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Left hand/palm print Right hand/palm print First Name M. I. Last Name Hair Color Eye Color Date of Birth Gender Height Weight Race Place of Birth Birth Marks Date of Print CHILD SAFETY - PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION Parent/Guardian – A child’s finger/palm print is unique to them and is most often fully refined after the age of two. The Broomfield Police Department suggests finger/palm printing your child to retain as a record that can be used as an identification tool. A simple stamping process can be used with locally purchased craft stamping ink. Capture as much of your child’s hand print as possible. Take the time to review the safety tips provided on the opposite side of this card with your child. Retain this document in a secure place. ---PAGE BREAK--- “Child Safety - Stranger Awareness” Define for your child who is a “stranger.” Each family may have different people to warn a child against. Many people look friendly, but should be considered strangers if not known personally. Strangers can be men, women, or even other children. They can be tall or short, old or young, big or little. Define for your child who should be considered to be a trusted adult or grownup. Each family may have certain people that they trust, such as their parents, grandparents, babysitters, teachers, or police officers. Keep a recent photo of your child, a copy of your child’s fingerprints, and an updated record of his or her height and weight. Also, make a mental note of what your child is wearing every day. Never mark your child’s clothing, toys, book bag, etc. with his or her first name. Carefully check all baby-sitter references before leaving your child with them. Never leave small children home alone or unattended in a car or in public. If you must go out without your child, designate a neighbor’s house or apartment as a “safe house” where your child can go in the event of a problem. Tell the neighbor when you are leaving and when you plan to return. Be sure your child knows his or her name, address, city, state, and phone number (including area code). Show him or her how to dial 9-1-1 in case of an emergency. Teach your child to never tell anyone on the phone when they are home alone. Tell them to say that their parents are busy and that they can take a message. Teach your child, if someone comes to the door, to always ask who it is before opening the door and to never open the door for anyone they do not know. If your child is old enough to visit friends on his or her own, be sure that they tell you where they are going, who they are with, and when they will return. Teach your child a secret code word for emergency situations when you are unable to pick them up from school or other activities and have to send another person on your behalf. If the person picking them up does not know the code word, your child should know not to go with them! Consider utilizing a child locator app for your mobile device, or a GPS tracking device, to assist in keeping track of your child’s location when they are away from home. Encourage your child to respect his or her body and mind. Explain that he or she has a right to safety and self- respect. Teach your child that it is okay to tell someone if they make them feel uncomfortable and it is okay to say NO! Show your child love and attention to help him or her not be easily swayed by a stranger’s interest. One way of doing this is by taking the time to listen to your child and helping him or her feel comfortable discussing sensitive matters with you. Stay involved with your child’s life. The more actively you participate in what your child does, the better chance he or she will have of avoiding strangers, as well as situations involving drugs and gangs. Rehearse possible “stranger” situations with your child so he or she will know how to say “no” should the real situation ever occur. Teach your child that if a stranger offers them a ride, they should run away and tell someone their parents, babysitter, or the police). Teach your child to never go near a stranger’s car. Teach your child to stay away from any stranger who is offering them candy, money, or something in exchange for their help. This includes providing a stranger with directions or helping them find their lost puppy. Explain that these are tricks strangers use to get children close enough to be able to take or harm them. Tell your child to say, “NO,” to run away, and to tell a trusted adult right away. Teach your child that it is safer to be with you, a friend, or a group when out in public and they should never wander away alone. Tell them to try not to panic if they do become lost or separated from you or their group. Teach your child that if they become lost when you are shopping or at an event, they should go to the nearest checkout counter or information booth and tell the person that works there. The person working there will help them find you. Tell them not to leave the store or event. Internet safety is important. Teach your child to never give out their name, address, or personal information to anyone over the Internet and to never agree to meet anyone who has contacted them online.