Child Safety - Does Your Dog Have More Identification Than Your Child?

Take a moment and think about it. When you consider the fact that, as adults, we would never consider leaving the house without our id. We spend thousands on home and car alarms, we are even protecting our family pets with microchips; however, our most cherished possessions, our children, leave home without any identification.

Here are some questions:

- Have you taken the time to record your child's fingerprints, gather a hair sample for DNA purposes, record all his/her specific identification, including specific identifying features and a photograph of your child in a Child ID kit? If so, is it up to date?

- In the event of a motor vehicle accident, in which you have been rendered unconscious, do the emergency medical professionals have a quick way of accessing your child's specific medical history, including your child's blood type, medical provider, allergies, any medications they may be taking at the time, or, even your family's doctor's name and phone number?

- If you were on vacation with your children and they became lost or separated from you, or worse, arrived at a hospital, unconscious, as a John Doe, how or who would notify you and how would they know to do so?

- Do you or your husband, for that matter; carry your child's specific identification,

this should include an up to date picture?

- Do you, as responsible parents, take the time to talk with your children about child safety?

- If you became separated from your child in a crowd, would someone be able to contact you directly, or even know who your child was?

If your answer was no or I don't know, don't worry, you are not alone. The sad fact of the matter is that children do not carry identification; if they did they would likely loose it!

Given today's world, it's becoming a necessity for children to carry identification. This fact was clearly illustrated through recent tragic natural disasters such as the tsunami, hurricane Katrina and the earthquake in Pakistan. With each of these disasters, we've witnessed far too many unidentified children.

When thinking of child identification, often, fingerprints and hair samples are the first things that enter our mind. There are far too many companies that profess to provide your child with identification.

Let me inform you that 99.9% of those companies are passive in nature.

Fingerprints, DNA information, pictures and even dental records will and are only ever used after the fact. Passive information. Think of it as locking the barn after the horse gets away. It's unfortunate that as parents, we feel that we have done all possible to protect our children by having recorded this information. This is the first step, and a very important step in the safety of your child; however, as a parent, the only time you ever want to look at your child's identification kit is and should be when you update it. This is a very important step towards safeguarding against the unthinkable. Few people are aware that children's fingerprints are actually changing for the first 4-5 years of their life; therefore, it is imperative that this information be updated at least once a year, and every 6 months for the first three years of a child's life.

When looking for a child identification provider, keep in mind the old adage " An once of prevention far outweighs a pound of cure". If all the company provides you with are a fingerprint kit, keep looking! One such proactive provider of child safety and identification is Child ID Labels inc.

The purpose of this article is not to alarm you but to inform you, as we are all aware, information is a powerful tool. If, in reading this, you took a moment to think about your child's safety, please email this article to as many people as you know and encourage them to do the same. Your children are, after all, your most valuable possessions as well as our future.

Scott Irwin is the Marketing Director for Child I.D. Labels inc. Founded in 1995, Child ID Labels has been protecting North American children for more than 10 years. For more information on their unique proactive approach to child identification and how you can help keep your children safe visit http://www.childidatlantic.com Child ID Labels inc. is growing and open to distributorship enquiries. Email us at info@childidatlantic.com.

Top 14 Child Abduction Prevention Tips

Child abduction is rare, but it does happen. As a parent, you can't spend every moment with your child to ensure that he or she is safe. You can, however, teach your child how to be safe and how to help safeguard themselves against abduction. It is important to try to discuss abduction in a way that is serious, yet not too frightening for the child. The following guidelines are written for children and can be a useful tool for parents teaching their children how to be safe.

