The biggest misconception about the danger of a child being abducted is that abductions are only carried out by strangers. In a majority of cases, children are abducted by a person they or their parents know. We should not only teach our children to be cautious of strangers, but we should also instruct them to adhere to the following:

1. Children should always get your approval before going anywhere, including inside someone's home. Emphasize to your children that it is necessary to get your approval, even if they are asked to go somewhere with someone you or they know.

2. Children should always tell you the names and addresses of their friends. You should get to know your children's friends, their parents, and where they live. Speak with the parents of your children's friends to ensure your children will be supervised if allowed to visit their home.

3. Children should never play outside alone. Children should never be left unsupervised since this increases their risk of being abducted.

4. Teach your children to be aware of their surroundings and to quickly move away from any adult they believe is following them. Children should be taught that if someone tries to abduct them, they should scream as loud as they can, "This person is trying to take me away" or "This is not my parent."

5. Children should be taught to stay away from people in cars. Tell your children never to approach a car, engage in conversation with anyone in a car, or go anywhere with any person in a car without your approval.

6. For use in emergencies, you may want to create a "password" known only to you and your child that if told to your child lets him/her know it is okay to go with them.

7. Sometimes abductors, with whom a child is familiar, will say they have been sent by a parent to pick them up. Children should be taught never to go with anyone unless you have told them in advance it is okay or they know the "password" that you and your child have agreed upon in such situation.

8. Children should be taught that if anyone gives them a gift or shows them a great deal of attention they should inform you. Abductors will often initiate an innocent contact with a child to try to get close to them.

9. When you and your children are at a public place, such as a shopping mall or park, you may want to designate an area where they should go in the event they get separated from you. Children should be taught that if they get separated from you in a public place they should not wander around. Instead, they should go to a checkout counter or to a security guard and ask for help.

10. Children should be taught that if a stranger asks to take their picture to tell the stranger "NO" and then to inform you (or their teacher) immediately. Someone who is interested in taking a picture of your child should be asking you, and not your child. Child predators may have an interest in your child and want a picture to use when fantasizing about them. Once fantasy is not enough, it could turn to abduction.

11. Children should be taught that if an adult asks them for help that they should stay away from them. Explain to your children that adults should not be asking them for help, but should be asking other adults. Emphasize that an adult should never be asking them for help in any situation, including asking for directions or locating a lost animal, such as a puppy or cat. Also, explain to your child that they should never go anywhere with someone who tells them their parents are in trouble and need their help.

12. Children should be taught that if an adult asks them to keep a secret or tells them things that make them feel uncomfortable to inform you immediately. Abductors will often initiate innocent contact with a child to try to get close to them. It is a good idea to check the background of all adults who have a position of authority over your children such as babysitters, caregivers, coaches, and teachers.

13. Children should be taught that it is okay for them to say "NO" to adults, especially if they sense they are being asked to do something that is wrong. They should then inform you immediately of the event.

If you would like additional information on how to protect your child from victimization, please visit the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's website at www.ncmec.org, or contact them at 1-800-843-5678. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offers publications that contain additional tips and prevention strategies to keep children safe.