Have a Code Word

When Someone Must Pick Your Child Up in an Emergency

We spend so much time teaching children not to talk to strangers that we sometimes overlook the fact that this can cause complications in an emergency situation. If you need to send a trusted friend of the family or relative to pick your child up from school or another setting due to an unexpected emergency, this person may be a stranger to your son or daughter. Many things could happen to cause this situation including an unexpected trip to the emergency room, an accident, and so forth. For this situation it helps to teach your child a "Code Word" which only you and your child knows. It should not be something that is easily guessed, and your child needs to be taught that it is a secret, one they cannot tell anyone else. When your trusted friend arrives, they tell your child that you sent them and they say the code word. In today's complex society, this extra precaution can help with dealing with strangers. Ideally, you will be able to call the child's school or daycare center, as well. However, you should be aware that these institutions will likely not release your child unless you have already made arrangements in advance. With the complexity of family structures and custody issues, even a biological parent could be refused by the school without advanced notification. Regarding the code word, once it has been used it must be changed. Talk to your children about strangers and what you would do in an emergency situation. Until next time...Be Safe!

Grand Master Brandon Richards, Ph. D.
Seattle Tae Kwon Do

www.seattletaekwondo.com