Schaumburg Police Department and the Schaumburg Township District Library and the National Center for Missing & Exploiting Children will host a child safety event by participating in the national Take 25 child safety campaign Saturday, May 26, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The event is in the lobby of Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 South Roselle Road, Schaumburg.

The events will feature child fingerprinting, coloring and button art, and child safety materials.

Take 25 aims to heighten awareness of children’s personal safety issues. With a focus on prevention, the campaign encourages parents, guardians, and other role models to spend time talking to kids to teach them ways to be safer. The name is derived from the promotion that all parents and guardians take 25 minutes to talk to children about safety and important ways to prevent child abduction.

Discussion guidelines for talking to children about safety from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children ‘Take 25′ initiative …

Be Prepared
Spend some time to review safety information before you communicate it to your children. That way, you’ll be better able to talk about the topic in a calm, reassuring manner.

Consider your child’s age
Gear discussions to your child’s level, taking into account their age and understanding. For instance, a typical four-year-old won’t sit through long explanations or retain a lot of information, so simple visuals and activities can be useful in capturing their interest.

Seize opportunities
Instead of waiting for “the right time” to talk to kids, make the most of everyday moments. A relaxed family meal provides the perfect opportunity to get kids to tune into safety messages, especially when favorite foods are on the menu. A car ride to school offers another great chance to talk to kids about safety.

Be open
Encourage your children to talk openly about their questions and worries. Let them know you care about what happens to them by setting clear rules, but try not to lecture or criticize.

Have fun
Child safety is a serious subject, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have an enjoyable time talking about it with your kids. Sing songs, tell stories, play games and interact with your kids in a way that makes them feel safe and loved. You’ll also help reinforce the message if you’re consistent in your approach.

See also …
NCMEC Take 25 official website …

missingkids.com

netsmartz.org (online safety) …

Seed Newsvine

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