Kidprint Is One Video We Hope You Won’t Ever Use

Here’s a frightening statistic: 1.4 million children are reported missing every year, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Kidprint, a video identification program, gives parents, police and the news media a practical tool to use in the event a child is reported missing. It’s offered by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Blockbuster Video.

In its seventh year, the Kidprint program is available through August at more than 3,400 Blockbuster Video stores nationwide.

Kidprint provides parents with a permanent videotape record of their child which, unlike a still photograph, captures the mannerisms and voice characteristics of the child.

Kidprint may be the most important video parents will ever own.

“We hope parents will never have to use their Kidprint videocassette,” says Ted Innes, vice president of marketing at Blockbuster Video. “However, in the unfortunate event that a child is ever reported missing, this tape could be very useful for law enforcement.”

The child will be positioned in front of a camera next to a colorful height chart and asked a few simple questions such as name, age and home address. These questions help to identify the child and - while informative - are designed to be fun, in a non-threatening atmosphere.

In minutes, parents will receive the child’s Kidprint on a complimentary VHS videocassette. The service is free and no purchase is necessary.

New this year, every child who participates in the Kidprint program will receive a special edition X-Men Safety Activity Book featuring stories about safety using Marvel Comics’ Super Heroes. The activity book includes trivia, tips and games about how to be smart and stay safe.

Children will also receive free video rental coupons and X-Men comic books.

Saturday is the last day to take advantage of Kidprint at four Spokane Blockbuster stores: 5027 N. Division, 11510 E. Sprague, 2501 E. 29th and 9502 N. Newport Hwy.; and in Coeur d’Alene at 223 W. Appleway.

Financial relief to families

A fund has been established for the families of TWA Flight 800 which recently exploded in air, killing all passengers and crew members.

The fund, set up by the non-profit corporation Families of National Tragedies, provides financial relief and assistance for the families of those who were victims of this tragedy.

All contributions are tax-deductible and may be sent to: Families of TWA Flight 800, P.O. Box 10189, St. Louis, MO 63145.

For more information, call (217) 347-4816.

Infant carrier recall

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Playskool Baby Inc. is voluntarily recalling approximately 38,000 “Fold N’ Travel” infant carriers because of the potential danger of falling to the infant.

The plastic carriers, in blue or teal with a fabric or vinyl pad, are model numbers 100, 101, 102 and 103. They were sold nationwide from April 1991 through April 1993.

Consumers who own Fold N’ Travel infant carriers should stop using them immediately and return them to Playskool or to the store where purchased, for a full refund.

To receive pre-paid shipping materials and for information on returning the carriers, call Playskool at (800) 447-7707.

, DataTimes MEMO: The Family Track offers notes and information for families. Write to Lynn Gibson, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615, or fax (509) 459-5098.