Parent Safety Tips
Safety Tips for Parents & Families
As a parent, you can't monitor your child's behavior every moment of the day. Whether on their way to or from school or playing with friends on the playground, there is always a chance your child may not return home.
Preparing for potential threats to your child’s safety begins at home.
- Always know where your child is going and who they are with.
- Know who your children’s friends are and keep an updated contact list with parent/guardian names, addresses and phone numbers including cell phone numbers.
- Have your child(ren) memorize their home phone number and other family contact information (e.g., work numbers) and teach them how to reach you (or 911) in the event of an emergency.
- Street proof your child(ren). Teach them about what to do when approached by strangers and to trust their instincts when confronted with uncomfortable situations. Children should be told that adults do not ask children for help and it’s OK for children to say
NO
. - Establish a secret code word that only the family knows. This word would be used to identify the
safe
person if a child is to be picked up in an emergency situation by someone other than their parent or guardian. - Encourage children to stay together and adopt the
buddy system
. - Talk to your children about running away and the dangers of being on the street.
- If you suspect your child is involved with drugs or alcohol seek help. There are numerous community resources available to provide assistance, counseling etc.
- Monitor your child’s use on the internet. Know what social networking site your child uses. (i.e., Facebook, Nexopia, Hotmail, hi5, etc). Children can easily be deceived on the internet and lured into meeting with a child predator who they think is just another teenager wanting to be friends.
- Participate in the Family Identification Program and keep updated information (photographs, fingerprints, medical history, dental records, X-rays and DNA samples) on hand to provide police.
Safety Tips for Families & Caregivers
Providing support and care for someone with mental health issues can be physically and emotionally challenging. As a caregiver for an adult with mental health issues, it can be difficult to balance the need to maintain your loved one’s independence with your concern for their ongoing safety and security. Planning ahead can make it easier to manage a difficult situation later. Consider the following tips to help reduce the risks (and stress) should a person you provide care for go missing:
- Always keep an up-to-date photo of the member on hand.
- Always have your loved one carry proper identification and if possible contact information (i.e., who to reach) in the event of an emergency situation.
- Register yourself or the person you support with Safely Home .
- Participate in the Family Identification Program and keep updated information (photographs, fingerprints, medical history, dental records, X-rays and DNA samples) on hand to provide police.
To file a missing persons report, contact your local police service. In Ridge Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, call the Ridge Meadows RCMP non-emergency number at 604-463-6251
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