You try to protect your kids as much as possible, but you can't be with them every minute. You can't protect them from the danger, but you can prepare them for some situations that might come up.

"They need to know your concerns,” says Vince Sharp of the Child Guidance Clinic of Grayson County. “You don't need to directly say anything like I'm afraid this might happen, that might scare them. Talk with them about some things that might happen, like we might get jumbled up and get disconnected from one another."

Will they know what to do if they get lost in a mall, if a friendly stranger offers a ride home from school, or if an older child or adult wants to play a secret game?

First arm your kids with information. Make sure they know their full name and address, city and state, and their area code and phone number. Make sure they can call 911 in an emergency and know how to use a pay phone. Be sure they know your full name and how to reach you at work in an emergency.

"First thing they need to know is where to go,” Sharp says. “I'm lost, okay; they’re scared in that moment."

Tell your kids what to do if they get lost in a mall or anywhere: ask a security guard, store clerk or police officer for help.

"As specific as you can get is the best,” he says. “Even if you're going to exactly write out the steps they can take. If they get lost, they can just pull out that card and say okay, that's what I need to do. Then they won't panic as much."

Simple enough, but even your teens need to be reminded of the danger that looms away from home.

“That's a little bit tougher as well,” Sharp says. “They're getting more independent, they don't think they need mom and dad as much, but it's important to definitely give them your concern because kids that age think nothing is ever going to happen to them."