Did you know?

• One in 47 children will become the victim of abduction or an attempted abduction.
  
  
• Most abductions are done by luring children to a vehicle rather than taking them by force, about half were 4 to 11 years old, and the others were 12 or older. 74% were girls.
  
  
• According to the Vanished Children's Alliance, every 40 seconds another child is missing or abducted.

Talking to your kids about safety-related issues can be difficult. Nevertheless, it is important for parents, guardians and teachers to understand that child preparation is the most effective tool for prevention and protection.

The Henning-Parker Foundation "Scrappy & Lumpy" Safety Awareness Program is designed to help!

 Scrappy    LUMPY       

Scrappy & Lumpy will visit schools, day care centers and community events to teach kids basic prevention techniques.

The Power Yell

Studies reveal screaming is viewed as bad behaviour, and that yelling "help" is no longer a powerful word when used alone.  It's simply perceived as playground language.  To draw attention to a potential abduction, Scrappy & Lumpy teach kids to yell words like "you're not my mom!" or "you're not my dad!" or "fire!" along with help.

Personal Safety Zone

Extend your arms as far as you can in any direction.  The space between you and the end of your fingers is referred to as your "personal safety zone".

Scrappy & Lumpy will teach kids how to protect their "personal safety zone" by taking two steps back if a stranger comes too close. If the stranger continues  to enter your personal safety zone then it's time to use your "power yell".

The Buddy System

Scrappy & Lumpy teach kids to always go places with one or more friends.  If you are unable to do so, stay close to a group of people.

Communicate!

Tell your mom, dad or others who care about you where you are going, with whom and for how long.  Always tell an adult if a stranger enters into your "personal safety zone".  Scrappy & Lumpy also teach kids to make up a secret code word with their parents and to never go with anyone who does not know this word.