The murder of 10-year-old Holly Jones in Toronto has reminded parents how vulnerable their children can be and refocused the spotlight on what parents can do to streetproof their kids.

Child Find Canada, a group that helps in the search for missing children, says it's not enough for parents to tell their kids: "Stay away from strangers." That's because many children have trouble understanding the concept of a stranger. For example, it's difficult to explain that a store clerk seen every day is still a stranger. And children are often abducted by people who have some type of familiarity with them.

Instead, experts say, it is more appropriate to teach children to be on the lookout for certain kinds of situations or actions, rather than certain kinds of individuals.

Police say children should be taught to be suspicious of any adult asking for assistance, such as finding a lost puppy. They should also learn to stay away from vehicles.

It's important for parents to remember that stranger abductions are relatively rare in Canada. In 2001, almost 67,000 Canadian children went missing. The majority, 80 per cent, were runaways who were generally found within 24 hours. Many others were abducted by a parent or guardian. Only 48 were abducted by strangers -- a tiny fraction.

"It is rare, and we still live in a fairly safe country," says Barbara Snider of the Missing Children Society. "But we still have to keep our antennae up."

Nevertheless, experts say streetproofing has to start early, with children as young as four. Even preschoolers can and should be taught to memorize their full names, telephone number and address.

Older kids should be taught to walk to and from school with a friend, and stay in well-lit populated areas. Parents can teach their kids a secret password if some one is picking up the child.

Jan Barr from Child Find Ontario says kids should also be taught how to yell if they're grabbed or forced into a car.

"We're taught so often to be very submissive in many ways. in the case of an abduction, the children or any individual needs to make a large racket, a lot of yelling," she told Canada AM.

"We tell them to, if possible, if you've got a knapsack, try to throw your knapsack somewhere. Try to disperse anything you can disperse. The abductor is not going to stop and pick up everything that needs to be picked up in order to move on."

Basic streetproofing is good as far as it goes, but it may not go far enough. Kids should also be taught how to escape from danger. At Escape School across Canada, kids are taught how to scream and avoid being grabbed. They're also taught how to escape from a car trunk, and even how to disable car while an abductor is driving.

Parents too have responsibilities. They should have the phone numbers of all their friends and know where they are at all times. And of course, they should never leave a child alone in a public place, stroller or car -- not even for a minute.

They should always keep updated pictures of their children at home. And to go one step further, parents can have their children finger-printed.

Child Find Canada's 30 Ways To Help Prevent Child Abduction

Young children should be taught to:

• never say they are alone if they answer the phone: they can offer to take a message or say their parents will phone back.
• never answer the door if they are alone.
• never invite anyone into the house without the permission of a parent or babysitter.
• never enter people's houses without letting anyone know where they are.
• never get into anyone's car without permission.
• never take gifts from strangers or anyone else without asking a parent first.
• never play in deserted buildings or isolated areas.
• move away from a car that pulls up beside them if they do not know the driver.
• say 'no' to an adult if the person wants them to do something you've taught them is wrong.
• know that no one has the right to touch any part of their bodies that a bathing suit would cover.
• tell you, school authorities or a police officer about anyone who exposes private parts.
• tell you if someone has asked them to keep a secret from you.
• go to the nearest cashier if lost or separated from you in a store or mall.

Teens should:

• tell you where they are at all times or leave a written or recorded message at home.
• never hitchhike.
• avoid shortcuts through empty parks, fields, laneways or alleys.
• run home or go to the nearest public place and yell for help if they are being followed.
• learn to recognize suspicious behavior and remember a description of the person or vehicle to give the police. Write the plate number in the dirt or snow if nothing else is available.
• if attacked for money, jewelry or clothing give it up rather than risk injury.
• feel that they can talk to you and call you to pick them up any time, any place.

Parents should:

• avoid clothing and toys with your child's name on it. A child is less likely to fear someone who knows his/her name.
• check all potential babysitters and older friends of your child. never leave a child alone in a public place, stroller or car, not even for a minute.
• always accompany young children to the bathroom in a public place and advise them never to play in or around the area.
• always accompany your child on door-to-door activities, i.e. Halloween, school fundraising campaigns, etc.
• point out safe houses or homes with the Block Parent sign where children can go if they are in trouble.
• keep an up-to-date colour photograph of your child, a medical and dental history, and have your child fingerprinted.

What to do if your child goes missing

· Stay calm. Contact neighbours, friends, spouse, siblings and anyone who may know where your child may be.
· If your child is missing from home, search the house checking closets, piles of laundry, in and under beds, inside old refrigerators--wherever a child may crawl or hide.
· If you still cannot find your child, immediately call your local law enforcement agency.
· If your child disappears in a store, notify the store manager or security office. Then immediately call your local law-enforcement agency.
· Assemble all the documents you'll need to show to police: an updated photo, birth certificate, and health information.
· Ask that the media be contacted so that the photograph of your child will be distributed as widely as possible.