Child Abduction Prevention Tips


Do not go near a car you don't know.
Always let your parents know where you are and who you are with.
If you get lost in a public place, stay put. Ask someone who works there for help finding your parents.
Stay away from strangers; never tell them your name or where you live.
If you feel like you are being followed, get away as quickly as you can. The best places to go are where you know an adult or where there are a lot of people. If you are being followed by a car, run in the other direction.
If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, tell an adult you trust.
Use the buddy system: take someone with you whenever you are in public.
Never take candy or gifts from a stranger.
If an adult asks you for directions, do not talk to them. This is something they should ask another adult to do, not a child.
Never go anywhere without a parent's permission.
If you need to use a public restroom, do not go alone - take a buddy with you.
If anyone touches or treats you in a way that makes you uncomfortable, tell them to "STOP" in a loud voice. Then tell an adult you trust right away.
If someone tries to lead you away, scream "Help!", "I don't know you!", or "Stranger!"
Use a secret emergency code word your whole family knows. If someone does not know the secret word, you should not go with him or her.

As parents, it is important to keep lines of communication open with your children at all times. Talk with your children on a daily basis about the safety precautions they must take while at home and in public. Studies have shown that children are at highest risk of abduction before and after school, which are usually the times when they have least adult supervision. Make sure that your child and his or her school teachers know exactly who is supposed to pick them up from school. If the person picking them up ever changes be sure to notify the school and have them confirm the right person has picked your child up.

If your child is a latch-key kid, be sure to establish a plan with him or her to always check-in with you once they have arrived home from school. Knowing where your child is at all times is one of the most thorough ways to ensure their safety. Finally, it is important to listen to what your children have to say, because they might not always know how to communicate to you about when they have felt in danger. If your child does report any suspicious behavior to you, alert your local authorities immediately.

Read more family safety tips and find out how a home security system from Gaylord Security can help protect your family.

Dumbo (Two-Disc 70th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray / DVD Combo Pack in Blu-ray Packaging)

A Disney "classic" that actually is a classic, Dumbo should be part of your video collection whether or not you have children. The storytelling was never as lean as in Dumbo, the songs rarely as haunting (or just plain weird), the characters rarely so well defined. The film pits the "cold, cruel, heartless" world that can't accept abnormality against a plucky, and mute, hero. Jumbo Jr. (Dumbo is a mean-spirited nickname) is ostracized from the circus pack shortly after his delivery by the stork because of his big ears. His mother sticks up for him and is shackled. He's jeered by children (an insightful scene has one boy poking fun at Dumbo's ears, even though the youngster's ears are also ungainly), used by the circus folk, and demoted to appearing with the clowns. Only the decent Timothy Q. Mouse looks out for the little guy. Concerns about the un-PC "Jim Crow" crows, who mock Dumbo with the wonderful "When I See an Elephant Fly," should be moderated by remembering that the crows are the only social group in the film who act kindly to the little outcast. If you don't mist up during the "Baby Mine" scene, you may be legally pronounced dead. --Keith Simanton

Price: $39.99

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Child ID Cards - Over 2100 Children Go Missing Each Day, A Child ID Card Can Help Find a Lost Child

The U.S. Department of Justice reports:

o 797,500 children (younger than 18) were reported missing in a one-year period of time studied resulting in an average of 2,185 children being reported missing each day.

o 203,900 children were the victims of family abductions.

o 58,200 children were the victims of non-family abductions.

o 115 children were the victims of "stereotypical" kidnapping. (These crimes involve someone the child does not know or someone of slight acquaintance, who holds the child overnight, transports the child 50 miles or more, kills the child, demands ransom, or intends to keep the child permanently.)

While these statistics are startling, the risk of a child missing or being kidnapped, as far as percentages go, is really quite low. They are low, that is, until it becomes your child. Should the situation arise that your child is missing, there are certain pieces of information that you need to have readily at hand to give to emergency authorities. They include:

*A recent photo of the child

*Medical information pertaining to the child

*Any identifying marks

*Physical information such as color of eyes, hair, or do they wear glasses

This information can be kept on a piece of paper at home along with a picture, but what happens if you don't have access to that information? Say you are at the mall when your child disappears, what do you have to help police or security guards?

