Schmidt’s reminder comes as National Missing Children’s Day is observed this Saturday, May 25.
“Communication is key to giving our children the tools to stay safe,” Schmidt said. “It is important to regularly take time to review safety plans and remind our kids of ways to stay safe.”
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is spearheading a campaign called “Take 25,” which encourages parents to take 25 minutes to visit with their children about personal safety. Parents can visit www.take25.org to see tips on talking to their children about staying safe at home, at school, outside and on the Internet.
Schmidt also reminded parents of the importance of keeping identifying information on children up-to-date in the event a child does become missing.
Having an identity kit with the child’s fingerprints, height, weight, and a current photo can make it easier to quickly locate a missing child. Schmidt’s office, in partnership with Cox Communications, will distribute free child identification kits and other important child safety information next week in Pittsburg, Manhattan, Hutchinson and Newton.
For more information on these events, visit the Attorney General’s website at www.ag.ks.gov.
The Kansas Attorney General’s Office is the coordinating agency for the state’s Amber Alert Program. Kansas established an Amber Plan in September 2002.
The statewide alert system is used to deter potential abductors and quickly mobilize citizens to contact authorities with helpful information when an alert is issued. Kansans can sign up to receive Amber Alerts by email by visiting www.ksamber.org.
To receive alerts on Facebook, “like” the Kansas Amber Alert Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AMBERalertKS.
May 25 was first designated as National Missing Children’s Day by President Ronald Reagan in 1983. It serves as an annual reminder of the efforts to reunite missing children with their families.
There are currently 2,762 children listed in the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children database, including 21 from Kansas. To view the database, visit www.missingkids.com.
