One of the scariest things that could happen to a parent is having a child abducted. With so many cases in the news of late, you cant help but wonder what can be done to avoid such tragic circumstances. Although not completely avoidable as a parent there are some things that you can do to insure your childs safety.

While there are many things you may do when protecting your child, the most important is to never let them leave your sight, even for a minute. Keep them with you and don’t leave them unattended in a vehicle, even for a short time. If they’re not close enough to touch, then they may be too far away.

If your child does get away from you in a store, dont be embarrassed, go immediately to an employee and let them know that your child is missing. Waiting even a brief moment to inform the staff, is never a wise choice. Those few moments can be especially important. People who do these things, usually have them well thought out, so the faster you can let the employees know, the faster they can put the information out so that all the employees and customers will be on the lookout. In most cases, the stores will also close off the exits and this is extremely important to insure that no one can leave the store with your child.

Other devices to keep children safe are RF frequency locator devices which attach to the child’s ankle or wrist. They are relatively inexpensive and allow for peace of mind. Another option is a leash. Yes, a leash. Many people consider them in bad taste, but they are the best solution for some children who cannot be controlled otherwise.

As with anything there are no guarantees, however using wise judgment and being extra careful, you may be able to avert a horrible tragedy. I realize that we want to teach our children about strangers; the only problem is that most people are not bad, and we dont want to stop them from being curious or friendly with someone they have just met. This is why it is so important that we be the security guards for them.