in-prewitt

Paul Sterling Smith, a registered sex offender who was wanted for questioning in the abduction of 4-year old Alisa Maier, has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

 

Police were following up on over 100 leads related to the case and approached the man at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday at a home in Hawk Point, Missouri, a town about half way between the Alisa’s Louisiana, Missouri home where the abduction occurred and the carwash where she was eventually found.  The man was spray-painting his vehicle silver.  The police noticed he had a fire-arm and ordered him to drop his weapon.  The man then shot himself in the head and died several hours later at a local hospital.

 

The child’s relatives report that other than having her hair cut short to resemble a boy, Alisa was not injured or abused in any way.  The police have refused to comment on this issue.

 

Smith was convicted in 1995 of sodomizing a 10-year old boy and is on the states sex offender registry.  He also served time on charges of receiving stolen property and tampering with a motor vehicle registration. He was released from jail just a few weeks ago on drug charges.

 

Sources:

http://www.aolnews.com/crime/article/person-of-interest-in-kidnapping-of-missouri-girl-alisa-maier-shoots-himself/19546118

http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=206384&catid=3

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/07/08/missouri.abducted.child/index.html?hpt=Sbin

 

A 4-year old girl who was abducted from her Louisiana, Missouri front yard on Monday night was found alive at a car wash 80 miles from her home late Tuesday, approximately 24 hours after her disappearance.

 

Alisa Maier and her 5-year old brother were playing in their front yard when a four-door vehicle pulled up and an unknown male, possibly white in his late teens or early twenties, ordered the child into the car and drove off.  Alisa’s mother reportedly attempted pursuit of the kidnapper in her vehicle.

 

At about 10:15 p.m. CST Tuesday, witnesses at a Fenton, Missouri car wash reported seeing a black or brown sedan with an extremely loud muffler nearby, and shortly thereafter they saw the child walking in the area.  The authorities were called, and the girl was identified as Alisa Maier.  The child, who appeared tired, was taken to a hospital and was eventually reunited with her family.

 

Police have questioned known sex offenders in the area, but have yet to locate the suspect in this case.

 

Sources:

 

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/07/07/missouri.abducted.child/index.html?hpt=T1

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100707/ap_on_re_us/us_missing_girl_missouri

Summer is here and you have promised the kids a trip to a theme park.  Although you are looking forward to hours of fun with your children, you worry about how you are going to keep them safe while you are there.  With a little forethought and planning, you and your children can have a safe and enjoyable day at the amusement park.

 

Before you leave, update your InstantAmber profile.  In the event your child goes missing, law enforcement officials will have access to your child’s information at a moment’s notice.  Don’t let the belief “it won’t happen to me” get in the way of protecting your children.

 

Secondly, make a safety plan with your family before you leave.  Decide what you will do if you become separated, and make sure your older children have a park map with them.  Many theme park websites contain downloadable maps you can print at home. You may want to circle your meeting place on the map, and then locate it as soon as you get to the park so they know where to go.  Also familiarize them with the information centers, security areas, and medical facilities.  If your child carries a cell phone, make sure it is charged and that your numbers and the emergency numbers of the park are programmed.

 

You may also want to check Theme Park Insider’s Accident Watch website, a user-updated incident reporting page where you can find out safety issues at theme parks across the nation.  You can browse recent theme park accident reports or make a report of your own if you experience a safety issue during your visit. 

 

If you are traveling with several children of differing ages, you may want to use the “buddy system” - having an older child (at least thirteen years of age) hold hands and keep track of a younger sibling.  This should be used only as back up for direct parental supervision as even teenagers can get side tracked with the excitement of an amusement park.

 

Little ones are likely to need a stroller or to ride in a backpack, but they will inevitably want down to walk occasionally.  There are clever leash-like devices that can help you keep track of them without making them - or you - feel conspicuous, but there is really very little room for self-consciousness when it comes to the safety of your child. 

 

The following tips will help you keep your children and your possessions safe while you are having fun:

 

No running allowed!  Theme parks will be jammed with other tourists during your visit.  Allowing your children to run could jeopardize their safety and the safety of others around you.

 

Avoid excessive sun exposure. Your children should use sunscreen containing both UBA & UVB protectants and wear a hat.  Take frequent breaks out of the sun, and drink lots of water to avoid dehydration.

 

Follow the rules. Adhere to written, verbal and audio directions.  Do not attempt to cheat the height requirements.  Not only does this set a bad example, but the height requirement are there for your child’s safety and ignoring them could lead to serious injury or death.    Do not let your children sit or hang on ropes, chains and railings while waiting in line and instruct them to keep their bodies in the ride at all times. Assist them in fastening their safety harnesses.

 

Do not allow your child to go on a ride if he is unwell.  The ride won’t be fun for anyone if your child isn’t feeling well and could result in unfortunate accidents that could effect other park patrons.

