NATIONAL MISSING CHILDREN’S DAY | May 25
National Missing Children's Day on May 25th each year shines a spotlight on child safety. The day also honors the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly protecting children around the country.
#MissingChildrensDay
Most children who go missing do come home. Whether they've wandered off or there was a misunderstanding, many find their way back to their family.
According to the Polly Klaas Foundation, 99.8 percent of children reported missing come home. Of those who are abducted, 9 percent are kidnapped by a family member. Only a small fraction are stranger abductions. However, the fact remains, if it happens to one child, that's one child too many.
Protecting Your Children
While today's observance honors those who've gone above and beyond to protect children, it's also a good opportunity to offer resources to keep your children safe every day. It's important to:
Maintain custody documents.
Keep recent photos of children handy.
Keep a copy of fingerprints.
Make sure medical and dental records up to date.
Monitor online activity.
Set some rules about who your child hangs out with.
Keep track of where your child is going.
Get to know parents of friends.
Complete background checks on caregivers and check references.
Never leave young children unattended in strollers and car seats.
Whenever possible, don't dress children in clothing with their names on it.
Teach your child their address and phone number as young as possible.
Get to know your child's friends.
Schedule events and gatherings in public places with your child and their friends and invite their parents, too.
