Q. How can I find out if there is a child predator or sex offender in my area?
A. Visit the Family Watchdog Website. All searches are free to you. (Note: We have no control over the advertisements on the Website. If you respond to any, please use caution.)
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Q. I just watched an old movie called "Home Alone". At what age should I leave my child home alone?
A. Although different states have their own guidelines - the average being 12 years - you should look first to your child's responsibility and mature nature.
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Q. How long should I wait to call the police if my child is missing?
A. There is no time limit on a missing child. Contact your local law enforcement officials as soon as possible.
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Q. What information about my child should I give the police?
A. You should be prepared to give them your child's most recent photo, description of his/her physical characteristics, medical and/or dental information, fingerprints or a DNA sample.
For a free Child ID Kit to print out click here. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader (also free) to view the document.
The kit should be kept up-to-date and within easy access. The child's photograph should be no more than 6 months old.
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Q. What are the lures of the predator?
A. There are four common lures used by predators:
1. Today's Internet is the most dangerous of lures, since the predator steps into the child's life through cyberspace, pretending to be someone of a similar age and interests. He draws the child in with kindness and grooms him/her until, when the time is right, arranges a meeting. By the time the child realizes the person on the Internet is not the same person in real life, it is often too late.
2. Playing on a child's love for animals, the predator approaches the child and asks that he/she help find a lost puppy. Though it might seem a kind thing for the child to do, it is not appropriate for an adult to ask a child for help.
3. Predators look to approach, or lure in, a child walking alone. The best way to prevent this type of action is to teach your child to practice safety in numbers. Predators tend to steer clear of children walking in twos or more.
4. The least successful lure today due to increased awareness by children - but nevertheless still in use - is where the predator sticks his head out of a car or truck window and asks the child for directions to someplace he/she, having no driver's license, would have no reason to know. Then baits him/her into the vehicle with candy, etc. before pouncing.
To prevent your child - which may be a teen on the Internet - from falling prey to these and other dangerous lures, please read our Child Molestation section.
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Q. How else can I keep my child safe? I've been reading about children who have died from preventable injuries at home or while riding in a car. I don't want that to happen to mine. What should I do?
A. We suggest you visit Safe Kids USA Though not affiliated with Doc Jim's Help Page!, we have signed the pledge and support their work.
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