 

Do not force your child to ride if he is afraid.  You might believe he will enjoy it if you make him give the ride a try, but people around you won’t appreciate it, and your child could endanger himself trying to leave the ride. 

 

Keep an eye on your belongings.  Becoming a theft victim will put a damper on your fun and could even prematurely end your day, especially if your wallet is stolen. Do not let your or your children’s possessions get away from you.

 

Watch your children. Accompany them to food lines, restrooms and gift shops. 

 

By following these tips, your trip to the theme park will be a safe and happy one for the entire family.  Take the time now to sign up for InstantAmber so you will be prepared in the event you have a child emergency during your next outing!

 

 

Sources:

 

Disney report on safety: http://a.dolimg.com/safety/Safety_Report.pdf

 

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/accidents/

We all want to raise polite, respectful and obedient kids.  We believe it is a reflection upon us if our children don’t treat people, adults in particular, with respect, and we feel personal satisfaction when we observe our children using these social skills.  But we don’t want our children to be polite at the expense of their own safety.   By teaching your children to be assertive, they can get themselves out of troubling situations without sacrificing manners.

 

Being polite doesn’t mean your child must endure unwanted touches or hugs from a friend or family member or to ignore their instincts when they encounter a person who makes them uncomfortable.  As child safety expert Patti Fitzgerald says, “Of course every parent wants to make sure they aren’t raising rude, obnoxious kids.  But it can be a dangerous message we give our children when we insist that they deny their instinct, and force them polite so that we, the parent, can save face.”  In fact, child safety expert Dr. Carla van Dam, a clinical and forensic psychologist who authored The Socially Skilled Child Molester: Differentiating the Guilty from the Falsely Accused, says that you may inadvertently elicit the attentions of a child predator by being too focused on politeness.  She states, “Child molesters gravitate to those people who are most likely to be too polite to fend them off...They seek out adults who worry about hurting people’s feelings.”

 

So how do we teach our kids to be assertive but not rude or aggressive?  Teaching assertiveness involves showing a child how to talk about what she wants - or doesn’t want - respectfully and confidently. They should understand the difference between aggressiveness (forceful or combative behavior), submissiveness (being meek) and assertiveness (standing up for oneself).  You can help them to understand this by role playing common situations  and teaching them, whether it is fending off an unwanted physical contact with a relative or getting out of a potentially dangerous situation,  how to say no.  Saying no can come in many forms:  making a joke, ignoring the suggestion, making an excuse (“My mom won’t allow me to do that”), leaving the situation, or just saying no firmly and repeating it if necessary.

 

Teach your child to use “I” statement, which are assertive, instead of “You” statements, which are aggressive.  For example, he should say “I don’t like it when you....” or “I feel uncomfortable when you...” to express how they feel.  They should make eye contact and speak clearly.  Make sure they understand they do not have to suffer through an experience for the sake of politeness or to retain someone’s affection or friendship.

 

One of the best ways to teach your child assertiveness is to model the behavior.  You will not have credibility with your child if you do not exhibit assertiveness yourself.  Find opportunities in your day to show your child assertiveness, whether it is showing dissatisfaction for services rendered at a store or disapproval of remarks made by others, so he can learn first hand from you how to behave.

 

In addition to teaching our children to be polite and respectful, we should also teach them the necessary social skills to be assertive and self-confident. This will help protect them against the attentions of a child predator as well as aid them in interactions with their peers.  If you model the behavior, your child is even more likely to gain the skills necessary to keep themselves safe.

 

 

Sources:

www.taalk.org

2009 NADE Pacific Regional Training Conference

Patti Fitzgerald, Safely Ever After, Inc.

http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Teaching/

By Leah Davies, M.Ed.http://www.kellybear.com/TeacherArticles/TeacherTip74.html

http://at-risk-youth-support.suite101.com/article.cfm/top_ten_refusal_skills_for_teens

Summer lends opportunities for parents to be out in public more often with their children going to movies, malls, amusement parks, museums, and many other exciting places.  When nature calls, keeping our kids safe in public restrooms is a concern, particularly when we are with children of the opposite gender from ourselves.

 

By the age of six or seven, your child will have the physical ability as well as the desire to go on his or her own, but it is not safe for your young children to go into a public restroom alone. You should always accompany your children to the restroom, even if it means getting the baby out of the high chair at the restaurant and taking him, along with your diapered three year old,  to the bathroom with your seven year old. Convenience never trumps the safety of your kids.

 

There generally isn’t a safety issue when parents go into public restrooms with their children of the same gender:  you make sure the restrooms are hygienic and that the children wash their hands thoroughly after going.  The problems arise when mom is out with the boys, dad is out with the girls or when one is a single parent.  The easiest way to solve this problem is to try to find a family restroom where everyone can go in at once.  Although these types of facilities are becoming more common, they are still not universally available.  If you can’t find one of these, try to find a single-stall facility - one where no one else will be in there with your child.  You can stand outside the door (instruct the child not to lock it in case they end up needing help) to make sure no one else goes inside.

