Missing Children

  Tips for Earthquake Preparedness

Missing Children: Rising cases of missing children has become a subject of great concern. Educating the children about the issues of kidnapping and what one can do to escape such an environment has become a necessity.  We must not forget that our children cannot take care of themselves; rather we have to take care for them.

Guidelines for Parents:
 Ø       Never leave your child unattended in a car, home, market or any other public place.
Ø       Share quality time with each child, listen, and guide them through difficult periods.
Ø       Take pictures of your child at least once a year. If under the age of two, four times a year. Always maintain a current photograph of your child.
Ø       Keep a note of his/her height, weight and colour of eyes.
Ø       Be aware of the identification marks like birthmarks, scars etc.
Ø       Try to be familiar with his/her daily routine. Be aware of his/her whereabouts at all times.
Ø       Keep the addresses and phone numbers of your child’s friends.
Ø       Know all possible details about your child’s friends.
Ø       Ensure that small children carry a badge or identity card on person having his name, parents name, address and phone numbers on it.
Ø       Never assume that your child will never go missing.

Guidelines for Children :
Ø       The child should know his full name, parents’ name, his complete address and contact Phone numbers.
Ø       He/She should not talk to unknown persons when he/she is alone.
Ø       The child should not accept anything from strangers, especially eatables like Chocolates, Sweets etc.
Ø       Under no circumstances, the child should accept any ride or lift from any stranger.
Ø       Before going out anywhere, the child should give all details like how he is going, with whom he is going and when he will be coming back.
Ø       Teach them not to stray from you in a public place, and to go to a police officer or store employee for help if they become lost.
Ø       It is alright to say "No" to an adult if they sense danger. Teach the child to yell "HELP! This is not my Dad/Mom!" Continue to yell, kick, and try to break loose until they get safely away.
Ø       Never tell anyone on the phone they are alone or open the door to strangers. If a delivery is being made, have them leave it on the porch

Immediate steps to be taken in case a child goes missing:

Ø       Time is of utmost importance and it could be the deciding factor in the child’s safe recovery.
Ø       Immediately inform the police. This is of utmost importance. A few hours can make the difference. Request that you be kept informed on a regular basis of the status of the investigation
Ø       Hand over the latest photograph of the child along with all relevant details to the police.
Ø       Check with your child's friends, school, neighbors, relatives, or anyone else who may know of your child's whereabouts. Ask them to notify you if they hear from the child. Get as many people as possible to search for the missing child. Give all possible details like the clothes he/she was wearing.
Ø       Utilize Newspapers, TV, Posters at Railway Stations, Bus Stops, Taxi Stands to get the word around as early as possible.

Tips on Street Safety:

Ø       Don’t carry more money or valuables than you can afford to lose.
Ø       Do not publicize.
Ø       Try to walk on the side of the street facing the oncoming traffic.
Ø       If you are being followed, slow down, speed up then reverse your direction and indicate to your pursuer that you are aware of his following you, then go straight for help from other people.
Ø       If you are walking alone at night, do not walk near cars parked by the roadside or anything that could possibly conceal a potential ambusher.
Ø       If you go regularly for jogging or walks alone and you perceive any threat to your life, vary your routes and timings to minimize the possibility at someone’s lying in wait to assault you.
Ø       When using public transportation, sit near a companion, fellow passenger or the conductor. Avoid the seats near the exit as far as possible.
Ø       When seated near an open window, protect your belongings from being stolen by any person reaching through the window.
Ø       Keep the approximate fare separately before you leave home. Avoid opening your handbag or showing your wallet.
Ø       Be alert; remain vigilant to the surroundings around you. Keep your eyes and cars open till you reach your destination.
Ø       While walking on the street, you can come across any type of unwarranted situation like fire, riot, loot, brawl etc. resist the impulse to be a spectator and shield yourself against the action.
Ø       If by any chance you are witness to a crime send for help, don’t be of help. You should attempt to be of assistance personally only if you are confident that there is no personal danger to you.

Security Tips for Senior Citizens

General
Ø       Do not display large amounts of cash in public.
Ø       If driving, plan your route carefully, travel on main roads, and use maps. Map two routes for each auto trip. One should be the quickest route, the other the most scenic. Avoid traveling during night hours.
Ø       While traveling, try to travel in groups. Even if you have to travel all by yourself, do not publicize the fact that you are traveling all by yourself.
Ø       Have your car serviced and tires checked before leaving. Keep car doors locked at all times. Wear seat belts. Don't drive too long.

On the Street:
Ø       Avoid dark, deserted or isolated routes.
Ø       Whether you’re passenger or a driver, keep car doors locked. Be particularly alert in parking lots and garages. Park near an entrance.
Ø       Keep your money in several pockets instead of one pocket. Carry your purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
Ø       Sit close to the driver or near the exit while riding the bus, train, or subway.
Ø       If someone or something makes you uneasy, trust your instincts and leave.
Ø       Project an image of self-confidence while walking.
Ø       If you fell that you are being followed, cross the street.
Ø       Never accept a ride from a stranger or unknown person.
Ø       Don't get out of the car if there are suspicious individuals nearby. Drive away. If you suspect someone is following you, drive to the nearest service station, restaurant, or business and call the police or sheriff's department. If you believe it is unsafe to get out of your car, honk your horn and flash your lights to draw attention.
Ø       Never pick up hitchhikers. Do not stop to offer help to a stranded motorist. Go to a telephone booth and call for assistance.

