FIGHTING OFF A KIDNAPPER
Children need to know how to protect and defend themselves from possible abductors. Bob Stuber, who joined us on the show a few months ago, is an anti-kidnapping expert and the founder of Escape School, which offers free safety workshops for children and parents across the country. He provides important safety tips that all parents need to know to protect their children from abduction and demonstrates some lifesaving tools children can use to protect themselves in the studio in this weeksKeeping Children Safe segment.
Self-Defense Safety Tips for Children from Bob Stuber:
The Velcro Technique Run to another adult in the immediate area and hold on tight! By doing this, you will certainly get their attention and they will be more willing to listen to you and help.
The Windmill Move If a stranger grabs your arm, rotate your arm like a windmill and run. The stranger will lose their grip on your arm as you rotate it, giving you enough time to get away.
Bicycle Tip - If a stranger tries to remove you from a bicycle, MAKE NOISE! Scream, make sure others around you know this adult is NOT your parent. Get off the bike on the opposite side as the person trying to grab you, and hold onto your bike as tightly as you can. An adult cant abduct a child with a bicycle in their arms too big and bulky to fit into a car.
An additional tip - If a stranger enters your bedroom, MAKE NOISE! Scream, knock over a piece of furniture or a lamp, or throw something out the window if you have to do anything that will make a lot of noise and attract attention.
Additional Safety Tips for Parents from Bob Stuber:
Have your child photographed at least once a year.
Get your child a passport so nobody else can get one for him/her.
Set up a family codeword if an adult is trying to lure your child and doesnt know the codeword, your child will know that that adult isnt a friend of the family. Never allow your child to accept a ride from anyone who doesnt know the family codeword.
Tell your children never to tell a caller that they are home alone.
Teach your children to be street smart if they are approached or even physically taken by a stranger, of course they will be scared, but if you help them come up with a plan of what to do, they will be more likely to keep a cool head. Open up the lines of communication and tell your children what they need to know knowledge is power!
Get to know your neighbors, and make sure your children know your neighbors too. Its important that children know there is a safe place to go in the neighborhood besides their home if they encounter danger.
Teach your children to look out for bad or strange actions, not bad people. Child abductors dont necessarily look scary or mean, so how somebody looks is not a reliable indicator.
Do not hire male babysitters to watch your children there are many more male child molesters than female ones.
Make sure your children know that adults should ask OTHER ADULTS for help, directions, etc. A strange adult should NOT be asking your children for any kind of help.
For more information on Escape School, founded by Bob Stuber, please visit the following website:
www.escapeschool.com - Escape School by Bob Stuber
