The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) encourages people to be alert and report suspicious situations regarding missing and exploited children.
NCMEC teaches children to seek out low risk adults if they become separated from their parent or guardian and need assistance. These individuals are identified as a uniformed law-enforcement or security officer, a store salesperson wearing a nametag, an information booth emloyee wearing a nametag, or a mother with children.
But what if you’re a regular citizen? Use the tips noted below if you see a child who appears lost.
- Don’t be afraid to get involved.
- Comfort the child but use restraint in physically touching the child.
- If the child is able to speak, ask if they’re lost or where their mother/father is.
- Refrain from requesting too much personal information, since children are taught not to give out this information to people they don’t know.
- If you have a cellular phone, contact authorities and report the incident.
- Try to find someone nearby in a position of authority who can assist.
- Do not take the child far from the immediate location.
- Do not put the child in your car and drive off seeking help.
- Ask passers-by to assist.
- Wait with the child until help arrives.
The information above is reprinted from NCMEC's website.
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Check out all the Safety Saturdays posts for more safety tips.
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