 

In cases where you must use a multi-stall facility and your child requires assistance, use the one appropriate for your gender.   If dad is bringing his daughter into the men’s room, it is always a good idea to check first that no one is using a urinal.  If someone comes in while you are in the facility, ask them politely if they can wait a minute, and tell them why.  Your child’s safety is worth a little inconvenience and most people are not going to mind it.  Just make sure your children do not invade the privacy of others by peeking under stalls and between cracks in the doors while you are using the facilities yourself or assisting a smaller child.  Although some people might find this amusing, most will not. Good manners are important, even in a public restroom!

 

If your child does not require assistance, take him or her to the gender-appropriate facility.  Go with them if no one is in there.  If someone comes in, step outside the door and either talk to the child while they are in there if you can, or announce to the person going in that your child is in there and you’ll be waiting right outside the door for him or her to come out.  It is okay to let everyone know you are ready to protect if necessary.  If it is a very busy facility and you cannot go in, find another parent entering with children and let them know you are sending your son or daughter in alone while you stand outside to wait.  Most people understand the child/public bathroom problem and will be more than happy to lend a hand.

 

Before you leave home, think about what types of facilities are available at your destination(s) and plan accordingly.  Summer activities and travel, while fun and exciting, present unfamiliar situations and surroundings which pose challenges to child safety.  Take the opportunity to update your child’s profile with new photos and informational changes before you leave on your summer adventures; a little bit of forethought may just save your child. 

 

 

 

Sources:

 

http://childparenting.about.com/od/healthsafety/f/FAQrestroom.htm

 

http://hubpages.com/hub/Children--Public-Restrooms--and-Safety

 

http://www.ehow.com/how_2302965_teach-child-safety-public-bathrooms.html

Summer lends opportunities for parents to be out in public more often with their children going to movies, malls, amusement parks, museums, and many other exciting places.  When nature calls, keeping our kids safe in public restrooms is a concern, particularly when we are with children of the opposite gender from ourselves.

 

By the age of six or seven, your child will have the physical ability as well as the desire to go on his or her own, but it is not safe for your young children to go into a public restroom alone. You should always accompany your children to the restroom, even if it means getting the baby out of the high chair at the restaurant and taking him, along with your diapered three year old,  to the bathroom with your seven year old. Convenience never trumps the safety of your kids.

 

There generally isn’t a safety issue when parents go into public restrooms with their children of the same gender:  you make sure the restrooms are hygienic and that the children wash their hands thoroughly after going.  The problems arise when mom is out with the boys, dad is out with the girls or when one is a single parent.  The easiest way to solve this problem is to try to find a family restroom where everyone can go in at once.  Although these types of facilities are becoming more common, they are still not universally available.  If you can’t find one of these, try to find a single-stall facility - one where no one else will be in there with your child.  You can stand outside the door (instruct the child not to lock it in case they end up needing help) to make sure no one else goes inside.

 

In cases where you must use a multi-stall facility and your child requires assistance, use the one appropriate for your gender.   If dad is bringing his daughter into the men’s room, it is always a good idea to check first that no one is using a urinal.  If someone comes in while you are in the facility, ask them politely if they can wait a minute, and tell them why.  Your child’s safety is worth a little inconvenience and most people are not going to mind it.  Just make sure your children do not invade the privacy of others by peeking under stalls and between cracks in the doors while you are using the facilities yourself or assisting a smaller child.  Although some people might find this amusing, most will not. Good manners are important, even in a public restroom!

 

If your child does not require assistance, take him or her to the gender-appropriate facility.  Go with them if no one is in there.  If someone comes in, step outside the door and either talk to the child while they are in there if you can, or announce to the person going in that your child is in there and you’ll be waiting right outside the door for him or her to come out.  It is okay to let everyone know you are ready to protect if necessary.  If it is a very busy facility and you cannot go in, find another parent entering with children and let them know you are sending your son or daughter in alone while you stand outside to wait.  Most people understand the child/public bathroom problem and will be more than happy to lend a hand.

 

Before you leave home, think about what types of facilities are available at your destination(s) and plan accordingly.  Summer activities and travel, while fun and exciting, present unfamiliar situations and surroundings which pose challenges to child safety.  Take the opportunity to update your child’s profile with new photos and informational changes before you leave on your summer adventures; a little bit of forethought may just save your child. 

 

 

 

Sources:

 

http://childparenting.about.com/od/healthsafety/f/FAQrestroom.htm

 

http://hubpages.com/hub/Children--Public-Restrooms--and-Safety

 

http://www.ehow.com/how_2302965_teach-child-safety-public-bathrooms.html

The dog days of summer are upon us and many of us are taking our families to the beach for a much needed respite from work, school and the frantic pace of day camps.  Although you look forward to many days of fun in the sun with your children, prevention of injury and safety should always be in the forefront of your mind.  InstantAmber recommends reviewing the following safety tips before you leave home:

 

Choose a beach that has a lifeguard on duty. The chance of drowning if a lifeguard is present is only 1 in 18 million!  Deserted or private beaches are nice in concept, but if you are with your children, it makes sense to go to a safe beach where lifeguards are present.

