Your Health

What Actor Tim Kang Wants You To Know Could Save Your Child's Life

Posted 6/8/2011

Tim Kang

(NAPSI)--As a new dad, I am more aware than ever of the dangers that children face and understand how parents would do anything possible to keep their children safe. That's why I have partnered with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) to share important information about what parents can do to keep children safe.

An analysis of more than 4,000 attempted abductions over the past five years found that children were at greatest risk going to and from school or school-related activities. Most predators, nearly all men, were driving a vehicle when they tried to abduct a child walking alone or riding a bicycle. The most common lure was offering a ride, typically to girls between the ages of 10 and 14, or trying to tempt them with candy and money or ask them to help look for a lost pet.

Here's the good news: It showed how children were able to get away. Those who escaped did something proactive instead of being passive or polite. They yelled, kicked, pulled away or attracted someone's attention. Or they simply walked or ran away. Children need to know that it is okay to say no to someone who may be acting nice to them.

Just spending a few minutes teaching your child about safety could mean the difference between life and death. That is why NCMEC's "Take 25" national public awareness campaign urges parents to take 25 minutes to talk to their children about safety. More information about Take 25 can be found at www.take25.org.

Every day, a staggering 2,000 children are reported missing. You can prevent your child from becoming a statistic. Teach kids to always take a friend when biking or walking or standing at the bus stop-and never take shortcuts. They should never accept a ride from anyone or money or gifts unless you have said it is okay.

NCMEC is a nonprofit organization that operates a toll-free 24-hour national missing children's hotline (800-THE-LOST). In its 26 years, it has assisted law-enforcement in the recovery of more than 161,000 children. Its CyberTipline has fielded more than 1 million reports of child sexual exploitation and its Child Victim Identification Program has analyzed more than 45 million pornography images and videos. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.missingkids.com.

• Mr. Kang is a sought-after and versatile actor in both television and film. He can currently be seen on the hit CBS drama "The Mentalist" where his character "Kimball Cho," the straight-arrow investigator, has emerged as a fan favorite.

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