Page 22
The INDEPENDENT, December 21, 2011
Tips for keeping children safe during holiday travel or shopping
Parents need to be careful
not to let their guard down or
become distracted while travel-
ing or attending public func-
tions during the 2011 holiday
season. The Oregon State Po-
lice (OSP) Missing Children
Clearinghouse and the Nation-
al Center for Missing & Exploit-
ed Children (NCMEC) urge
parents to consider what they
should be telling their children
to keep them safe while shop-
ping and traveling this holiday
season.
Parents need to talk with
children about safety before
heading out to a busy shopping
mall or boarding a plane, train,
or bus this holiday season.
Crowds are greater this time of
year and children may easily
become separated from their
parents, causing confusion and
fear. If that should happen, par-
ents need a plan and children
should know what to do.
Many adults and children
don’t know what to do if they
lose each other in a public
place or are faced with other
unsafe situations. That’s why
the NCMEC and the OSP Miss-
ing Children Clearinghouse is
offering advice on how to re-
main safe and avoid panic and
potential dangers.
ALWAYS:
• Keep children with you at
all times while shopping.
• Accompany and supervise
children in public facilities, in-
cluding restrooms.
• Have a plan in case you
become separated, including a
pre-designated spot to meet.
• Teach children to look for
people who can help, such as a
uniformed security officer,
salesperson or mother with
children.
• Remind children to remain
in the area where they become
separated.
NEVER:
• Dress children in clothing
that displays their first or last
names, prompting unwelcome
attention from people looking
for an opportunity to start a
conversation with your child.
• Leave children in toy stores
or public facilities expecting su-
pervision from store personnel.
• Go shopping or attend a
public event with a child if you
feel you’re going to be distract-
ed. Make other arrangements
for child care ahead of time.
See Keep on page 26
Tony Johnson Construction
ALE WOODWORKIN
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