Expectant parents
Personnel in healthcare facilities should remind parents , in a warm and comforting way, of the measures they should take to provide maximum child protection. The guidelines listed below provide good, sound parenting techniques that can also help prevent abduction of infants while in the healthcare facility where the baby was born and once the parents take the baby home. They should be shared with expectant parents at prenatal visits, during the tour of the facility pre-delivery, and during the parents stay at the time of birth. Please note that in many cases of infant abduction, the abductor was bilingual while the victim mother was not. Healthcare facilities need to provide multilingual-educational information to these parents because infants risk levels of abduction are substantially elevated when parents are not properly educated in their native language about the safety issues involved. The Spanish-language version of these prevention tips is also available, and healthcare facilities should consider translating these tips into any other languages used by patients in their service area.
FACILITY 1.
At some point before the birth of your baby, investigate security procedures at the facility where you plan to give birth to your baby and request a copy of the facilitys written guidelines on procedures for special care and security procedures in the maternity ward. Know all of the facilitys procedures that are in place to safeguard your infant while staying in that facility.
FACILITY 2.
While it is normal for new parents to be anxious, being deliberately watchful over the newborn infant is of paramount importance.
FACILITY 3.
Never leave your infant out of your direct line-of-sight even when you go to the restroom or take a nap. If you leave the room or plan to go to sleep, alert the nurses to take the Infant back to the nursery or have a family member watch the baby. When possible, keep the infants bassinet on the side of your bed that is away from the door(s) leading out of the room.
FACILITY 4.
After admission to the facility, ask about the facilitys protocols concerning the routine nursery procedures, feeding and visitation hours, and security measures. Do not hesitate to politely ask direct questions and settle for nothing less than an acceptable explanation.
FACILITY 5.
Do not give your infant to anyone without properly verified identification as issued by that facility. Find out what additional or special identification is being worn to further identify facility personnel who have authority to transport the infant. Speak to a person in authority, such as a unit director or charge nurse, if you have any questions or concerns.
What Parents Need to Know
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FACILITY 6.
Become familiar with the staff who work in the maternity unit. During short stays in the facility, ask to be introduced to the nurse assigned to you and your infant.
FACILITY 7.
Question unfamiliar persons entering your room or inquiring about your infanteven if they are in the facilitys attire or seem to have a reason for being there. Alert the nurses station immediately.
FACILITY 8.
Determine where your infant will be when taken for tests, and how long the tests will take. Find out who has authorized the tests. If you are uncomfortable with anyone who requests to take your infant or unable to clarify what testing is being done or why your infant is being taken from your room, it is appropriate to go with your infant to observe the procedure. Or if you are unable to accompany your infant, have a family member go along.
FACILITY 9.
For your records to take home, have at least one color photograph of your infant (full, front-face view) taken along with footprints and compile a complete written description of your infant including hair and eye color, length, weight, date of birth, and specific physical characteristics.
FACILITY/HOME 10.
At some point after the birth of your baby, but before discharge from the facility, request a set of written guidelines on the procedures for any followup care extended by the facility that will be scheduled to take place in your home. Do not allow anyone into your home who says that he or she is affiliated with the facility without properly verified identification as issued by that facility. Find out what additional or special identification is being worn to further identify those staff members who have authority to enter your home.
FACILITY/HOME 11.
Consider the risk you may be taking when permitting your infants birth announcement to be published in the newspaper or online. Birth announcements should never include the familys home address and be limited to the parents surname(s). In general, birth announcements in newspapers are not endorsed by most experts.
HOME 12.
The use of outdoor decorations to announce the infants arrival such as balloons, large floral wreaths, wooden storks, and other lawn ornaments are not recommended because they call attention to the presence of a new infant in the home.
HOME 13.
Only allow persons into your home who are well-known by the mother. It is ill advised to allow anyone into your home who is just a mere or recent acquaintance, especially if met briefly since you became pregnant or gave birth to your infant. There have been several cases where an abductor has made initial contact with a mother and infant in the healthcare-facility setting and then subsequently abducted the infant from the family home. If anyone should arrive at the home claiming to be affiliated with the healthcare facility where the infant was born or other healthcare provider, remember to follow the procedures outlined in number 10 above. A high degree of diligence should be exercised by family members when home with the infant. The bottom line is, the infants family is the domestic security team, and all family members should be sensitive to any suspicious visitors. In addition there have been cases in which initial contact with a mother and infant was made in other settings such as shopping malls or bus stations. If you must take your infant out, whenever possible, take a trusted friend or family member with you as an extra set of hands and eyes to protect and constantly observe the infant. Never leave a child alone in a motor vehicle. Always take the child with you. Never let someone you dont know pick up or hold your child.
These tips are excerpted from For Healthcare Professionals: Guidelines on Prevention of
and Response to Infant Abductions.
Copyright © 2003 National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. All rights reserved.
