Making NWA Child Safe: Why Every Family Should Have a Child Identification Kit?
- Kandice Winfield
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
As parents, we prepare for everything.
We buckle seat belts. We buy bike helmets. We teach our children to look both ways before crossing the street.
But here's a question many parents have never considered:
If your child went missing right now, could you provide law enforcement with everything they need within the first few minutes?
A recent photo?, Fingerprints?, Height and weight?, Identifying marks?, Medical conditions?, Emergency contacts?
For most families, the answer is probably not, and that's exactly why child identification kits exist. Click here to get your Child Identification Kit today
The Reality of Missing Children
According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, hundreds of thousands of missing child reports are made each year across the United States. While many of these cases involve runaways, custody disputes, or children who are quickly located, every report is treated seriously, and law enforcement emphasizes that the first few hours can be critical.
One of the biggest myths parents still believe is that they have to wait 24 hours before reporting a missing child. That is completely false.
There is NO waiting period to report a missing child. If you believe your child is missing, call 911 immediately. The sooner law enforcement has accurate information, the sooner they can begin their search.
More Than Just Fingerprints
When most people hear "child identification kit," they think fingerprints.
While fingerprints are important, a quality identification kit contains much more information.
Our Child Emergency Identification Kits include:
Fingerprint cards and ink
Space for current photographs
Eye color and hair color information
Height and weight tracking
Allergies and medical conditions
Dental information and identifying characteristics
Glasses or vision information
Emergency contacts
Body diagrams to identify scars, birthmarks, freckles, and other distinguishing characteristics
Growth tracking so the information can be updated as your child grows
Because let's face it, children change fast. The photo from last year may not look anything like the child standing in front of you today.
Teaching a Safety Mindset
One of the most valuable parts of these kits isn't actually the identification section.
It's the conversation starter. The kit encourages families to discuss safety topics that many children may never hear otherwise.
Some of the reminders included are:
Never answer the door when home alone.
Never tell someone you're home alone.
Never accept gifts, money, or candy from strangers.
Never go anywhere with someone you don't know or trust.
Know important phone numbers and emergency contacts.
These conversations aren't meant to scare children. They're meant to help children build confidence, awareness, and good decision-making skills.
Safety Tips for Parents
The kits also include reminders for parents and caregivers.
Things like:
Knowing where your child is and who they are with.
Keeping current photographs available.
Updating emergency information regularly.
Supervising children in public places.
Having a family emergency plan.
Making sure trusted adults know how to contact you.
Preparedness isn't paranoia. Preparedness is parenting.
If Your Child Goes Missing
If your child goes missing, remember these important steps:
Call 911 immediately.
There is no waiting period.
Provide a recent photo and identifying information.
If you're in a public place, immediately notify management or staff.
Many businesses utilize emergency procedures such as Code Adam to help locate missing children quickly.
The first two hours are often considered among the most critical during a missing child investigation, which is why having current information readily available can make such a difference.
The kit also includes emergency resources such as Poison Control information and other important safety contacts.
Quick Links & Resources
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: https://www.missingkids.org
AMBER Alert Program: https://www.amberalert.gov
Poison Control: https://www.poison.org
Family Safety Resources: https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow
Final Thoughts
Nobody wants to imagine a situation where they would ever need a Child Emergency Identification Kit.
The goal is never to use it.
The goal is simply to have it.
Just like a fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit, or a seatbelt, we hope it never becomes necessary. But if it does, you'll be thankful you took a few minutes to prepare.
A few minutes spent documenting fingerprints, identifying characteristics, medical information, and emergency contacts today could save valuable time tomorrow.
When it comes to our children, being prepared is always worth it.
Child Emergency Identification Kits Available
As part of our commitment to helping make Northwest Arkansas a safer place for children and families, Child Emergency Identification Kits are available for purchase at our Bentonville office for just $1 per kit.
Each kit includes fingerprint cards and ink, emergency identification forms, growth tracking sections, safety tips for children and parents, emergency resource information, and space to document the important details that could make a difference during an emergency.
For many families, one dollar is a small investment for a little extra peace of mind.
Available while supplies last.
Protect what matters most. Be prepared before an emergency happens.
Click here to get your Child Identification Kit today and give your family an extra layer of security and peace of mind.
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