What Your Teen can do to Stay Safe

• Don't go out alone - There is safety in numbers. This rule isn't just for little kids, it applies to teens, too.
• Always tell an adult where you're going - Letting someone know where you'll be at all times is smart. If you're faced with a risky situation or get into trouble, your family and friends will know where to find you.
• Say no if you feel threatened - If someone (anyone) touches you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, you have the right to say no. Whether it is pressure about sex, drugs, or doing something that you know is wrong, be strong and stand your ground.

What Your Child can do to Stay Safe

• Always take a friend when walking or riding your bike to and from school. Stay with a group while waiting at the bus stop. It's safer and more fun to be with your friends.
• If anyone bothers you while going to or from school, get away from that person, and tell a trusted adult like your parents or teacher.
• If an adult approaches you for help or directions, remember grownups needing help should not ask children for help - they should ask other adults.
• If someone you don't know or feel comfortable with offers you a ride, say no.
• If someone follows you, get away from him or her as quickly as you can. Always be sure to tell your parents or a trusted adult what happened.
• If someone tries to take you somewhere, quickly get away and yell, "This person is trying to take me away!" or "This person is not my father (mother)!"
• If you want to change your plans after school, always check 1st with your parents. Never play in parks, malls, or video arcades by yourself.
• If you go home alone after school, check to see that everything is okay before you go in. Once inside, call your parents to let them know that you are okay. Make sure you follow your "Home Alone" tips.
• Trust your feelings. If someone makes you feel scared or uncomfortable, get away as fast as you can and tell a trusted adult.

What to do in Case of an Emergency

• Keep a complete description of your child.
• Take a color photograph of your child every 6 months.
• Keep copies of your child's fingerprints.
• Keep a sample of your child's DNA (see below).
• Know where your child's medical records are located.
• Have your dentist prepare and maintain dental charts for your child.

DNA Samples
Below is the suggested method of collecting and saving DNA. This method is provided by the Virginia Department of Forensic Science.

Items needed to collect DNA: Sterile cotton swabs and envelopes.

How to collect and store:
This process is known by the medical community as buccal swabs. Holding 2 dry sterile swabs, swab the surfaces of the cheek inside the mouth. Rotate the swabs and saturate them with saliva. Place the swabs on a paper towel, foil, or plastic wrap and allow them to air dry for 24 hours. Keep them away from direct sunlight or heat. Next, write the following information on the plain envelope:

• The name of the person
• Birth date
• Sex
• Any distinguishing features of the person the sample was taken from
• When the swab was collected

Once the swabs are dry, place them in the envelope and seal it. Make sure to keep the tips of the swab away from the writing on the envelope. It might not be a bad idea to take several samples from each loved one and store them in different secure locations

What You Should Do In Case Your Child Is Missing

• Immediately report your child missing to your local law enforcement agency.
• Ask the law enforcement agency to enter your child into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Missing Person File.
• Limit access to your home until law enforcement arrives and has the opportunity to collect possible evidence.
• Give law enforcement investigators all information you have on your child including fingerprints, complete description and the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance.

Resources
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Safe Kids Worldwide
I'm Safe