Whether they are your kids or grandkids or even a friends kids or grandkids.This is IMPORTANT!!!............... If you have small children or grandchildren think about this. The way things are today, it sounds like a good idea. NO ONE expects their child will be kidnapped. BUT they are. Also, please scroll on down the page for some safety tips for parents.

HOMEMADE DNA KIT:

Collecting your child's DNA can be simple and free. Please follow carefully all directions. In the event your child is missing, please give this kit to your local law enforcement or the FBI.

WHAT YOU NEED:

* 2 heavy duty zip-lock freezer bags,
* Latex gloves,
* Q-Tip-type swabs,
* Fingernail clipper,
* Plain white paper.

* Cut 20 or so head hairs close to the scalp and wrap in paper. (You do not need the hair root)

* Clip fingernails and wrap in paper

* To collect buccal swabs ( From inside the child's mouth), follow this carefully. Make sure the child doesn't eat or drink anything for about 1/2 hour prior.

TAKING SAMPLE:

* Wear latex gloves Collect sample by rolling swab around inside the cheek forabout 10 seconds. Place on paper to air dry (30-60 minutes)

* Take 2 samples from each cheek and air dry.

* Place 4 dried Q-tips in zip-lock bag.

* Place hair samples, fingernails and Q-tip baggy in second zip-lock bag.

* Label bag with: the child's name, date of collection and who took the sample.

* Store in freezer.

DNA Sample will keep for many years, maybe forever. These instructions came from Special Agent Joseph Errera, a forensic expert at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. For more information on missing and exploited children, contact:
The Tommy Foundation at 541-535-5184

SAFETY TIPS FOR PARENTS

This is by no means an all inclusive list, just a jumping off point to make you think and help you keep your children safe!

A basic guideline to use and help a parent in these dangerous times of ours. Parenthood has never been easy, and in this day and age, where we have pedifiles, child molesters, rapists,child porn and murderers, it is even harder...

1)The number one tip is to NEVER leave a child unattended. And I mean NEVER, not even for a "minute or two". A toddler can dissappear in the blink of an eye! You would be surprised at how quickly they can leave your sight and be grabbed by a stranger, who may not have the best of intentions (read Amy Sue's Story).

2) Be sure all doors and windows are locked and secure! Two and three year olds can open doors that are not locked! And they can crawl or fall out of an open, unsecure window. And six or seven year olds can dissapear even faster!

3) NEVER, NEVER, NEVER leave a child in a locked car!!! In the summer a child can die in a matter of minutes in a closed locked car, from the heat. Another car could strike yours accidently and injure your child, if they are unattended, those injuries could be life threatening. A child molester only needs a moment to break a window and snatch an unattended child.

4)Do a COMPLETE background check and get good references for anyone you are considering as a babysitter. This can be done on-line, and sometimes is possible through your local police department. Once you do decide on a sitter, always be watchful for any changes in behaviour of your child after they have been alone with another person. If the child becomes withdrawn, is quieter than normal or shows signs or expresses fear of the person, or begs you not to be left alone with this person, or pleading with you not to go, these are all signs. Even if that person is a relative. If you do suspect abuse, check with your doctor asap!

5)Go on-line and do a search of your town or city and find out if there are any registered sex offenders living in your area.

6)If your child is getting too big for a stroller, buy one of those "child harnesses" for your child, and USE IT. At the mall, the grocery store, the park, anywhere that you will be walking with your child. I used one for my daughter, and yes, I got strange looks, but it was better than having someone grab her.

7)Teach your child their home phone number, their full name and address. Teach them how to use a phone to call 911 for help. You would be surprised at what a two year old can learn and remember! Also teach them YOUR name! "My mommie is Jane Smith" "My daddy is John Smith" "My name is Joe/Joan Smith"

8)Telling your child to never speak to a "stranger" is a good thing. However, do they knnow what a "stranger" is??? Explain it to them, in simple basic terms. Use examples when you are out and about.

9)When you are shopping, and someone you do not know approaches you to comment on "what a pretty little girl/handsome boy you have there" - Open your mouth and tell that person that you are teaching your child to NOT speak with strangers, and walk away! Use that opportunity to tell your child that was a stranger and "we don't talk to strangers, do we."

10)Teach your child what an emergency is. And teach your child about being lost. (lost is when you can't find mommy or daddy) and that is when you call 911 on the phone, that is an emergency. Teach them how to speak clearly on the phone and tell them they are lost! How to tell them their name and address. (Play phones are great for teaching this) but be sure to play the part - answer the phone as a 911 call center would.

11)Be viligant, always ask yourself, what if? What if he/she is left alone and decides to take a walk? What if I get distracted and he/she wanders off?

The following tips are from my friend Cheryl:

I suggest adding that maybe parents might want to consider homeschooling if they can as the schools are more dangerous these days. Seems I hear more about shootings, bullying, cyber-bullying, and suicides.

Also watch out for relatives. They are more likely to molest the children. I never trusted my husband's brothers (long story).

Watch out for computers. Pedophiles try to set up meetings with children thru chat. In fact a man that everyone thought was an angel drove 6 hours to Foley Alabama from Huntsville, AL to meet a 13 or 14 year old girl. He was sending nude images on the computer and doing obscene things on his computer before hand. He is serving a 2 year sentence. I think he should have gotten more. Keep that computer in the living room or kitchen where everyone can see who is doing what as they go around the house.

Teach your children to never answer the doorbells ever! Let the parents get it, Same with the telephone.

Watch out for people that gravitate toward children. Everything thinks they are wonderful but actually some may have bad plans. I remember I went to a family reunion. A very distant cousin kept at the playgrounds where all the children were just hanging around and watching being so sweet to them. We thought he was so great. Guess what they got him in prison now for child pornography. He was actually fantasizing or planning.

Be very wary of strangers wanting to babysit your children.

Thank you Cheryl, These are very good points!

Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Your child is your responsibility. Take your job as a parent/protector/provider seriously. It is the most important job you will ever have.

One more thing, as your children get older, your responsibility as a diligent parent does not go away. You are still accountable for their safety. Know where they are, who they are with, who their friends are and teach them about staying safe! You are not raising children, you are raising future adults, let them learn from your example.