Most of us can remember getting lost, even if just for a very short
time, as children. It's an incredibly frightening feeling to suddenly
lose sight of your parents or guardians but thankfully (for both child and parent) in most cases the experience is short-lived and children usually learn a very valuable lesson when this happens.
But it's still useful to give your child some pointers about what to
do if they do find themselves lost, particularly in unfamiliar
surroundings, as well as refreshing your own knowledge on how to keep
your children as safe as possible when out and about. Here are some tips
and advice.
Talking to children about getting lost
It's important not to overstate the potential dangers involved in
your child getting lost. In the same way that it's vital for children to
be aware of stranger danger, it's also useful for your child to
know that getting lost isn't an ideal situation, but parents should be
careful about frightening their children and inhibiting their interest
and interaction with the wider world around them.
Don't make your child feel that there are danger lurking on every
street corner, waiting to pounce on lost children. But arming your child
with some basic knowledge will help them feel more confident and
self-assured should they find themselves separated from you or a group
when out and about.
The basics your child should know
It's a great idea for you to teach your child their full
name, address and phone number as soon as possible. If they are able to
memorise these details they'll be able to provide other adults with
information that can help them be reunited with their parent or carer as
quickly as possible.
It's also vital your child knows where to go for help should they
become lost. They should ask for help from a police officer, another
grown-up with children or someone working at a nearby shop. Take a look
at the Safer Strangers, Safer Buildings initiative
which has been set up to help children identify 'safe' people and
places they can go to if they become lost or find themselves in an
uncomfortable situation. It's important children can make the
distinction between a potentially dangerous stranger and a 'safe'
stranger, such as another mum with children, and this initiative helps
parents do just that.
Your child can watch a video, 'Teigan gets lost', which provides a
great visual reference for your kids - it uses simple, non-alarming
language to show children where and who they can go to for help if they
find themselves lost.
Tips for when you're out and about
Many of the tips below are common sense measures that are
second-nature to most parents, but there may be other things you don't
currently do that you may find useful to know. Certain tips are
especially useful if you're visiting somewhere unfamiliar, or an
exceptionally busy place such as a theme park or the seaside. Here is
our definitive list of tips to help prevent your child getting lost:
- Always keep your children within your sight, or under the supervision of another trusted adult,
- Toddlers are particularly vulnerable to getting lost so if your child is desperate to accompany you on foot rather than be put in the pram, use reins. Backpack reins such as LittleLife packs are especially good. Reins let your child walk on their own two feet but not wonder off if you get distracted.
- Arrange a meeting point which your child should go to if they get lost. This should be a busy, safe place, such as the central fountain in a shopping mall or a local landmark on the high street (as long as this is a safe place for your child do get to and doesn't involve them crossing roads, etc).
- In big department stores it's useful to show your child where customers services is located so they know where to go if they get lost. It's helpful if they can identify a particular store's staff uniform too, so they can find help quickly.
- When visiting very busy places, such as theme parks or beaches, be sure you know where the lost children meeting point is and the procedure employed for dealing with lost children.
- If you're going on a big day out to somewhere unfamiliar you might prefer to dress your child in bright, easily recognisable clothing, perhaps with a name tag sewn inside. This can provide a key identifier if your child gets lost. You could also take a photo on your mobile of your children before you leave so you have a visual reference to show others, and remind yourself of what your child is wearing - it's quite common for parents to go blank when asked what their child is wearing.
- Consider using an ID tag or similar, particularly if your child can't yet speak or has special needs and may find it difficult to communicate key information such as their name and address to others. The ID should be visible and easily accessible and should include significant information such as your child's name and a contact number (but not your address), both for you and perhaps another next of kin so if your mobile is out of credit or network range another adult can be contacted. Take a look at Tyvek Wristbands for a selection of plain and printed reusable or single use bands.
- Be especially vigilant in places that provide a quick getaway for potential abductors, such as motorway service stations - keep your children close to you at all times and never let them go to the loo or visit the shops or amusement arcades by themselves. The same goes for airports - with so much going on such as checking in luggage, or rifling around for passports, it's easy for parents to become distracted and lose sight of their children.
What to do if you get lost - a child's 3-step plan
1. Stop, stand still and look around you. Mum or dad may be able to
quickly retrace their steps and come and find you if you remain where
you are.
2. If you can see mum or dad, go back to them straight away. If you
can't see them after a while try and find another 'safe' adult and tell
them you are lost.
3. If you get lost on the street, try to find a policeman/police lady
or another 'safe' adult. If you can't find a trusted person, find a
'safe' building and go there to ask for help.
What parents should do if they lose a child
1. Try to keep calm and not panic. You may forget vital information
such as what your child is wearing which can help locate them more
quickly.
2. Many busy public places such as beaches, departments stores,
airports and theme parks have specific lost child procedures in place to
help parents and children become reunited as quickly as possible.
Depending on where you are, try to locate a member of staff (if you are
in a shop or in an airport) or a member of the police or similar person
of authority (perhaps a lifeguard at the beach) as quickly as possible.
3. Don't wander too far from where you last saw your child. Perhaps
if you have another adult with you they can go and have a look around
while you stay put - quite often children may not have strayed too far
and may be able to see you. Try to keep an ear out for any tannoy
announcements, too. If you're in a department store, for example, you
may hear an announcement that your child has been found.
4. Always go with your instincts and never feel that you are wasting
peoples' time. Alert the police as necessary - no one will mind if you
then find your child safe and sound but you may lose precious time if
you haven't called on more extensive help quickly if your child does not
reappear.
5. You'll probably experience a mixture of relief and anger when your
lost child is reunited with you. But it's vital that you don't get
cross with your child about getting lost - they will probably be feeling
very frightened and quite aware of the seriousness of what has happened
so don't add to their trauma by shouting at them. In some cases the
child may not have a proper handle on what has happened - they may think
it was you who was lost - but try to explain, when everything has
calmed down, that they must try not to get lost again, reminding them of
the drill in case they forgot what to do when they became lost.
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