Passwords -- THIS COULD SAVE YOUR CHILD'S LIFE

[Deb in IA]

An attempted kidnapping was foiled in Salt Lake City, UT, when 7-year old Shelby Flanders asked the man who said he was to pick her up for the "family password".

Here is part of the story (also seen on Good Morning America):

The Family Code
Girl Foils Alleged Kidnapping Attempt with a Family Secret



S A L T L A K E C I T Y, UTAH, April 13 — Seven-year-old Shelby Flanders was walking home from elementary school when a stranger in a red car approached her with a frightening story about her mother.



The man, according to the Salt Lake County Sheriff's department, told Shelby that her mom had been in a car accident and that he was sent to pick her up. But Shelby didn't buckle under the pressure.

Shelby said on ABCNEWS' Good Morning America that when she refused his offer of candy, the man said her mom had been in an accident. When she asked him the code word, he didn't answer, "so I said 'no' and I ran," she said.

Shelby ran off toward some school friends who had been walking ahead, and the man quickly pulled a U-turn and sped away.

"If we don't have a code word when anybody comes up to us, we won't go with them," said Shelby.


http://abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/US/Code_word_kidnap_attempt_040413-1.html



Do YOUR kids have a family code word? If not, DO THIS NOW!! It could save their lives!!!

 

[dvcfamily41801]

Good for that little girl and her parents for teaching that to her!!

 

[castlegazer]

Definately will implement this.

Thanks for this. It is a good reminder and a good tip.

 

[MosMom]

Yes, we certainly do and I even had one as a child. When I was young, it was Hippopotamus Poop. LOL Nobody could ever guess that. For Mo, we have changed the password but still use it. Especially now that Mo is getting older and isn't in my direct supervision constantly (at school, school functions, etc.).

 

[6_Time_Momma]

We actually do have a code word. I only hope the kids remember that in a scary situation like that! Wonderful for the girl!

 

[dizneenut]

Yes, we have a code word.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yes and I have told my child to say what are my passwords, even though it is only one.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

My older children both have a different code. It is their favorite color and favorite animal.

Lori

 

[RitaZ.]

That is one sharp 7 yr. old!

My DD's K class went to Safety Town a couple of months ago, Stranger Danger is one of the stations that were covered. The code word was one of the things that I asked the trainer/police officer when I went to the training session. She actually said that having a code word doesn't prove helpful for most children that young. She said that kids often forget or will divulge the "code word" to friends or even strangers. She did say that it is a good idea for older children from about 10 yrs. and up to have a code word. She had some interesting and also scary stories to share with us. One of the things that the officer did emphasize was the importance of children knowing their parents' names, home address and home phone and also how to dial 911. Lots of stories about children that didn't know that info, as well as some that did and how helpful it was in emergencies.

I suppose it can't hurt to have one, but you can't always rely on young kids remembering a code word in case of an emergency.

 

[binny]

weve been doing this for years!

It works wonders and it makes me feel just that much safer.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

Smart little girl

 

[Cindy'sCastle]

My DD and I have one too!