Families to Receive Free Child ID Kits at Sept. 3 Event

A shopping trip this Labor Day weekend will help equip parents with important child safety resources.

On Saturday, Sept. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wal-Mart stores nationwide, along with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Ross Products, will host the first ever “Smart Parent … Safe Baby” event. Families will receive a free child ID kit that includes leading DNA technology and a placeholder for an updated child photo.

“We’ve been a long-time partner with Wal-Mart and are always grateful for their efforts to educate parents about child safety and wellness,” said Ernie Allen, president and chief executive officer of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. “Being prepared and discussing prevention tips with children are the keys to keeping kids safer.”

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children provides the following tips to help parents and guardians practice good safety measures.

* Keep an up-to-date, good quality photograph of your child in case of an emergency.

* Never let young children go places alone. Be clear about the places and homes that they are allowed to visit.

* Know where your children are and whom they are with at all times.

* Never leave your children unattended in an automobile, whether it’s running or not.

* Talk openly to your children about safety. Turn an outing to a mall or park into a “teachable moment.”

Safety and wellness tips also will be provided at the event from Similac Advance, PediaSure, Ensure Healthy Mom, Fisher Price, General Mills, Nestle and Procter & Gamble, all of which support Wal-Mart’s child safety efforts.