RALEIGH, N.C. — Faith Meeker's northwest Raleigh neighborhood is safe and quiet, and is a short distance away from her children's schools. 

What You Need to Know 

Two attempted kidnappings in one week have put some Wake County parents and their children on edge 

Both students were walking to school when they were approached by a stranger and managed to escape 

Since then, some schools in the area have stepped up security and some families are on high alert 

Some of her kids play at the neighbor's house. The others find creative ways to pass the time.

With a full house of six kids, ages 5 to 16, Meeker always keeps a close eye on what they're up to.

"I try to keep them buddied up together, so that if one of them has a watch or a phone or some way to get up with me if they need to," Meeker said.

Dinner is served at 5 p.m., and everyone is expected to be there. But with a teenager under her roof, Meeker can never be too careful.

"Once they turn 14 is when they start to have more freedom, and want to be more out of the house than in the house, and wanting to give them that freedom and autonomy," she said.

Meeker says finding that balance is key between safety and space. And with attempted abductions making headlines in Wake County this fall, she's on high alert.

"You can't hide from it unfortunately, they're everywhere," Meeker said. 

Abduction attempts were reported near Martin Middle School and Root Elementary School earlier this fall in late September in the same week. Both students were walking to school when they were approached by a stranger and managed to escape in each of the separate attempts. 

Federal data shows last year, there were over 540,000 missing persons reports submitted to the National Crime Information Center. Thirty-four percent of those active missing persons records were youth.

Meeker checks the sex offender registry every month, especially with new neighbors moving in.

A big part of that is education, having open and honest conversations about tricky topics like pornography. 

Meeker says she is concerned about children being manipulated by someone to take inappropriate photos. And, as a sexual assault survivor herself, Meeker says her experience is something she hopes no child ever has to endure.

"If I can stop that and leave the world a better place than the way I found it..." she said.

And that's also the reason why she's speaking out today.

"If we can end this, then maybe our children can run out on the street and play and not have to worry about who's going to be hiding behind the bushes, so to speak," Meeker said. 

Here are some safety tips for parents to help keep their kids safe.