There are approximately 200 million registered firearms in the United States. 1,500 children are injured each year by the accidental discharge of a firearm in the home. There are several steps you can take to ensure a gun does not end up in your child’s hands. Continue reading Keep Your Kids Safe From Firearms In The Home »

Camping can be a great way to spend time with your family, but the most important thing that you will need to remember is to be prepared.

Kids Health warns that not being properly prepared for a sudden change in weather, or becoming lost are two of the most common problems experienced by campers. Before leaving for your trip, be sure to carry the right clothing for the weather, and learn as much as you can about map reading and recognizing your location. Continue reading Keeping It Safe When You’re Camping »

Any time you visit a crowded shopping center, you and your belongings can become vulnerable if you aren’t paying attention. Thieves thrive in crowds. More people means more wallets, purses, and expensive items accessible from unsuspecting shoppers.

Be careful to protect yourself, your children and your belongings in any public place. Most importantly, if you’re with your kids, teach them to go to a store clerk if you get separated. With a lot of moving bodies around, would-be kidnappers could easily make a quick, easy and anonymous getaway. Here are more shopping safety tips from the Jacksonville, Florida Sheriff’s Office:

• Shop during daylight hours. If you must shop at night, go with a companion.
• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry that could attract thieves.
• Men should carry a wallet in a front pocket. Women should be sure to hold a purse close to the body and on the inside if walking in a pair.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Use checks or credit cards.
• Don’t overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have a clear sightline.
• Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. Any time of the year, con artists may try various methods to distract you.
• Park in a well-lighted space, and be sure to lock the car, close the windows, and take the keys with you when you leave.

Also, many retailers offer online shoppers surprising sales which could save you time and money. But as with anything you do online, be careful where you enter personal information, like addresses and credit card numbers. For more tips on online shopping, check out the National Consumers League’s PDF on Internet purchasing safety.

Since launching in 1998, the CyberTipline has received over 500,000 reports of suspected child exploitation. These tips have helped authorities in nabbing monsters like Richard Goldberg and Kenneth Freeman.

According to the experts from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the internet makes it possible for more pedophiles to share exploitative images and to perpetuate a seemingly endless cycle of abuse: each time an image is shared online, that child is victimized again.

These crimes leave more of a footprint than people realize.