How to Put Together a Child Safety Kit

No parent wants to think about her child running away, being abducting or going missing. Although there were a total of 348 missing children reports in 2012 alone, according to the Polly Klaas Foundation, 83 percent were recovered. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notes that one of the key tools in assisting law enforcement professionals is a child safety kit. While you don't want to ever have to use this type of kit, having it is essential in the event that the unthinkable happens.

Things You'll Need

  • Photo of your child
  • Pen
  • Hair samples from your child
  • Plastic zipper bag
  • Ink pad
  • White paper

Instructions

    • 1

      Take a current photo of your child. Snap a picture of your child that clearly shows his face in full color and portrays the way he looks in everyday situations. Avoid photos that are blurry, so far away that it is difficult to see your child, are in black and white, or don't capture the way your child looks during his normal play or school times. Take a new photo at least every six months, recommends the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Swap out the old photo for the new one.

    • 2

      Turn the photo over and write a description of your child on the back. Include your child's full name, nickname if applicable, date of birth, true hair and eye colors, current height and weight and any other identifying appearance attributes.

    • 3

      Fingerprint your child. Open a black stamp pad, and place your child's fingers -- one at a time, starting with her thumb -- into the ink. Press each finger onto a piece of white paper, labeling which digit it is -- such as right thumb or left ring finger.

    • 4

      Collect a sample of your child's hair as a DNA sample, making sure the root is still attached. Remove between 25 and 50 strands from your child's hairbrush and place them in a plastic zipper bag.

    • 5

      Ask the dentist for a copy of your child's dental X-rays. Replace the X-rays every two years with new ones.

    • 6

      Place all of the items into a shoe box or a plastic storage container.

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