This Child Safety Message
is posted with gratitude to
and permission from the author,
Marc Klaas, also known as "PollyDad."
The Klaas Kids Foundation ~ In Memory of Polly Klaas
Message From Marc
Alex asked his mother if he could go across the street to play in the park. Mom said, "Sure. As long as you take your brother with you." Since Christmas day was overcast and cold, the children bundled up in their new jackets and hats and went to the park with armfuls of model airplanes, baseballs and bats.
About thirty minutes later, while the children were happily engaged playing with their toys, a nice looking man in a Santa hat, driving a shiny red truck called the children over. "Will you kids help me find my lost puppy?"
"No," Alex said. "We don't know you."
"I'll give you twenty dollars," he said, proffering a wad of bills.
"Don't go," Alex said to his little brother. "We don't know him."
The man persisted, so the children grabbed their toys and walked through the park towards their home. When they got near the street the man in the truck was waiting for them. "Will you kids help me find my puppy?" he asked.
Alex took Robert's hand, pulled him close and whispered in his ear, "Come with me. We'll make an obstacle course through the park so that he can't follow us in his truck." As they ran away, seven-year-old Robert's cap fell off and the man left his truck to retrieve it. He called after the retreating seven-year-old, "Little boy, come back and get your hat". Robert tried to pull away, but Alex held his hand and pulled him along.
Alex told his brother to "Stay with me," as they dodged and parried their way through the park. Eventually, they arrived at a corner of the park far from their home. The boys crossed the street and approached a house that had children they did not know playing in the front yard. Alex asked the kids if he could talk to their mother and they all went house where Alex called his mom on the telephone. A few days later Alex saw the man in the shiny red truck driving through the neighborhood. Now he is afraid to play in his front yard.
I think Alex is a hero because his brother is safe and he wasn't conned by the man's lure. Alex's experience and response demonstrates many of the important safety rules we should be teaching our children.
Before going to the park Alex checked with his mom first.
More than anything else, Alex used his brain. He based his decisions upon the appropriateness of action. This is a story from which we can all learn. Alex's mother talks to her children about safety on a regular basis and it is obvious that these talks have served her boys well.
Christmas is fast approaching and this is a good time to reinforce simple but important safety rules with our children. During the holiday season, we tend to let our guard down and embrace the brotherhood of mankind. While most people are good and would never hurt a child, as we all know, certain people cannot and should not be trusted. Have a happy and safe Holiday Season and please continue to support the important work of the KlaasKids Foundation.
PollyDad
Our sincere appreciation to Marc Klaas for that great child safety story.
I learned another safety tip for parents with their children in crowded public areas.
While in an airport restroom on a business trip, I heard a mother saying to her two young daughters, "Sing to me, so I'll know where you are!"
Both little girls burst out with song, -- and continued to sing and giggle at the top of their voices until they left!
Not only could the mother hear her daughters, -- it also gave everyone else a big smile!!
I wish I could give credit to the mother who was so lovingly safeguarding her children, -- but I did not get the opportunity to meet and thank her.
Nancy Faulkner
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