Children should be instructed never to approach a stranger in a car, even if offers are made of money, candy, gifts or a ride. They also should be taught not to accompany strangers who invite them for a walk or want to play with them. Children should know that such incidents should be reported to parents, teachers or police officers, and should be encouraged to remember what the stranger looked like and what was said.
Hitchhiking is something your child should never do! It is equally as dangerous for boys as it is for girls. Children should be taken to and from a destination by a parent or other responsible adult. Children should walk alone only if they have learned the rules of safe walking, including obeying signs and signals, crossing only at corners, and walking on sidewalks whenever available.
Instruct your children to tell you where they are going, who they are going with, and when they will return. They should know they must inform a parent or guardian of any change in plans.
Lock doors and windows in your home and never indicate to strangers when a child may be home alone. Children should never open a door to a stranger. When alone, children should inform telephone callers that a parent cannot come to the phone at that time, but that a message can be left and will be relayed.
Discuss with your child what indecent exposure is and what to do should anyone commit it in their presence. It should be emphasized to children that only doctors, nurses or a parent or guardian are permitted to touch them in a personal manner. Should anyone else try to touch them in such a way they should get away as fast as possible. They should be encouraged to tell you what happened. Always take time to listen to your child. In most sexual assault or abuse cases, the offender is known to the child or the child's family. Do not dismiss what your child tells you as an exaggeration or as the product of an active imagination. Check out all information, and take action when necessary!
Shortcuts through deserted or secluded areas can be dangerous to your child and should be avoided. Children should stay in a group and play in open areas where parents or other responsible adults can observe them easily.
Always discuss with your children any incident which disturbs or confuses them. Encourage them to confide in you, and never make them feel embarrassed or ashamed when they do so.
Familiarize yourself and your children with your neighborhood. Show them places where they can go if they need immediate help, such as a neighbor's home, a friend's house, or a Block Parent's residence.
Exercise care in selecting a reliable babysitter. Inform the sitter how you can be reached in case of an emergency. Be concerned about the safety of teenage babysitters and ensure they have adequate transportation, especially late at night.
Teach each child his or her full name, address and telephone number. Instruct the youngster in the proper use of the telephone and how to call 911 in any emergency situation. A child also should know the name, address and telephone number of a family friend or relative who can be contacted in event of an emergency.
Young children should be accompanied into public restrooms. They should not be permitted to loiter near restroom areas nor speak to strangers.
Timely reporting of missing or runaway children is important. Fairfax County has no required waiting period before a missing child report can be accepted by the Police Department. If your child is missing, try to remain as calm as possible, and help police officers by suggesting friends' homes, play areas or other locations where your child might be.
Items of clothing should not be monogrammed with a child's name. This could encourage undesirable familiarity by a stranger.
Photographs, dental records and fingerprints are valuable identification aids. Be prepared to make these items readily available to a police investigator, should your child be missing or run away.
Safety tips like these can be used to increase your child's awareness. Involve yourself, maintain open lines of communication, and be sure your child understands what to do to help ensure his or her own safety.
VOLUNTARY FINGERPRINTING PROGRAM FOR CHILD IDENTIFICATION
In response to citizen concerns and requests from parents, the Fairfax County Police Department conducts a voluntary fingerprinting program for children on a periodic basis. Dates, times and locations are publicized through the news media. Any child under 18 years of age who resides in Fairfax County may be fingerprinted, but the child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The purpose of this fingerprinting program is to provide a means of identifying missing children from Fairfax County. The fingerprints will not be used for criminal identification purposes. Immediately after a child is fingerprinted, the completed fingerprint card is returned to the parent or guardian for safekeeping. It should be kept with a current photograph of the child and the child's dental records in a safe place with other valuable documents.
Maintain an updated, short video of your child to aid in searching for your child if they should be missing.
If the child is missing or runs away, the Fairfax County Police Department should be notified by calling 703-691-2131. The responding police officer should be provided with a recent photograph of the child and any additional information requested. The fingerprint card should be kept readily available for use by police investigators.
TAKE A BITE OUT OF CRIME
CALL YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR CRIME PREVENTION SERVICES
The Fairfax County Police Department offers a wide range of crime prevention services to citizens. They include steps you can take to avoid being the victim of a crime against property. The services are free and appointments may be made by calling the Police District Station nearest your home.
Mount Vernon District Station
703-360-8400
2511 Parkers Lane
McLean District Station
703-556-7750
1437 Balls Hill Road
Mason District Station
703-256-8035
6507 Columbia Pike
Reston District Station
703-478-0904
12000 Bowman Towne Drive
Franconia District Station
703-922-0889
6121 Franconia Road
West Springfield District Station
703-644-7377
6140 Rolling Road
Fair Oaks District Station
703-591-0966
12300 Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway
Sully District Station
703-814-7000
4900 StoneCroft Boulevard
Return to Top of Menu
