It can be a difficult thing for parents to talk to their children about the fact that there are people who would want to take them away or even do them harm. As parents, it would be wonderful to have our children grow up believing that the world is a safe and secure place. But that is not necessarily reality.

In the eyes of a child, it is hard to understand that anyone would want to harm them in any way. One of the most important things a parent can do to increase the safety of their child is to talk with them about the dangers that exist, even role-playing various scenarios with them.

Doing this, along with fingerprinting and photographing your child, will let your child know how much you love them and reinforce in their mind the idea of being safe.

1. Always keep an eye on your child, especially in large crowds.
2. Advise your child not to walk up to a stranger's vehicle for any reason. Role-play this with your child, e.g. a stranger offering candy, requesting directions, or asking for help in finding a lost puppy or kitten.
3. Show your child how to dial 9-1-1. Discuss with your child what an emergency is and when they should use 9-1-1. Advise your child that the Atascadero Police Department will send an officer to any 9-1-1 hang up telephone call when no one can be reached on a call back.
4. Keep a close eye on children using the Internet. If you teach them not to talk to strangers, why let them do it on line?
5. Provide your child with the names of trusted adults, e.g. .neighbors, that they can go to in the event of an emergency if you can't be reached.
6. Advise your child that if they become lost, find a Police Officer or a store clerk and wait with that person until the police arrive.
7. Don't put clearly visible nametags on your child's bike or backpack. It would allow a stranger to call them by name, giving them some unwarranted credibility in your child's mind.
8. If your child stays home alone, instruct him/her not to answer the door and to screen telephone calls.
9. Remind your child that adults do not need help from a child in looking for something like a lost puppy or kitten.
10. If your child is in a dangerous situation, instruct them to yell, "This is not my mom/dad!"
11. Make sure your child knows their full name, address, and telephone number as soon as age appropriate.
12. Instruct your child that if someone comes into their room late at night, to scream and make as much noise as possible no matter what the stranger tells them.