One answer is that you have a child ID card in your wallet that contains all the pertinent information that authorities need to find your child. The information that provides critical ID information to authorities will go a long way in helping to find your child. It is also recommended that you keep a picture of your child on your cell phone for emailing or download.

It also needs to be noted that approximately 85% of children under the age of 16 carry no form of ID. The risk then arises that if your child is in an accident away from home, say at the skateboard park, and injured or rendered unconscious, they will have no information on their person that First Responders can use in either treating them or in getting in contact with you.

There are countless other examples where the need for your child to carry an ID card will arise. If you are on vacation and in an auto accident and rendered unconscious, will your child have information about them that lists any medication or physical conditions? The times the need for an ID card arises are countless.

It is recommended that your child have an ID card and you have one as well. Additionally, the card should be updated once a year (usually on the child's birthday) or as medical conditions change. Information that should be on the card includes:

*Photo

*Address

*Color of hair and eyes

*Identifying marks

*Contacts with at least two phone number

*Medicines and allergies

*Doctor's name and phone

*Dentist's name and phone

The card should be made of a durable plastic. This way there is little risk of it being ruined when the child is playing or should the card get wet. Another reason for a plastic card is the sense of importance it brings to the child-they'll have a real ID card just like their parents driver's license.

A Child ID Card will prove to be a great tool in the case of an emergency or missing child. We recommend that you give one to your child and keep the other in your wallet. And make sure you keep the card up to date.

In today's society, it is so easy for a child to become lost or missing. Help increase the chances of them being found with the information that will be on your Child ID Card.

To see this and other forms of ID, please visit our web site http://www.familyidkit.com

What You Can Do To Safeguard Your Child And Be Prepared

Here is a list of things your can do to be proactive in protecting your child as well as being prepared incase your child is missing or abducted.

o Never leave a child unattended while shopping, visiting with neighbors or friends. Under no circumstances should you leave a child alone in a car or truck.

o Teach your child to always tell you where they are going and check with you before going anywhere with anyone.

o Teach your child their address and phone number as well as a second phone number of a friend or relative at an early age. Have them practice writing and reciting this information.

o Teach your child how to make a collect phone call, and begin by saying "Operator I'm in trouble; I need your help."

o If your child is home alone; teach them to:

o Keep all doors and windows locked.

o Never let anyone know that he or she is alone.

o Never let anyone in the house even if they say they are a police officer or from the fire department. These individuals know how to forcibly enter a house if there is an emergency.

o Keep a current photograph of your child (up close head and shoulders and a profile picture). Update your child's picture every 6 months to 1 year. Take videos a couple of times a year.

o Have your child fingerprinted.

o Have a current description of your child on hand. This description should include: height, weight, hair color, eye color, if your child is left or right handed, birthmarks, scars, moles, freckles other unique identifying features.

o Be aware of what your child is wearing.

o Know who their friends are, where they live and their phone numbers.

o Create a family secret CODE WORD. Tell your child that if anyone approaches them saying that they are a family friend, they must ask for the secret word. If the person does not know the word your child should run away as quickly as possible and tell a trusted adult.

o Let your child know that their body belongs to them. No one has the right to touch them inappropriately. If this happens or if they feel uncomfortable around someone they should tell you.

o Do not label clothing, backpacks, purses or other clothing item. A child will tend to pay attention to anyone calling him or her by name.

o Teach your child to yell "THIS IS NOT MY PARENT" and run to somewhere safe with a lot of people if someone tries to take them away.

o Teach your child to tell you or another trusted adult immediately if a stranger asks them for help (for example: Can you help me find a pet? Can you give me directions?), offers them candy or gifts, or frightens them in anyway.

This information was compiled from multiple sources to create a comprehensive document. Some of these sources include: Maryland State Police Maryland's Missing Children pamphlet, childsearch.org and missingkids.com

Child Product:http://www.rubystone.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?page=RBS/PROD/CP1/ICTSS Ruby started RubyStone Enterprises aka http://www.rubystone.com to help keep you and your little ones stay safe and secure. At http://www.RubyStone.com we offer a wide range of Free Safety advice, Newsletters, guides and tips as well as the very latest in unique safety products to help you protect yourself and loved ones. Copyright 2007 by Ruby Aragon. All rights reserved.