 

Supervise your children at all times.  No matter what age you child is, they need supervision by their parent.  Even older children can exercise poor judgment at times, so be there to protect them from injury and from people who intend them harm.  Lifeguards ensure safety of the beaches; you ensure the safety of your own child.

 

Don’t swim with the “dumpers.”  A dumper is a deceptively strong plunging wave that can drive your child’s body into a shallow sand bar and cause serious injury.  They might look like fun, but they should be avoided.

 

Don’t swim during a riptide. Eighty percent of lifeguard rescues are due to riptides.  A riptide occurs when water moves over the sand bars toward the beach then is pulled by gravity back to the sea along the channels between the sand bars.  If there is a riptide, lifeguards will post a flag that is red on the top and yellow on the bottom.  Don’t let your child get in the water when this flag is flying! Instruct your child before they go into the water that if they should get caught in a riptide, do not panic and do not try to swim toward the shore.  A riptide moves at 8 knots - faster than an Olympic swimmer can swim, so your child will not be able to swim through it.  Instead, he should go with the riptide and it will slowly take him across the beach.  He should raise his hand to signal the lifeguard that he is in trouble.

 

Find out from the lifeguard if there are any shark sightings before you enter the water.  Although you are more likely to get in a car accident on your way to the beach than to even see a shark, it doesn’t hurt to make sure they are not present when your kids are swimming.  Sharks don’t intentionally attack people.  Attacks happen when a shark mistakes a human for a seal or fish.  If sharks are present, the lifeguard will usually sound an alarm.  Instruct your child that if they hear a siren to come ashore immediately.  Don’t let your child wear shiny jewelry in the water as it may attract sharks, and they should avoid the water if they have a bloody injury.  Click here for more tips on avoiding shark attacks.

 

Avoid the jellyfish!  Check with the lifeguard before your child enters the water to see if there are jellyfish present.  Instruct your child not to touch or attempt to pick up a jellyfish.  Their sting is painful, but not life threatening.

 

Be attentive to water quality.  Poor water quality can lead to gastrointestinal illness, ear infection, and on rare occasions, more serious sickness.  Federal law requires communities to test water, but it is difficult to determine when the testing will occur.  A good practice is to avoid beach swimming after a heavy rainfall when water is likely to contain higher levels of contaminants and runoff.

 

Recent concerns about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill have compelled beach communities across the south east to post updates on the water safety of their beaches.  The city of Destin, Florida, for example, has an oil spill page containing information and useful links. The Center for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency are communicating and collecting water samples from the affected areas to determine public health risks. Click here for detailed information on water testing from the EPA.

 

Apply sunscreen liberally and often.  The dangers of overexposure to the sun are well documented.  Kids need protection from both UVA and UVB rays, so purchase a sunscreen containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide with an SPF of 15 or higher.  They should wear hats and sunglasses with an SPF in the lenses when they are not in the water, especially during ten o’clock and three o’clock, the part of the day when the strongest rays are present.

 

Don’t become a theft victim.  Watch your possessions!  Theft from vehicles is common, so bring only the necessary items of value with you to the beach and be careful with them once you get there.  Thieves target tourists who leave valuables in their car or laying on their beach towels, so only leave items you won’t miss if they are taken.  Lock everything else in your trunk and park your car in a lighted central area.

 

 

 

 

Sources:

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/beach-safety-101

http://travel.ninemsn.com.au/holidaytype/kidsfamily/654366/beach-safety-for-kids

http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/water.html

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/oil_spill/information_residents.htm#5 http://www.cityofdestin.com/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=Oil%20Spill%20Information%20Page&category=OIL%20SPILL

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/kids/avoid/avoid.htm

http://www.beachhunter.net/thingstoknow/beachsafety/index.htm

 

Ever since our children were born, we have made every attempt to provide a safe home environment for them.  We bought the safety gates and the cabinet door latches.  We made sure the crib met standard safety guidelines and that we didn’t put anything in it that could potentially harm the baby.  We moved dangerous items to a higher shelf in the living room to prevent them injuring themselves. 

 

But as our children grow up, it is natural and necessary that we give them a little more leeway to explore their world.  We let them play outdoors, ride their bikes, and eventually walk down the street to see their friends.  Exploring the neighborhood is an exciting rite of passage for many children.  Before you allow your child this freedom, InstantAmber recommends you take the extra step and check your neighborhood and surrounding area, including your children’s school zip code, for the presence of child molesters and sex offenders.

 

Studies show that child molesters have a recidivism (repeat offenses by a convicted criminal) rate of 10 to 29 percent with female victims and 13 to 40 percent with male victims.  This recidivism rate is more than likely under-estimated because they reflect only the number of sex offenders convicted, punished, then released back into the general community.  The majority of sex offenses are never reported, thus never prosecuted or subsequently counted in these figures.

