Fight rumors, remember to keep children safe

Courtesy of the Ramstein School Liaison Office

There have been rumors of recent attempted child abductions in Waldfischbach and Linden. Though these incidents have been determined to be unsubstantiated, this is a good opportunity to reiterate both the importance of controlling gossip and rumors and remaining vigilant about child safety.

 If you hear or see information from unofficial sources that you feel is noteworthy, you should immediately contact a responsible agency. Forwarding or repeating information which has not come through command channels is detrimental to the mission, especially when the story is unsubstantiated and involves children. The unnecessary worry and distraction this type of false concern engenders is counterproductive. In the case of children’s issues, the appropriate agency is the School Liaison Office (480-9374, 435msg.slo@ramstein.af.mil).

 Commanders at all levels join the entire community in wanting to do everything possible to keep children safe both on and off base. All of us should be alert for children in unsafe situations, whether it’s risk-taking behavior, possible use of controlled substances, or lack of proper adult supervision at bus stops, playgrounds and parks.

Additionally, supervisors should be as flexible as possible when an issue involves child safety.

 Parents should keep in mind that command directives, such as the KMC Child Supervision Policy, are the absolute minimum requirements. Children shouldn’t be left alone in unfamiliar and/or isolated environments, even if the alternative is being late to work.

Friends, destinations and routes should be well known to parents. If a child has a cell phone, proper emergency numbers should be preprogrammed into them (i.e. X110).

Few parents would ever willingly endanger their children, but hectic schedules and routines can lead to bad habits and unintended consequences. Please take the time to be careful and regularly reinforce good lessons in yourself and your children.

 The 435th Air Base Wing School Liaison Office has created a “Kid Safety” mnemonic device which may help some children remember a few of the good lessons:

Know where you are.
Instincts can guide you away from danger.
Defend yourself and others.
Scream if someone grabs you.
Alertness discourages criminals.
Friends together make everyone safer.
Exit if you feel scared.
Tell an adult about strangers.
You can keep you safe.