Smart911 Offers Tips to Keep Children Safer on AMBER Alert Awareness Day

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., Jan. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Tuesday, January 13 will mark the 19th anniversary of AMBER Alert Awareness Day, which honors the day nine year old Amber Hagerman was abducted while riding her bicycle in front of her family's home in Arlington, Texas, and found murdered two days later.  In recognition of this day, Smart911, the national public safety service, is encouraging parents to do three things to keep their children safer.

Smart911 recommends to parents:

• Determine a password with your children.  If you ever need to send someone to pick them up or when an emergency happens, they can ask that person for the password to ensure it is safe to go with them. 
• Be aware of how much information about your child is available. Do not add their names to backpacks or post information about them, including name, address or school on social media websites which can be viewed publically. 
• Create a free, private and secure Safety Profile for your household at www.smart911.com which can include current photos and physical descriptions of your children. If a child goes missing and a family member calls 9-1-1, their Safety Profile will be displayed to the dispatcher allowing them to share the child's photo and description to responders in the field immediately.  

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the first three hours are the most critical when trying to locate a missing child. When a child is reported missing it can take an hour or more just to distribute a current photo to law enforcement officers in the field.

A mother in Arkansas experienced the benefits offered by Smart911 when she received a call that her daughter did not get off the bus at daycare. Frantic, she dialed 9-1-1 and her family's Smart911 Safety Profile appeared, including her daughter's photo and description. The call taker was able to use that information to send deputies to the scene immediately. The actual 9-1-1 call can be heard here: http://youtu.be/7Nfwol3Zi8k

"As a parent, having a child go missing can be the most terrifying moment: you may not be able to think straight, remember critical information or even communicate effectively," said Tom Axbey, CEO of Rave Mobile Safety, creators of Smart911. "We've seen firsthand how Smart911 can assist in this process, bringing immediate peace-of-mind to a parent by knowing their child's information is already in the hands of law enforcement. Preparation is often the difference in creating a positive outcome. We encourage families to be more proactive in preparing by following these helpful tips and creating a Safety Profile."

Introduced more than four years ago by Rave Mobile Safety, the trusted software partner for campus and public safety, Smart911 is active in 38 states and more than 1,000 communities.  It has been credited with positively impacting emergency situations across the U.S., including the missing child case in Arkansas, and saving lives, such as a heart attack victim in Nashville and a house fire victim in Michigan.

About Rave Mobile Safety
Rave Mobile Safety is the most trusted software partner for campus and public safety. Used by leading primary and secondary schools, institutes of higher education and state and local agencies, the award-winning portfolio of Rave Panic Button, Rave Alert, Rave Guardian, Eyewitness, Smart911 and SmartPrepare enables millions to feel safe, secure and connected. Rave Mobile Safety is headquartered in Framingham, MA. For more information, please visit http://www.ravemobilesafety.com.

Contact:
Marty Querzoli
Davies Murphy Group
Public Relations for Rave Mobile Safety
[email protected]
(781) 418-2433

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SOURCE Rave Mobile Safety