 

There are many websites on the internet where you can check your neighborhood for child molesters and sex offenders.  Here are two comprehensive sites:

 

The United States Department of Justice Sex Offender Public Website:

http://www.nsopw.gov/Core/Conditions.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

 

Family Watchdog Website:

http://www.familywatchdog.us/Search.asp

 

Both of these websites allow you to search by location (street, city, state, zip code) and by the name of the offender.   Listings generally include the name, photographs and physical description of the offender, the type of offense committed, the age of the victim and the offender’s physical address.  On the U.S. Justice Department website, you must click on “advanced search” to find offenders by location.  You will have to agree to their terms of use and enter a security code to access this information.

 

Individual states also have sex offender registries.  Simply google “[Your State] sex offender registry” and you can check your state’s registry as well for any additional offender information.  We at InstantAmber urge you to take these steps today to keep your children safe and to protect them from danger that might be lurking in your neighborhood.

 

Sources:

 

http://www.leadershipcouncil.org/1/res/rcd.html

 

http://www.familywatchdog.us/staysafe.asp

 

http://www.nsopw.gov/Core/Conditions.aspx

 

http://www.sexoffender.com/sorecidivism_review.html

The level of computer access our children have today is unprecedented. In the U.S., more than 35,000,000 children from kindergarten to 12 grade have internet access and it is estimated that 80 percent of U.S. children grades 5-12 spend at least one hour per week on the internet, forty-one percent of whom do not tell their parents what they are seeing and doing.  For this reason, the U.S. Senate has designated June National Internet Safety Month in an effort to provide citizens with the opportunity to learn more about and raise awareness of the dangers of the internet and the importance of being safe and responsible online.

 

The reality is that our children are going to have more access to computers over time as many schools promote - and require - the use of computers in their curriculum. The internet is a powerful tool in the learning process, one that most parents and educators are not willing to withhold.  It has also become an important social outlet for our children through various social networking sites, chat rooms and now video chatting sites such as Skype and Chatroulette.

With these benefits come the dangers, however.  The internet has become a playground for identity thieves, scam artists, hackers, bullies and sexual predators.  The best way to protect your children is to initiate a conversation about internet safety and to clearly communicate your family’s values and expectations. It is never too soon to have an open and honest conversation even with your youngest children.  If they are using a computer, it is time to have a discussion.  Become their authority on the topic of internet safety.

Make sure your kids understand that the World Wide Web is vast but not anonymous, and that they are accountable for what they do out there.  You should also impress upon them in a matter-of-fact way that there are people out in cyber space who have bad intentions toward them and they must vigilantly avoid these encounters.  You should discuss inappropriate content they might come across and what to do with it.

Young children should always be closely supervised while they use the computer.  You may want to restrict their usage only to sites of which you approve.  They should understand it is against the rules to share personal information with anyone they encounter online, including their real name, address, phone number or passwords.  You should help them create online nicknames which do not give away any personal information for websites that encourage Web content personalization.  Use pop-up blockers to help protect against offensive pop-up windows.

During the “tween” years (8-12), you will want to keep the computer in a communal area where you can observe online activity, but still give the child a sense of independence.  Consider using filtering and monitoring tools at this age and limiting computer time.   They should understand that not all information they find on the internet is true.  Help them to determine what sources are reputable.

Limiting your teenagers’ internet usage is going to be difficult because they have a higher level of access.  Most teens are required to use the internet at some level to do their school work and many own cell phones with an internet account.  In addition, they spend a lot more time on their own as the need for parental supervision decreases. 

The important point to impress upon your teenager is using good judgment in accessing and disseminating information via the internet.  The following will help you guide your teen safely through their online activity:

 

Set internet rules as a family that outline off-limits sites, how long and during what hours they can be online, what sort of information should not be shared and guidelines for online communications, including social networking.

Keep computers with internet connections in a communal area.  Consider taking down the wireless network at night to discourage night time usage in the bedroom.

Consider internet-filtering tools and pop-up blockers.  This is trickier with teenagers because most of them are tech-savvy enough to disable these tools and blockers if they want, so a better approach may be to have a continuing dialogue about what sites are appropriate and which are to be avoided.

Know which websites your teen visits and to whom they talk, even if you have to ask them to let you see their computer history.

Let them know it is not permitted to meet an online friend in person.

They should know to engage in Peer-2-Peer file sharing of music, games or software very carefully.  If done improperly, your teen could be violating copyright laws or inadvertently exposing your computer to spyware, malware (software that monitors or controls your computer use, installs viruses, or can be used to send unwanted pop-up ads, redirect your computer to websites, or record your keystrokes)or pornography.

Make sure your teens understand that they must behave ethically and responsibly online and should not spread gossip or engage in cyber-bullying.  If they become a victim of cyber-bullying, encourage them not to respond and to save the evidence in case you need to get school officials or local law enforcement involved.  A good resource to help teens understand and combat cyber-bullying is www.cyberbully411.org.

