Lost and Found: A Parent’s Guide to Child Safety in Public Spaces
Losing your child in a public place can be a scary experience for any parent. However, knowing that your child is prepared to stay safe and quickly reunite with you can significantly shorten the time of separation. Preparing your family for these situations is an important part of public safety for children. We have a few tips to help you get started when coming up with a plan that works best for your family.
Utilize technology: Provide your child with a means to get in contact with you, whether that is a smart watch or cell phone with your and another trusted adult’s phone number programmed in. Place a tracking device in your child’s pocket that you can see from your smart phone. Make sure that when using any technology for safety purposes, that your child knows how to use it, and that the battery is charged before heading out.
Teach them the basics: Take time to sit down with your child and have them memorize yours and their own full name, your address, and phone number so that when they find a safe adult to help them, they can easily recite identifying information to help them reunite you. If they are too young to memorize this information, put a laminated paper with this information on them, such as in a pocket.
Find a safe adult: Teach your child to look for a mom with children or a person in a uniform like a police officer, a security guard, or an employee. Show your child examples of what a uniform looks like, such as a badge or name tag by pulling up pictures on the internet or showing them real life examples.
Don’t go anywhere with strangers: Teach your child not to leave any public areas with anyone, such as getting in a vehicle, or going behind a closed door, and that staying where there is a lot of light is important. Remind them about what they learned when you spoke about finding a safe adult, and that a safe adult would not try to get them in a car, behind a closed door, or in a dark place.
Practice what ifs and answer any questions they might have: Role play different situations with your child until they are confident with the information, and you are confident that they understand how important following the plan is. Good practice activities could include going over how to find a safe adult, reciting your contact information, or how to call you from their device.
Decide Whether Your Child Should Stay Put or Go to a Pre-Determined Location: Consider whether you want your child to remain in one place or head to a specified location if they become lost. If you choose to have them stay put, ensure they understand that if they’re in an area with traffic, like a parking lot, it’s okay to move to a safer place while waiting. However, they should remain in a well-lit, populated area and avoid going behind closed doors or getting into strangers’ cars. Instructing your child to stay in one place can help prevent them from wandering further away. This approach is usually safer and simpler for younger children.
If you prefer your child to meet you at a designated location, make sure they are comfortable navigating there and that the route is easy, well-lit, and populated. Teaching them to recognize landmarks can be beneficial and encourages them to take proactive steps for their safety. This option is generally more suitable for older children who can follow directions and safely navigate public spaces.
By investing time in teaching your child what to do if they get separated from you, you equip them with essential tools to stay safe and reunite with you quickly. This includes memorizing important information, understanding whether to stay put or head to a meeting point, and recognizing safe adults. Preparation is crucial. Engaging in role-play scenarios and practicing these lessons will boost your child’s confidence and provide you with reassurance while in public. With a thoughtful plan tailored to your family’s needs, you’ll feel more at ease knowing your child is ready to handle this potentially frightening situation calmly and effectively.
At The Nest Schools, we believe that safety is an important part of early childhood education and have curriculum within our Art of Living program that teaches children the fundamentals of keeping themselves safe within their environment. This includes discussions, involving them in the creation and upholding of safety guidelines, reading books that cover safety topics, and by providing and modeling real life examples of safe behavior.
