‘The way you exit an Uber can make your child a kidnapping target’

“This is terrifying… I never realised how easy it would be to snatch a child this way,” one person commented on a criminologist’s viral safety video.

When travelling with kids in a taxi or an Uber, do you ever think about how you enter and exit the car?

Probably not, but the way a family gets out could make it easy for the driver to drive off with your child.

“Whether you’re in a taxi or an Uber, never, ever let your kids be the last to get out of the vehicle, even if they have to crawl over you,” criminologist Dannah Eve said in a viral Instagram post.

“This is especially important if you’re on vacation in a foreign country.

“Never give someone the ability to drive off with the child still inside the vehicle.”

The advice makes sense.

If the parent is standing on the footpath and the child is still in the car, a driver with bad intentions could simply take off with your kid.

“When I was little and even a young teen, my mum got out first, then my dad would lead me to my mum and get out right behind me,” Dannah said.

“A very simple thing to do that can become second nature, and make it so they’re not an easy target.”

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‘Don’t let your child be the last one to get out of an Uber’

Some followers were shocked at the advice, saying it never occurred to them that the simple act of getting out of a taxi could be so dangerous.

“OMG I never thought of this,” said one person. “I travel with my toddler out of state and country everywhere.”

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“This is such a good tip, I would never have thought of this,” said another.

Others added to the advice.

“Do not let them get inside first,” said one person. “When I was a child I remember my dad taking us somewhere in a taxi. My brother got in first and the driver tried to take off. Luckily my dad was strong and managed to hold himself from the door and got inside the car to save my brother.”

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Criminologist Dannah Eve shares safety tips for women, parents and kids. Photo: Instagram

Some people were sceptical, saying that the advice was only relevant to Americans.

“Tell me you live in the United States without telling me you live in the United States,” said one person.

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“Gosh I’m lucky we live in an extremely safe suburb in Australia,” said another person. “I couldn't imagine having to think of this. Be safe everyone.”

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Originally published as ‘The way you exit an Uber can make your child a kidnapping target’