Talk to your teen about online sex talk, “sexting” and posting inappropriate photos and information about themselves or other people.  They need to understand that once they post something, they cannot take it back, even if they remove the information from a site.  What they post could damage their reputation, the reputation of others as well as potentially compromise their candidacy for college entrance or a job opportunity, since many employers and colleges now check applicants’ Facebook and MySpace pages for information.

Monitor your children’s social networking sites regularly.  This is not spying; it is simply another avenue for you as a parent to keep your children safe.  You may consider requiring them to “friend” you on their social networking sites.

Your teen should always check with you before executing an online financial      transaction of any kind.

Online gambling is illegal for teens, and they should hear the risks and potential    consequences from you.

 

InstantAmber wants your child to have a safe internet experience.  By reviewing these safety issues with even your youngest child, you could be protecting your children from the unintended consequences of internet usage.

 

Sources

 

http://www.businessinsider.com/2008/9/22-of-employers-check-your-facebook-profile-when-they-re-looking-to-hire-you-that-s-it-

 

http://www.microsoft.com/protect/parents/childsafety/age.aspx

 

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:sr205ats.txt.pdf

 

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:S.RES.205:

 

http://www.onguardonline.gov/pdf/tec04.pdf

 

http://www.ncjrs.gov/internetsafety/

 

http://cyberbully411.org/

School is out for summer and we are all ready to get out of town, blow off a little steam and relax with our families at destinations far and wide.  In order to ensure a safe trip, InstantAmber suggests the following safety tips while traveling with your children:

 

 

Before you leave, be sure to update your children’s profiles on InstantAmber and upload current high-resolution photographs. Should your child go missing during your trip, your child’s information will be available to law enforcement officials from anywhere at anytime. 

                             

If you are traveling by plane, make sure you allow plenty of time at the airport for baggage check-in and security.  Many airlines are reducing airline schedules and flying fuller flights, so lines are long.  Getting through security with small children can be time-consuming and aggravating.  You will have to put all of your child’s belongings through the X-ray machine, including strollers and car seats.  You will be allowed to carry on baby formula, juices, food and breast milk in “reasonable quantities” exceeding the 3.4 ounce standard limitation, but you will have to declare it and have in inspected.  Allow extra time for these contingencies.

 

Although many airlines allow lap children under the age of two, the Federal Aviation Administration recommends that all children be secured in their own seat in an approved child restraint system appropriate for their age and weight.   If you are unable to buy your child his or her own seat, attempt to select a flight that is likely to have empty seats.  Many airlines allow passengers to occupy unused seats.  If your child has a chronic medical condition or has recently had an ear infection or surgery, consult your pediatrician before flying.

 

If you are traveling internationally, your child’s vaccinations should be up to date, and you should also determine if you need any additional inoculations. Check the Center for Disease Control website for any travel health warnings you should know about before you leave. You should also consider whether or not cribs meeting current safety standards will be available once you get there.  Finally, register your travel plans with the State Department (https://travelregistration.state.gov) so they can better assist you if you have a crisis while you are there. Check the U.S. Department of State website for additional tips on travel abroad.

 

Traveling by car with children has become easier with the advent of built-in DVD players, iPods, and hand-held electronic games, but we still need to pay attention to standard safety rules of the car:  everyone must wear a seat belt or be in an age-appropriate car seat.  Until your child is about 4’9” tall (usually between 8 and 12 years of age) he must be in a booster or car seat. Your pre-teen may think he or she is big enough to sit in the front seat, but it is not recommended until age 13.

 

There is always the temptation to allow a child to unbelt quickly when they want to grab a drink from the back or get another game to play.  It takes only a split second to get into an accident, and that quick drink is not going to be worth it should your child get injured while momentarily unbuckled.  Stop frequently to prevent the “wiggles” and allow your children to get regrouped and refreshed.

 

Do not leave your child unattended in a car even for a minute.  Temperatures inside a car can reach life-threatening levels even on relatively mild days (~70 degrees) in a very short period of time.  Lowering the windows does not slow the heating process to any significant degree. 

 

Vacations are an exciting and highly anticipated summer event. With a little extra forethought, you can provide a safer and happier experience for your children.

 

 

 

 

Sources:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm

http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/travelsafetytips.cfm

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html

http://ggweather.com/heat/

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/116/1/e109

School is out for summer and we are all ready to get out of town, blow off a little steam and relax with our families at destinations far and wide.  In order to ensure a safe trip, InstantAmber suggests the following safety tips while traveling with your children:

 

 

Before you leave, be sure to update your children’s profiles on InstantAmber and upload current high-resolution photographs. Should your child go missing during your trip, your child’s information will be available to law enforcement officials from anywhere at anytime. 

