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America's Most Wanted

Q & A With John Walsh: Missing 6-Year-Old Reminds Us All, Never Let Your Guard Down

Posted on May 04, 2012 - 02:02:01 by

Lifetime Moms Staff

Lifetime Moms Staff

 

John Walsh has brought the 25th season of America's Most Wanted to Lifetime!  You asked, and he answered.  Below are tips and thoughts from the host himself.  Don't miss the show, Fridays at 9pm/8c


1.  How can parents ensure this will never happen in their own home.  Seems like these parents weren't careless, didn't leave doors or windows open or unlocked.

 

John Walsh: Unfortunately, you can never say never. I didn’t think my son could get abducted and murdered from a Hollywood, Florida, mall—but he did. My best advice to parents is to talk to your children, give them an emergency plan. Tell your children if they are ever approached in their home or room by someone they aren’t expecting, especially in the middle of the night, to scream. Of course, take precautions and have windows and doors locked, especially for rooms that are ground level. Also, set up a home alarm system so that if a window is broken or pried open, the alarm will wake you.

 

2.  What's the first thing you should do when you notice that your child is not where he or she should be?

 

John Walsh: The first thing to do when you notice your child isn’t where they should be is to call your local police and report them missing. Second, call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (1-800-the-lost) and report your child missing. Let the Center advise you of your next steps, these are true professionals that will walk you through the process. Another suggestion that I advocate regularly is to get your child the 5 Star Urgent Responder. This can be clipped to their backpack, placed in their pocket, or kept by their nightstand. Any child can get help with a touch of a button or tracked if not where they are supposed to be. It’s a wonderful tool.

 


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