Here at SafeBlog and Safelist, we are 100% committed to public service.

As a business, we are constantly striving to build a classifieds marketplace that is not only better than any other on the Internet, but also safer. However, our ultimate goal is to help keep our communities, both real and virtual, safe for everyone. One of the ways we hope to achieve our goal is by enabling Safelist.com to disseminate timely AMBER Alerts to the users of our platform.

AMBER is an Alert Notification System created by the Child Alert Foundation in 1996, the same year that a 9-year old girl named Amber was kidnapped and murdered in Texas. It now stands for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response. When the appropriate police organization makes the decision to publish an alert, the U.S. Emergency Alert System issues it via radio, television, highway signs, and other media. There have been a total of 540 successful recoveries to date.

To help find a missing child, it is hypercritical to start the search efforts immediately. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, of the children abducted by strangers and murdered, 75% are killed within the first three hours. Therefore it is absolutely imperative that no time is wasted.

In order to quickly spread the word of a child’s kidnapping during those early moments when every minute is crucial, we have launched a feature on the Safelist website which will instantly notify you of an active AMBER Alert in your area.

Whenever you see the AMBER Alert icon (prominently displayed near the top of all Safelist pages) turn red, it means that there is an active AMBER Alert on a missing child in your area. Upon clicking the button, you will see detailed information about the alert, including the name of the missing child, a description and picture, and also any available information on the suspect. Since the alerts are hyper-targeted by zip codes, you will only be notified when an  alert is specifically relevant to your area. To guarantee the widest possible dissemination of these alerts, we will also be posting the information on Twitter and on our Facebook page as well.

No alert:

Active AMBER alert in your area:

In order for us to ensure safe communities for all our families, we need everyone’s help, and especially yours.  One way you can contribute is by quickly spreading the news of an active AMBER Alert amongst your friends and family. You may also follow us on Twitter @Safelist and on our Facebook fanpage to make sure that you are quickly notified of an alert in your area.

By working together, we will make certain that the all important initialminutes and hours immediately after a child’s kidnapping are not wasted, because that time could mean the difference between life and death of someone’s precious child.

You can learn more about AMBER Alert at their website (http://www.amberalert.gov/).

It’s that time of year again! The San Diego County Fair arrived at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on June 10 complete with the concert series, animal shows, contests, food stands, and more. Read below for how to win a free package of admission tickets, rides, and other goodies.

With two weeks left at the Fair, shows still to come include concerts like the Neon Trees, the Beach Boys, and REO Speedwagon. Also, you can’t miss the spectacular July 4 fireworks display that closes out the fair season. Visit the Fair’s website to see a complete list of events and information.

Staying safe starts with the Fair staff taking initial precautions. All Fairgoers must pass through metal detectors and/or bag checks at the entrance. Alcohol and glass containers are not allowed, nor are any weapons.

Here are a few additional safety tips to keep in mind while enjoying the Fair:

1. Get a program when you arrive and study the map to make sure you know where First Aid, Guest Services, and Security locations are throughout the fairgrounds
2. Set up a meeting place so that if your party gets separated, you all have one place where you can reconvene.
3. Make sure that everyone has either a phone or a walkie-talkie so you can communicate if you get separated.
4. Be able to describe what clothes and shoes your children are wearing so you can relay that to fair security if they get lost.
5. Avoid carrying a purse on your shoulder. Instead, try using a fanny pack or a strap that goes across your chest.
6. Keep your money and valuables in your front pocket rather than in a purse or bag.
7. Check out the Calamity Jo Safety Show every day at 11:30am. It’s a great show for kids.

We’re giving away free tickets! The prize package includes:

• 4 Fair admission tickets
• 50 ride tickets
• 4 drink vouchers with food purchase at participating vendors
• Parking voucher

To enter, post a comment with what you are most looking forward to doing at the Fair this year. Submit your comment by 5pm PDT Friday, June 24 and we’ll draw the winner at 9am PDT on Monday, June 27. We will announce the winner in the comment section and also send you an email with pick-up information at our headquarters in San Diego. Please, one entry per person.

Good luck and have fun this year at the Fairgrounds!