How to Protect Children From Predators

Child predators are everywhere. It is almost impossible to turn on the news and not hear about a child who has fallen victim to someone seeking to hurt him. Although it is almost impossible to keep children safe and protected at all times, there are a few things you can do that will help to protect your children from predators.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Educate yourself and your children. Know the laws in your community concerning child predators. Find out where they are and are not allowed to live. Learn about the suspicious behavior of predators, and watch for those behaviors in everyone, even people you know and consider to be friends.

2. Pay attention. Watch the news and listen for reports of child predators in your area. Look closely at the pictures of the predators. Memorize what they look like as well as their physical description. Always be aware of your surroundings, and teach your children to do the same. Watch for signs that your children are being watched or followed. Make sure your children know what those signs are as well.

3. Create a safety plan. Teach your children what to do if they find themselves confronted by a predator. Make sure they know how to dial 911 or the emergency services in your area. Tell them which neighbors they can go to if they are outside and unable to get home. Make sure they know what a stranger is. A good idea is to teach your child that a stranger is everyone who has never been invited into your home. Let your children know that is it okay to scream "Fire!" if they feel threatened. Yelling "Help!" is less likely to get a reaction. Teach them to trust their gut. They were given instincts for a reason, and those instincts are usually right.

4. Contact the authorities if you notice anything out of the ordinary. Never confront a suspicious person. Even if you do not have concrete proof that something is wrong, call the police. Better safe then sorry definitely applies when a child is at risk.