Emergency Password

 

Ever think about what would happen if for some emergency reason you could not get to pick up your child on time?

You would have to send someone else.  How would you contact your child to let them know?

But you have drilled into your child, to never get into a car with anyone ever, no matter what they say, even if the child knows the person.

You have done that haven’t you?

You have taught your young children all of the tricks that people might try to get them into their car, such as:

·    Your Mum Sent Me / Emergency Tricks

o    Predators may use an emergency to confuse your child. Such as

-  ‘Hi I’m XXXXX  from Mum’s work …. Quick get in the car … Mums had an accident and I need to take you to the hospital to see her”

-  I’m your neighbour from around the corner, your mum’s car broke down, she sent me to take you home.

·    Asking for help Tricks

o    Predators may ask a child for help with directions, finding a lost puppy or child.

o    Teach your child that Adults ask Adults for help, not children.

o    They may even carry items to make you believe their story such as photos or a dog leash.

-  Help me find my puppy /  kitten  / it looks like this photo

-  I’m lost can you tell me where XXXXX street is.

-  Have you seen XXXXX, he/she goes to this school, I think he/she is lost  – here is a photo.

-  I will give you some money if you help me find [ insert cute cuddly appeal to child’s natural good nature] 

·     ·   Costume Tricks

o    Some predators use a costumes and props to lure children and hide the identity of the predator.

-  fake badges

-  Uniforms

-  Disguises

There is a simple answer to the dilemma and every family should have an Emergency Password.

This is how it works:

Someone approaches your child and tells them “your mum sent me to pick you up”

You child says “what’s the password?”

If the person does not know the password, or presents an incorrect one, the child flees, to the school office or other predesignated safe spot.

 

Focusing on the Password test and response also helps coalesce the child’s other learnings of predator tricks. 

It’s tough being a kid. So much to remember.   Realistically teaching a small child all of the above predator tricks to watch out for is not going to stick.  And if it does, the child may have nightmares.

That being said, some will get it, some won’t remember the next day. 

 

Some of the main drilling points are:  

    ·   never tell anyone your password and

    ·   Always ask for the password if something unusual happens and an adult wants you to do something you don't already have permission for

 

Instead of trying to cover everything, especially if your child doesn’t gel with this type of information, focus on drilling into your kids that adults and teenagers, don’t ask children for help, they ask other adults.

Anything that doesn’t fit with that, the child should back away and keep moving until they get to a safe spot.  (There is no safe distance)

Teach your kids that strangers don’t look mean ugly or scary. They look like normal people, but the things they do are not normal.

Keep it simple. Stay safe.