We've got the solutions to help you cope with all of these situations. Your life becomes easier and safer when you have unique safety and protection products from Rubystone.

You CAN Protect Your Loved Ones In An Emergency-By Being Prepared!

Child Safety Should Be America's Top Priority

If not now, when will America come to terms with losing her children to abductions by adults and organizations targeting and trafficking our youth. Seems like every day you turn on the news or read the newspaper, another child has been abducted by a stranger or in some cases family members and parents.

Child abductions rank up there with high crimes, treason and terrorism. Why is it American citizens are not sick and tired of being sick and tired about this terrible problem?

Major television continues to produce shows about the glamorous lifestyle of her celebrities, while at the same time you hardly see or hear anything about the abduction of our countries most valuable assets, our children.

Child safety should be #1 in the hearts and minds of over 300 million citizens in the United States of America. If we are to be considered the lone super power in the world, then we had better darn well take care of our children.

Having grown up in a family of nine children, my mother and father did everything that could to protect us from any and all acts of deceit and deception by mentally unstable and mentally sick adults. Mind you my father did not play that game and every one in my community understood you do not mess with the Vann children and if you do, there would be a price to be paid to rectify the problem.

The fact that two parents are working in the household and strangers are raising children in day care centers throughout the country, it is no wonder the rate of child abductions and exploitation is at an all time high. It is a sad state of affairs for America, but you can do something to protect your children.

Visit my child safety website to learn more about my business and sign up to protect your children: www.childshieldusa.com/plvfoundation.

Thank you in advance for taking time out of your schedule to learn how you can make a world of difference providing safety for our children. If you have any questions contact me at (240) 476-8976.

Paul Lawrence Vann is a successful entrepreneur, motivational speaker and author of the book, Living on Higher Ground. He leads Fortune 500 companies, associations, government agencies, and eudcational institutions to achieve higher levels of excellence through his leadership and diversity strategies. Hos clients include MasterCard International, United States Air Force Academy, USEPA, National Military Family Association, Toastmasters International, John Hopkins University, and numerous other organizations. http://www.paullawrencevann.com, [http://www.livingonhigherground.com], http://pvann.blogspot.com, (800) 476-8976.

JanSport Classic SuperBreak Backpack

Boasting a sturdy 600-denier polyester construction and a stylish exterior, the JanSport SuperBreak backpack easily and comfortably carries your gear for years to come. The utilitarian pack offers a single main compartment and a front pocket with an organizer, giving it enough space to store two to three textbooks, a large binder, two to three spiral notebooks, several paperbacks, a calculator, pens and pencils, a bag lunch, a cell phone, and an MP3 player--all without breaking a sweat. In addition, the SuperBreak is comfortable enough for a full day of striding from class to class, with straight-cut, padded shoulder straps and a 2/3-padded back panel for cushioning comfort. Also outfitted with a web haul loop along the top, the SuperBreak carries a lifetime warranty.

Specifications:

• Capacity: 1,551.2 cubic inches / 25.42 liters
• Dimensions: 13 by 16.7 by 8.5 inches (W x H x D)
• Weight: 12 ounces

About JanSport
For more than 30 years, JanSport has created products to help you carry the stuff you need, where you need it, in the most functional and fashionable way possible. JanSport's success extends around the globe and into walks of life that are as varied as the company's product offering. JanSport's goal is to design, engineer, manufacture, and market products that can help you get from point A to point B, wherever that may be. And the company wants to help you get there in the most functional way possible. Realizing that the pack that carries your books to school might be the same backpack that carries your gear on a Saturday day hike, JanSport incorporates flexibility into each and every design. The company is headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, with offices in the U.S. and Europe.

Price: $0.00

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