Randy Davis, who tweets under the name digitalcaffeine, let us know about an upcoming child safety event at Little Guppy Child Development Center, 3151 Elm Point Industrial Drive, St. Charles.

The event will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Representatives from the Missouri Child Identification Program (MoCHIP) will be on hand. MoCHIP provides parents with a free envelope of information on their children that could be valuable if a child disappears or is abducted.

The kit holds:

• digital photographs
• digital fingerprints
• vital child information and emergency contacts
• a dental bite impression
• two laminated ID cards

The photos and figerprints are burned onto a mini-CD that is compatible with the Amber Alert system.  The dental impression provides a virtual diagram of the child’s biting surface and enough saliva to provide a DNA sample that also can be used as a scent source.

MoCHIP does not keep the information. It is turned over to the parents, who can give it to police should the need arise. MoCHIP’s computers are erased after the event.

Parents who plan to attend can download forms here to help them compile pertinent information on their children before the event. It takes about 15 minutes to go through the process.

Firefighters and police officers also will be on-hand Saturday to discuss child safety and provide car seat and helmet safety checks. Games and ice cream will be provided.

The event is sponsored by the Polar Star Rose Hill #79 Masonic Lodge.