Tips for keeping your children from being kidnap victims

It's a scary reminder for parents. Kids can be gone in an instant. Tulsa Police's child exploitation unit has some tips for parents to help keep their children from becoming a victim. <br><br>News

Wednesday, February 4th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

It's a scary reminder for parents. Kids can be gone in an instant. Tulsa Police's child exploitation unit has some tips for parents to help keep their children from becoming a victim.

News on 6 anchor Scott Thompson says a couple of summers ago; an undercover police officer showed the News on 6 just how easy it is to lure kids away from a playground. â€œNormally I hook em up to this leash right here and I donâ€™t know where he's gone will you help me find him, well come on lets go see if he's down this way."

Predators will use lost puppies, candy and the Internet as bait to kidnap children. The most important step is talking to your children about what to do if a stranger approaches them.

Tulsa Police say itâ€™s never too early to have that conversation. Randy Lawmaster with TPDâ€™s Child Exploitation Unit: "You don't need to frighten your children to the point that they don't want to go anywhere. But they need to be aware that there is danger.â€

Many people think of kidnapping in terms of smaller children. But young adults are becoming a prime target and predators use different lures and the Internet to go after them.