Keeping Children Safe

I've always said that certain writing assignments come my way for a reason. Well, I just finished researching and writing an article on preventing child abductions -- and I can't get the concept out of my mind.
One of the biggest "a-ha" moments I had during my interviews was hearing that the old "stranger danger" safety teachings are obsolete and potentially deadly to our children. What? National safety experts say 75% of child abductions are perpetrated by someone familiar to the child or family. So telling kids to avoid strangers doesn't cut it anymore.
IF your child was to be abducted, it would likely be by someone you live near, work with, interact with at the gym, or is a friend of a friend. The fact that your child recognizes that person is what puts him or her in the greatest danger. That's downright frightening.
So just how do parents warn children about "everyone" not just "strangers" without creating paranoid and distrusting little people?
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children promotes a great DVD called "Stranger Safety." It's kid-friendly and a great way to empower kids with tools, not fear. Check it out -- you can never be too educated or too prepared when it comes to child safety.