"The child could not provide us with very much information where she lived, what her moms and dads names were, any specific information that would get us back to her parents," said Lt. Joe Savilla, with Nitro PD.

Police did eventually get her back home. But they say as early as you can -- start drilling your kids with information. Like Mario Stowers does with his daughter Emma. He says as soon as she started talking, he and his wife began working on the basics, "What is my name, what is my telephone number, what is my address ..."

The scary truth is that 800 thousand children go missing each year. That's according to the national child identification program. But helping protect them can be as easy as going to the DMV, where you can have an ID card made with their name, address, phone number, and more.

And now that school is starting -- police suggest including that information on their school supplies. Charleston patroleman, Robert Henderson, also suggests teaching your children that there are dangers out there, without giving them too many scary details.

"Teach your children that sometimes an adult might take advantage of them and might try to take them when they're not supposed to."

He says arm your children with as much information as you can. Lt. Joe Savilla agrees.

"I know as a father -- one of the first things you want to do is teach your children number 1, what their last name is, what your mother and father's names are, home address is."

As for safety proofing the home -- Henderson says if you can't afford an alarm system that sounds when the door is opened, put a deadbolt out of childrens' reach. And remember to secure all windows too.