The picture above is two RCMP child id kits. RCMP is short for Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The kits were produced by wal-mart and handled by the RCMP. The local Mason's have a similar program.
The kit involves taking the child's fingerprints. A current photo and a few strands of hair pulled out so roots are intact for DNA identification. The Mason's setup is a bit better in that they also shoot a short video of the child identifying him or herself and put it on DVD. All of this is returned to the parent and lets authorities go into action faster in the event of a missing child. What we here call an amber alert. I'm sure you could go to your local police station and have the prints taken properly by the stations identification officer. You should update the photo and video every 6 months or so.
These are steps that make recovering a lost child easier but a better approach is prevention. Not that these steps should not be taken but you can help prepare your child not to go with strangers. Often strangers will pretend to be looking for a dog or a lost child or anything that will get a child's trust. If possible make sure there are only certain people your child will go with. It also a good idea if the child has a password. A word you and the child know and in the event you ever do have to have someone pick up the child you let them have the password. It should be changed often at least weekly plus any time it is used it needs to be changed again.
You can practice the child in this with the aid of friends that may be from work who the child does not know. Make sure someone else always has the child in sight and do a dry run. It is probably a good idea to return the favor for the co-workers kids. It's a simple thing but it is something you can teach which is more effective than the simple "don't go with strangers" most settle for. To a Child their definition of a stranger may not be the same as ours.
Those child id kits are a fantastic idea. The trouble is here in the UK most people are against any form of id cards or revealing any personal details about themselves. They call it a personal infringement! I call it political correctness gone mad.
ReplyDeleteI should point out the kits are kept by the parents not the police. I would really suggest getting the police to do the printing as the average person will make a mess that can't be used. I took police science first time I went to college because I wanted to go into intelligence. I wound up doing that before I graduated. However I did have to print all the new recruits for the regiment. Get the Grankids done it won't hurt and you keep the stuff yourself and hand it over if it is ever heaven forbid needed
ReplyDeletethese are very helpful tips Sid. when my boys were in school age ( 4-5yrs.old) i had taught them to memorize our address and phone number. that way when they got lost and an adult may find them, they will be able to tell where to bring them. where i come from, people in our town tend to know everyone's child and you wont fear if they stray away from there playing area becoz they will be brought home by a townmate. but it's not the same in the big city. here you cannot trust anyone, and everyone seemed to be a stranger.
ReplyDeletexoxoxoxo
Thanks for the email, I think it's a brilliant idea, you seem to have it all covered......hats off to you sir! xxx
ReplyDeleteSid,
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
There are kits sold here that are similar, but not as good as what you have available. It only takes a few seconds to lose a child, and it's something that I've had nightmares about for years. You can never be too careful!
Mimi
Mimi: talking with a number of people I have decided the kits are needed and am going to start making them and selling them on the net. What I plan is a bit more extensive then what is on the market now. I plan to sell them in DVD cases so if someone wanted they could record a short video of the child every few months to update when they do the photo. Also charts of meds allergies etc. I will enclose a pamplet I will write with various safety tips. I also see a need for these in the cases of wandering elderly with dementia. When we searched for them at work the photos we had were often 20 years old and almost uselesss. They would also be good for families ( all members ) when travelling.
ReplyDeleteI have ordered the print strips and will get to work as soon as they arrive. I am also going to do my best to keep the price under $10 including shipping. And have each kit good for up to 4 people. If a family is a bit larger I can expand it for a very low cost.