Charles B. Wang International Childrens Building
699 Prince Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3175
U.S.A.
Telephone number 703-274-3900
Facsimile number 703-274-2200
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Child safety tips
You ask yourself, as a parent, whether you are doing all you can to keep your children safe. Tougher laws may help, but parents and children will always have to bear the greatest responsibility for their own protection. Simple rules like, never talk to strangers are inadequate and can be misleading. Most cases of abuse or abduction involve someone the child knows, a family member, a neighbor, or someone who has befriended them. Scaring a child by talking about the awful things that can happen is definitely the wrong approach. Fear can be counter-productive, possibly even harmful. A good safety program will provide children with important information and skills. It will foster self-confidence and teach children to trust their own feelings and instincts.
Children need to know they are special and deserve to feel safe.
PARENTS
Set an example of good safety habits for your child. For instance, when away, tell your children how long you will be gone and where you can be reached.
Allow your children to talk freely about themselves and their feelings. Children who are listened to, and have their needs met in the home, are less vulnerable to abuse or exploitation.
Talk about sex and sexuality. A naive child is more vulnerable to predators.
Know your childrens friends and their parents. Keep lists of their phone numbers and addresses.
Know your neighbors. Teach your children where they can go and which neighbors they can seek out if they feel threatened.
If there is a Block Parent or similar program in your community, your child should be able to recognize the placard or sign that indicates a safe house.
Know how your child's day care center, youth organization, or school screens its personnel.
Know the times and route(s) your child travels to and from school or activities.
Make sure your child does not wear articles of clothing with his name visible on them. The knowledge of a childs name can be used to gain his confidence or put him off guard.
Raise your child with a strong sense of self-respect and with good self-esteem. Predators are looking for the lonely child who is hungry for attention.
What parents and children need to know...
PRESCHOOLERS
A preschooler should always be under the supervision and protection of a responsible adult.
The preschooler should know:
Full name, address (including city and state), and phone number (including area code.)
How to make a phone call, including how to dial 911.
What private parts are (places covered by a bathing suit). A child needs to be able to tell the difference between an Okay touch and a Not Okay touch.
Low risk adults to approach when lost or afraid might be a police officer in uniform, store cashiers, a pregnant woman or a woman with children.
Always ask a parents permission before accepting candy or gifts, or going somewhere with anyone.
Understand that its okay to tell a parent or a trusted adult if anyone hurts them or tries to make them keep a secret.
SIX TO TEN YEARS OLD
As children get older they want more freedom and responsibility. Grant privileges only when you are confident your child is ready. Dont let your child get into a situation he or she is not ready to handle. Keep reviewing the rules. Use What if? scenarios to check to see if your child knows what to do in risky situations.
The older child should know:
Always use the BUDDY SYSTEM and never go places alone. Predators usually focus on the loners.
CHECK FIRST! Always let someone know where they are going.
Never get into a car or go with a person unless a parent has given permission. Keep a safe distance (10 ft.) from a car with someone in it.
Its okay to be suspicious of adults who seem too friendly. The safe thing to do is to say NO!, then Go and Tell someone.
Tell a parent or a trusted adult if anyone offers gifts, money, or a job; if someone wants to take their picture; if someone tries to make them keep a secret.
Predators use tricks to lure children. For instance, a child should know that grown-ups do not need to ask children for directions, or for help finding something like a puppy or kitten.
Know the family password. Dont go with anyone that doesnt know the password.
If home alone when answering the phone, never say that a parent isnt there. Dont open the door if someone knocks or rings the bell. Children should know who to call if they are scared or need help.
If threatened by someone, loudly yell NO! Screaming and attracting lots of attention is one of the most effective things a child can do in a frightening situation.
If a child feels threatened or is being followed, the child should run to a safe house, or a store, or somewhere where there are a lot of people.
Children should trust their instincts. If a situation doesnt feel right, yell, get away and seek help.
A child shouldnt keep secrets. When problems are too big to handle, talk about them with a trusted adult. If that person wont listen, find one who will listen.
PRETEENS AND TEENS
As a child matures keep going over the rules. As they grow older, they will want more freedom and privileges. This is natural, however before granting increased freedom, a parent should be comfortable with the childs ability to follow the rules of safety as well as to demonstrate the maturity to use good judgment.
Preteens and teens should know:
Basic rules still apply, such as always using the buddy system and always letting someone know where you are.
Children are still vulnerable to predators and should recognize the various lures or cons these people use to prey on them.
Naivete about sex and sexuality makes a person more vulnerable to sexual advances by predators.
When out in public be aware of what is going on around them in order to avoid dangerous situations.
Drugs and alcohol can affect judgment and make a person more vulnerable to being exploited.
Things can be replaced, people cannot. If someone on the street is threatening or demands money or property, the safe thing to do is to give it to that person.
Safety tips from the Polly Kaals Foundation
