According to the Department of Health, more than 1 million teenagers run away from home each year. The National Runaway Switchboard reports that 86% of runaways are between the ages of 14 to 17 and 74% are female, while 26% are male.

Know the Signs
Prior to running away, many teens exhibit classic warning signs that include threats to run away, packing and hiding a bag, and requesting money to purchase necessary items and then secretly stashing the money. Parents should pay special attention if their child threatens to run away. Often, these threats are ignored or taken lightly.

It's vital for parents take an active stance and communicate with their teen about the perils of running away. If you are currently experiencing a turbulent time with your child, try talking to them when you are not arguing or angry at each other. Inform your son or daughter that running away is not as glamorous as it sounds. Let them know living day-to-day on the streets with no legal form of income, no food and only the clothes on their back is not only dangerous, it can be deadly. Don't wait for your child to express their thoughts about running away or show signs that they are devising a plan of action. Proactive is much better than having to be reactive.

Now What?
"If you believe your child has run away, notify the police immediately," states New Jersey Police Officer Steve Wilson. "Don't go out looking for them if you think they are involved in drug or gang activity and may be hiding out in a bad neighborhood. By doing this, you put yourself at risk of being harmed." Wilson continues, "Inform the police where you think your child may be staying and let them investigate the situation. Only go looking for your child in safe areas, but always make sure to have someone at home to answer the phone in case they call. After you inform the police your child is missing, you should contact family and friends and let them know about your situation."

Officer Wilson also advises that you make and distribute flyers, and involve the media as much as possible. "Many teens initially run away and in doing so, become easy prey for kidnappers, molesters, pimps and other predators. It's easy for runaways to end up becoming a victim." Other suggestions from Officer Wilson include being persistent and cooperative with your local law enforcement and file a missing persons report

Talk With Your Teen
Parents should do whatever is necessary to prevent their teens from running away. If your teen is having problems, make sure you let them know how much you love them and that together you can work through the problem(s) and running away is never the solution.

Links for school safety and violence prevention Links for Parents Protecting Children From Abuse Links for helping young people with emotional and behavioral problems Links For And About Teenagers Runaways Aggression:Teen Aggression Directly Related to Popularity. A.D.D: Dealing With Attention Disorders Broken Homes: Divorce And Successful Parenting, Effects Of Divorce Of Education, Effects Of Parental Fights On Teens, Separation and Divorce, Step parenting An Out Of Control Teen, Step parenting Successfully Cursing Or Mood Swings: Foul Language Of Teens Defiance And Anger: Adolescent Behavior Problem, Teen Anger Delinquency: Some Proposed Reasons For Teen Delinquency Depression: Dealing With Teen Depression, More About Teen Depression,Teen Depression Emotional Problems: Understanding Emotional Changes Failing In School: Parental Involvement In Teen Education Feelings Of Despair: Adolescent Anxiety Help For Teens: About Wilderness Camps, Behavior Modification, Convincing Teens To Get Help, Counseling For Your Teen, Helping Teens Hit The Target, Programs Give 2nd Chance To Youth, Solutions For Teens In Trouble, Therapy For Your Teen Lack Of Discipline: Adolescents and Decision Making, Chores Foster Responsibility, Discipline: Love and Limits, Punishment vs. Discipline,What Is Discipline Lack Of Motivation: How To Motivate Your Teen Lack Of Respect: Respect Concerning Different Subjects Lack Of Self-Control:Dating And Sexual Activity, High Risk Behavior, What The Bible Says On Self Control Minor Legal Problems: Teen Crime Prevention Negative Group Of Friends:Adolescence And Peer Pressure, Dealing With Teen Peer Pressure, Handling Teen Peer Groups Peer Pressure Oppositional Defiant Disorder:Oppositional Defiant Disorder Parenting Tips And General Help: 7 Steps For Coping With A Negative Child, 7 Tips For Parenting Teens,10 Secrets Teens Want You To Know, Hard Times For Girls, more... Rebellious Behavior And Violence: Teen Fashion, Piercings, and Tattoos, Teen Gang Prevention Refusing To Follow Rules:About Making Rules, About Parent-Teen Contracts, Effective Problemsolving With Teens, Negotiating Rules And Contracts, Setting Limits Running Away: Teen Runaway Prevention,Teen Runaways Substance Abuse Issues:Drug Use and Teens, Teen Drug Prevention, Teens And Smoking,Ways To Prevent Drug And Alcohol Use Suicidal Tendencies: Teen Suicide Prevention Teen In Crisis: Factors Of Troubled Teens,Helping Teens With Stress, Teens And Recent Tragic Events