                             

If you are traveling by plane, make sure you allow plenty of time at the airport for baggage check-in and security.  Many airlines are reducing airline schedules and flying fuller flights, so lines are long.  Getting through security with small children can be time-consuming and aggravating.  You will have to put all of your child’s belongings through the X-ray machine, including strollers and car seats.  You will be allowed to carry on baby formula, juices, food and breast milk in “reasonable quantities” exceeding the 3.4 ounce standard limitation, but you will have to declare it and have in inspected.  Allow extra time for these contingencies.

 

Although many airlines allow lap children under the age of two, the Federal Aviation Administration recommends that all children be secured in their own seat in an approved child restraint system appropriate for their age and weight.   If you are unable to buy your child his or her own seat, attempt to select a flight that is likely to have empty seats.  Many airlines allow passengers to occupy unused seats.  If your child has a chronic medical condition or has recently had an ear infection or surgery, consult your pediatrician before flying.

 

If you are traveling internationally, your child’s vaccinations should be up to date, and you should also determine if you need any additional inoculations. Check the Center for Disease Control website for any travel health warnings you should know about before you leave. You should also consider whether or not cribs meeting current safety standards will be available once you get there.  Finally, register your travel plans with the State Department (https://travelregistration.state.gov) so they can better assist you if you have a crisis while you are there. Check the U.S. Department of State website for additional tips on travel abroad.

 

Traveling by car with children has become easier with the advent of built-in DVD players, iPods, and hand-held electronic games, but we still need to pay attention to standard safety rules of the car:  everyone must wear a seat belt or be in an age-appropriate car seat.  Until your child is about 4’9” tall (usually between 8 and 12 years of age) he must be in a booster or car seat. Your pre-teen may think he or she is big enough to sit in the front seat, but it is not recommended until age 13.

 

There is always the temptation to allow a child to unbelt quickly when they want to grab a drink from the back or get another game to play.  It takes only a split second to get into an accident, and that quick drink is not going to be worth it should your child get injured while momentarily unbuckled.  Stop frequently to prevent the “wiggles” and allow your children to get regrouped and refreshed.

 

Do not leave your child unattended in a car even for a minute.  Temperatures inside a car can reach life-threatening levels even on relatively mild days (~70 degrees) in a very short period of time.  Lowering the windows does not slow the heating process to any significant degree. 

 

Vacations are an exciting and highly anticipated summer event. With a little extra forethought, you can provide a safer and happier experience for your children.

 

 

 

Sources:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm

http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/travelsafetytips.cfm

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html

http://ggweather.com/heat/

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/116/1/e109

 

Discussing child protection issues with your child, particularly difficult and scary ones such as sexual abuse or abduction, can be a daunting predicament for many parents.  It is not something we look forward to doing, but at the same time we all recognize its importance and necessity.   There are many ways to approach these discussions with your children, but one of the easiest ways of doing so is to pick up a book and read with them.

 

There are a multitude of books written specifically for children that address issues of physical and emotional safety.  There are truly few safety issues out there about which you cannot find a book to begin a topic of conversation with your child.  The majority of these books are directed at pre-teens and younger with an emphasis on four to nine year olds, which indicates the importance of having these conversations with your children when they are young. Many of the books directed at teenagers deal with issues of sexual abuse, dating concerns and internet safety.

 

The following is a list of noteworthy publications written for children and teens. (InstantAmber recommends that you always review your book choices for content that is appropriate for your family. 

 

I Can Be Safe: A First Look At Safety (Series) by Pat Thomas

For the younger audiences, this is an easy to understand book which gives advice on physical safety (looking both ways, wearing special gear for sports, knowing important information such as phone numbers and addresses) and emotional safety.  It comes with a parent guide and a list of resources.

 

Your Body Belongs to You by Cornelia Maude Spelman

For children three to six years of age, this book is positive and assertive without being frightening.  It defines private parts (“the places on your body covered by a bathing suit”) and discusses that it is your child’s right to decide when and by whom he or she is to be touched.  Parents are urged to trust their child’s instincts and concerns regarding unwanted touching.

 

The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers (First Time Books) by Stan Berenstain

Lovable and familiar characters teach kids about safe conduct with strangers.  Mama Bear discourages stereotyping people based on how they look by using an apple analogy.  It also gives safety rules, including one about the privacy of one’s body.

 

A Very Touching Book - For Little People and For Big People by Jan Hindman

Provides sexual abuse knowledge in a non-threatening manner. Avoiding scare tactics, the author encourages a “partnership of safety” between children and their parents.

 

Watch Out! (Series) by Claire Llewellyn

This series includes the books Watch Out! On the Road, Watch Out! Around Town, Watch Out! At Home and Watch Out! Near Water and contain brief, clearly written passages directed a younger children.

 

My Space Safety:  51 Tips for Teens and Parents by Kevin M. Farnham

Provides a common sense approach for teens and parents for minimizing risk of exposure to predators when using MySpace.  The tips can be applied to other social networking website.

