These are horrifying statistics and as a parent or guardian, if you were not concerned about the chances of your child being abducted before, you should be concerned now! You should also be asking yourself, "What can I do to protect my child from these unspeakable harms?"

It's every parent's nightmare, and it's just happened to you. Who do you call first? Should you go out looking? Or, is it better to just stay at home and wait? When a child turns up missing, time is critical. Knowing what to do, and when to do it, can mean the difference between finding the child alive or dead (or not at all!) If only you had taken just ten or fifteen minutes to discuss preventative safety with your child beforehand, he or she would never have gone missing in the first place.

Young children should: be taught that its all right to say "No" to an adult; never get into anyone's car without your permission; turn and run in the opposite direction. Teens should: run home or go to the nearest public place and yell for help if they are being followed; never hitchhike; learn to recognize suspicious behavior and remember a description. Parents should: avoid clothing with your child's name on it; always accompany your child in a public place; keep an up to date color photograph of your child; a medical and dental history; and have your child fingerprinted.

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Part 5 of 5 - Radiation Threat. A radiation threat, commonly referred to as a "dirty bomb", is the use of common explosives to spread radioactive materials over a targeted area. This is not to be confused with a nuclear blast. The force of the explosion and radioactive contamination will be more localized than that of a nuclear blast. While the blast will be immediately obvious, the presence of radiation will not be clearly defined until trained personnel with specialized equipment are on the scene. As with any radiation, try to limit your exposure. It is important to avoid breathing radiological dust that may be released into the air.

If you are outside and there is an explosion, or authorities warn of a radiation release nearby, cover your nose and mouth and quickly go inside, pick a building that has not been damaged. If you are already inside check to see if your building has been damaged. If your building is stable, stay where you are. Now close all windows and doors; turn off the air conditioners, heaters or other ventilation systems. If you are inside and there is an explosion near where you are, or you are warned of a radiation release inside, cover nose and mouth and go outside immediately. Look for a building or other shelter that has not been damaged and quickly get inside.

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WANTED ... two representatives from each town in DuPage County to fill vancancies on the Crime Stoppers board. REQUIREMENTS ... must be a United States citizen, a DuPage County resident, 18 years of age or older, pass an indepth background check by the DuPage County Sheriff's Office, must breathe/live/eat/sleep/dream Crime Stoppers, have access to a computer with electronic mail and make a board meeting on the fourth Thursday of every month.

If you meet the criteria, Crime Stoppers wants you. Write dupagecrime@aol.com for an application.

See Something - Hear Something - Say Something, if it makes you wonder call the Crime Stopper number 1- 800-424-9119.

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