Note from Dr. Clint Van Zandt

Hi, I just wanted to take a moment to reach out to you personally in order to thank-you for visiting LiveSecure.org. Your concern for the safety of yourself and your loved ones is admirable. Remember to bookmark LiveSecure.org for important security advice and products, as well as for my weekly crime blog: The Profilers Perspective where I discuss the latest crime news. I sincerely believe you all play a vital role in helping to protect children by sharing our security advice and products with your family and friends.

Again, thanks for your patronage and please stay safe.

Dr. Clinton R. Van Zandt

Monthly Safety Tip

In light of the recent events in CA and OR, it’s important for parents and caregivers to remember to speak with their children and teens about what to do – if they’re approached by a “stranger”. Especially during the upcoming summer months when kids are often playing outside unsupervised.

The shocking reality is:

• There are over 500,000 registered sex offender in the US and countless unknown predators.
• The typical sexual predator will assault 117 times before being caught
• The re-arrest rate for convicted child molesters is 52%
• 1 of 5 girls and 1 of 6 boys will be molested before their 18th birthday

The following 3 safety tips will help open a dialog with your children. It’s not the easiest conversation, and at first it may be a little uncomfortable, but it may help save your child’s life in a worst-case situation.

1. Do not get into any car unless your parents personally tell you to. Also, stay away from anyone who follows you on foot or in a car. You should not go near any car to speak with the people inside.
2. Adults and other people should not ask you for help; they should ask other adults. Never go with a stranger; not to help with directions or to look for a “lost puppy” or for any other reason, even if they tell you that your mother or father is in trouble and that they’ll take you to them.
3. Quickly get away from anyone who tries to take you somewhere. Yell or scream: “This person is not my father (or mother).” Practice a “Special” yell that is loud and long that tells a person trying to harm you: “I know what to do! I’m not an easy victim!” It also tells everyone within the sound of your voice, “I need help!” Don’t panic and freeze in an emergency. When you yell, you take in a deep breath that gets oxygen and energy to your brain and muscles. Your yell gives you courage, and will help get your feet moving to run away!

For more information on this topic please see our New DVD on Stranger Safety. One of the most important things you can do to protect your children is to speak with them about potentially dangerous situations. This Emmy Award-winning DVD can help. It keeps kids engaged while introducing them to 7 easy-to-remember “Hot Tips.”

To read more safety tips from Dr. Van Zandt on topics from children to international travel go to the Security Advice section of LiveSecure.org.

Next Month Tip: Surviving a Home Invasion

FamilyWatchDog.us

We’d also like to announce our recent partnership with Familywatchdog.us: The nation’s foremost sexual predator database and free mapping website. You can link to their website from LiveSecure.org for important information on identifying sexual predators in your own neighborhood.

Click here to visit familywatchdog.us