At Home:
Ø       Install good locks on doors and windows. Use them! Do not hide keys in mailboxes and planters or under doormats. Instead, leave an extra set of keys with a trusted neighbor or friend.
Ø       Never let a stranger into your home.
Ø       Ask for photo identification from service or delivery people before letting them in. If you are the least bit worried call the company to verify. Always ask for the identification badge or card before you allow a service technician into the house.
Ø       Do not let people know on the phone that you are alone.
Ø       Keep all emergency telephone numbers close to the telephone.
Ø       Leave a light on while you are out. Use a different light each time you are out.
Ø       If possible install a burglar alarm.
Ø       Install a “Magic Eye” on your main door.
Ø       If you are going to be away for more that one day, do not keep clothes hanging on the clotheslines.
Ø       Know the telephone numbers of your neighbors.

Tips for Earthquake Preparedness

1. Check your home for potential hazards:

Ø       Repair defective electrical wiring, leaky gas pipes, and inflexible connections. Bolt down water heaters and gas appliances.
Ø       Know where and how to shut off electricity, gas, and water at main switches and valves. Check with local utility companies for instructions.
Ø       Place large and heavy objects on lower shelves. Securely fasten shelves to walls. Brace or anchor high or top-heavy objects.
Ø       Store bottled goods, glass, china, and other breakables in low or closed cabinets.
Ø       Fasten overhead lighting fixtures, such as chandeliers, with wiring or an anchoring sill.
Ø       Repair deep plaster cracks in ceilings and foundations.

2. Have on hand:

Ø       A flashlight and battery-powered radio in case power is cut off.
Ø       A supply of drinking water and nonperishable foods that may be prepared without cooking.
Ø       A fire extinguisher and first-aid kit.
Ø       Teach responsible family members how to turn off electricity, gas, and water at main switches   and valves

Safety Tips during Earthquakes:

Ø       During an earthquake, assume the "earthquake position". If you are indoors, drop down to the floor in the "earthquake position". Make yourself small, with your knees on the floor, and your head tucked down toward the floor. Take cover under a sturdy desk or table. Place one hand on a leg of the table (to keep it from shifting away from you) and one hand over the back of your neck. Alternatively get down low next to a solid sofa or armchair and cover your head and neck with a pillow. Stay clear of windows, fireplaces, wood stoves, and heavy furniture or appliances that may fall over. Stay inside to avoid being injured by falling glass or building parts.

Ø       If you are indoors, stay indoors; if you are outdoors, stay there. During earthquakes, most injuries occur as people are entering or leaving buildings. If indoors, take cover under a heavy desk, table, bench, in a supported doorway, or along an inside wall. Stay away from glass and fireplaces. Do not use candles, matches, or other flame either during or after the tremor because of possible gas leaks. Douse all fires.

Ø       If in a high-rise building, get under a desk or similar heavy furniture. Do not dash for exits because stairways may be broken or jammed with people. Never use elevators because power may fail.

Ø       Pick a safe place where things will not fall on you.

Ø       Never use the elevator to move out of a building. Use the stairs instead.

Ø       If outdoors, move away from buildings and power lines and streetlights. The greatest danger from falling debris is just outside doorways and close to outer walls.

Ø       If in a moving car, stop as quickly as safety permits, but stay in the vehicle and keep low. A car may jiggle violently on its springs, but it is a good place to stay until the shaking stops. When you resume driving, watch for hazards created by the earthquake, such as fallen or falling objects, downed electrical wires, or broken or undermined roadways.

Ø       Most important: STAY CALM. Think through the consequences of any action you take.

After an Earthquake

Ø       Be prepared for additional earthquake tremors, or "aftershocks." Although most of these are smaller than the main shock, some may be large enough to cause additional damage or bring weakened structures down.

Ø       Check for injuries. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.

Ø       Turn on your radio or television to get the latest emergency information from local authorities.

Ø       Check your utilities. The earthquake may have broken gas, electrical, and water lines. If you smell gas, open windows and shut off the main gas valve. Then leave the building and report the leakage to authorities. Do not reenter the building until a utility official says it is safe. If electrical wiring is shorting out, shut off current at the main meter box. If water pipes are damaged, shut off the supply at the main valve.

Ø       Check to see that sewage lines are intact before using sanitary facilities.

Ø       Do not touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed lines.

Ø       Immediately clean up spilled medicines, drugs, flammable liquids, and other potentially hazardous materials.

Ø       Use the telephone only for genuine emergency calls. Do not spread rumors; they often do great harm after disasters

Ø       Stay away from damaged areas. Your presence could hamper emergency relief efforts, and you could be putting yourself in personal danger. Cooperate fully with public-safety officials. Respond to requests for volunteer assistance from police and fire-fighting, civil-defense, and relief organizations, but do not go into damaged areas unless your assistance has been requested.