116000-The European hotline

by Invinoveritas 10.07.12 17:41

With the support of the European Commission,
Daphne Programme.
By IDWEAVER Web Agency

We have put together a short guide with some safety tips for parents travelling with children and for families during the holidays. However, parents with specific questions are welcome to call us at 116 000.

How to stay safe depends greatly on the age of your child. The risk of a disappearance of a child is greater during the summer months, especially for younger children. Below are some helpful tips to stay safe and have fun all summer and the rest of the year.

The most important thing to remember in keeping your child safe is that constant communication with your child is the best way to ensure that they are safe from all dangers.

For young children, those unable to communicate yet, parents must be extra cautious on beaches and in crowded areas. Parents have to ensure that they have visual contact with their child at all times.
We must always have a "go-to spot" in case we lose each other.
There are bracelets with the 116 000 telephone number available for children, on which parents can also write their own telephone number. Ask the national 116 000 organization for such a bracelet.
We teach children that if they get lost, they are to look for a police officer. While in the past we used to say “uniform” we have changed this as there are many professions that now use uniforms (e.g. courier service) and this may confuse a young child. If they do not see a police officer, they should approach another mummy (a woman with a child) and tell her that they are lost. If they are near a telephone they should know that they can always call 116 000 and someone will come to help them.
We teach our children that at all times we must know where they are playing and who they are playing with. If they want to go off somewhere else, then they have to tell us first. Be sure to go over the rules with your children about whose homes they may visit when you’re not there and discuss the boundaries of where they may and may not go in the neighbourhood.
Make sure children know their full names, address, and telephone numbers and how to use the telephone. Be sure they know what to do in case of an emergency and how to reach your mobile number. As well, they must know that 116 000 is available for them to call.
Caution children to keep the door locked and not to open the door or talk to anyone who comes to the door when they are at home alone. If you have arranged for a friend or relative to stop by, make sure your children feel comfortable being alone with that person. Make certain they understand not to tell anyone who calls that they are at home alone.
Don't drop your children off at shops, cinemas, games arcades, or parks. These are not safe places for children to be alone. Make certain a responsible adult supervises your younger children at all times when they are outside and away from home.
From a young age we have to teach children that they have to respect the water and that they are never to go into the water without adult supervision or accompaniment. They are always to wear their floating devices when they are near the water. Make sure your children know to stay away from pools, canals, or other bodies of water without adult supervision.
Check out camps and other summer programmes before enrolling your children. See if a background screening check has been completed on the individuals working with the children. Make sure there will be adult supervision of your children at all times, and make sure you are made aware of all activities and field trips offered by the camp or programme.
http://www.hotline116000.eu/safetytips.html

This number was introduced on the 15th of February 2007, before Madeleine went missing,

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/188&format=HTML&aged=0&language=DE

unfortunately this link is only in german but with google translator one can get the gist

by **tigger** 10.07.12 19:03

Could someone enlighten me?

Kate said in the This Morning interview today that they (K and G) launched a European hotline. Is it this hotline she has has now abrogated (is that the right word?) i.e claimed for her own?

The Amber Alert or the equivalent European system was started in 2006, yet in 2008 they had the gumption to give a presentation to the MEPs in Brussels (neatly avoiding the UK during the rogatory interviews which were taking place at that time) and managed to give the impression the whole thing was their brainchild.

I would not be surprised it they'd been following this initiative right from the start in 2006 - even so, it's not theirs to claim.

by Invinoveritas 10.07.12 19:36

It seems that somebody has been telling Porkies, the EU directive was in place before Madeleine vanished 116000-The European hotline 173510

, in fact the directive was issued 3 months before her vanishing act, I assume (shoot me down if you wish) that TM played on the fact that many ppl. are not very informed about the EU.

by tuom 10.07.12 19:50

Invinoveritas wrote:It seems that somebody has been telling Porkies, the EU directive was in place before Madeleine vanished , in fact the directive was issued 3 months before her vanishing act, I assume (shoot me down if you wish) that TM played on the fact that many ppl. are not very informed about the EU.

It is a pity that the MCS did not read the directive before going to Portugal .................... Jesus wept this is a farce !

by Guest 10.07.12 21:34

Missing children hotline & European version of Amber alert in place LONG before they lost a child.
My 94-year-old Maman, who's been following this case closely from Day 1 [half-blind, she said to my brother: "Are these their friends?", at the time McCanns made their very first statement on camera] tonight nearly choked on her strawberry [without vodka] juice, when I told her about Dr. Kate McCann now being ambassador for Missing Children ...

ETA when I say "choked", honest
y would have made me say "exploded" ...