 

Living with the Internet and Online Dangers by Corey Sandler

Discusses the risks and problems associated with using the Web and what teens can do to protect themselves.

 

Teen Dating Violence: Awareness + Intervention = Prevention by Tony Newsom

Defines teen dating violence, its prevalence in our society and what is being done to reduce it.  Includes a chapter of newsworthy stories that help your teens learn what they can do to stay safe.  Each story is followed up by a questionnaire to help the reader understand and remember what they have learned.

 

Invisible Girls:  The Truth about Sexual Abuse--A Book for Teen Girls, Young Women, and Everyone Who Cares About Them by Patti Feuereisen

Includes personal narratives to establish a general discussion about sexual abuse of girls and young women.  The author includes issues such as incest, abuse by teachers and clergy and different kinds of rape.  The writing is detailed and frank without being gratuitous.  Intended for a high school audience.

 

Discussing these sensitive topics with your children is never going to be easy, but it is important that you do so sooner rather than later.  InstantAmber hopes you make it your goal this summer to read with your children and help them learn the skills needed to keep themselves safe from danger and abuse.

 

Identity theft is when someone obtains and uses your personal information (name, Social Security number, credit card number, etc.) without your permission and uses it to commit fraud and other crimes.  I.D. thieves are rarely caught and thus almost never arrested or convicted.  It is very difficult, time consuming and potentially expensive for the victim to repair the damage caused by I.D. theft.

 

As difficult as I.D. theft is to catch or correct, it is very easy to commit.  I.D. thieves use many tactics, including: digging through trash bins for documents containing sensitive information; stealing your credit card number with data storage devices while skimming your credit card at a store; “phishing” - attempting to acquire your personal information by posing as  a legitimate entity via electronic communications; by stealing your mail, your purse or wallet and even your personnel file from your employer; and by “pretexting” - getting your sensitive information from you by pretending to be someone from a legitimate office, then using that information to obtain your account information from your financial institutions.  Pretexting usually requires some forethought and research on the victim, such as obtaining a birth date or mother’s maiden name before calling.

 

Security breaches allow I.D. thieves to steal thousands of identities at a time.  A security breach occurs when a hacker or employee steals personal information (social security numbers, dates of birth, medical information, credit/debit card numbers, etc.) from an information storage system either in electronic or paper format.  Some recent high profile cases include two major insurance companies where upwards of 900,000 policy holders’ personal information was compromised.

 

Even children are at risk for identity theft, usually by a parent, but increasingly by strangers who target children because of the lengthy time between the theft and the discovery of the crime. Often the theft isn’t discovered until the child becomes an adult and attempts to get a college loan or a credit card.  Years have passed, and it is very difficult if not impossible to correct the problem, so prevention of child I.D. theft is becoming increasingly more important.  InstantAmber recommends occasionally running your child’s credit report.  If they find no record, that is good news.

 

There are four things you must do if your identity is stolen:

 

Place a Fraud Alert on your credit report by calling one of the three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian).  You need only notify one; they must notify all the others for you.  Request and carefully review your credit report for fraud.

Close all the accounts you believe are compromised or opened fraudulently.  Make sure you follow up with the companies in writing by certified mail return receipt requested and file an ID Theft Affidavit on any unauthorized charges or accounts you detect.

File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.  This will help the FTC in locating I.D. thieves and developing I.D. theft prevention tactics.

File a police report with your local police or the police in the community in which the theft took place.  Give them a copy of your ID Theft Affidavit and any other supporting documentation you have.

 

There are several ways you can protect yourself from I.D. theft.  First and most importantly is to vigilantly protect your personal information. Your social security number is a key element in stealing your identity.  Do not give it up lightly.  You are not required to give your social security number to most businesses, including private insurance companies.  (There are exceptions:  if it is required by federal law or if your insurance company is filing a Medicaid or Medicare claim for you.) Shred sensitive documents. Don’t view private documents in public places on wireless networks. Be careful with your wallet or purse.

 

Secondly, monitor your financial information regularly. Examine your credit card statement for unauthorized charges.  Run a credit report each year and carefully review it for fraud. Save your receipts in a safe place in case you need them to dispute fraudulent activity. Proactively ensure the safety of your identity!

 

If your identity is stolen, act quickly to stop potential fraud. Time is of the essence when you need to mitigate damage done by identity thieves. The Identity Theft Resource Center will assist you free of charge if you are having difficulty.

 

Just as we protect our children and our possessions, we need to protect our identities.  InstantAmber recommends vigilantly protecting your sensitive information, monitoring your financial information regularly and acting quickly if you suspect fraud in effort to stop the multi-billion dollar identity theft industry.  Take advantage of InstantAmber's relationship with America's leader in ID Theft protection, LifeLock, by signing up today at www.lifelock.com/

 

Sources:

 

Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov)

Identity Theft Resource Center (www.idtheftcenter.org)

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (www.privacyrights.org)

Identity Theft 911 (www.identitytheft991.org)