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7 Tips to Prevent Your Child From Getting Lost

MOTHERHOOD | 6 comments

I was lost once as a child. I was about 4 or 5 years old. I was too engrossed with the toys outside a toy store in a shopping mall, that I failed to notice my mom, my aunt and my siblings had gone into the shop right opposite the toy store. When I turned around, I didn’t see them and thought they were gone. I  panicked, walked away aimlessly and cried. Luckily I ran into an elderly couple and they brought me to the information counter. A public announcement was made and we were reunited. The incident still etched firmly in my memory. My sister remembers being sad thinking she would never see me again.
 

In recent months, I’ve noticed a growing number of missing child cases in my home country, Malaysia. It is one of the scariest thing a parent can go through. It gets even worse if it happens at a crowded place because of how difficult is to cover ground; and in the midst of desperation, it is hard to think clearly and take effective action. 
 

It is important to prevent your child from getting lost. Teaching them what to do when they do get lost is equally as important. Go over the plan with them every time you go to a crowded mall or anywhere with lots of people.
Here are 7 things to be included in the missing kids prevention plan:

1. Before you leave

 

Prepare identification for your child. Write their name, DOB, allergies and medical conditions (if any). It should have your mobile phone number, and any other adults traveling with you. If you are staying at a hotel, add a business card of the hotel. Put it INSIDE of your kid’s clothes, hidden. It could just be written on a piece of paper and put it into their pockets. Let your kids know it is there.

2. Bright outfits

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Dress them in bright clothes. Make a mental note of what they are wearing. Rehearse with your children what YOU are wearing. Make sure your kids could spot you in a crowd and also tell someone else if they’re asked. If you are on a road trip, play that game in the car, until you are sure they know what you are wearing.

3. Meeting place

Before jumping on rides or heading to shop, show your children important landmarks and set a meeting place. It could be an information counter, an ice-cream stall, or simply at the nearest McDonald’s. Make sure they can get there and tell them to wait for you, not to look for you all over the place. 

4. Teach your kids to ask for help

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You should teach your children who to ask for help. A mother walking with her children, a security officer, a lifeguard, and an employee are all ideal for your kids to reach out to. Specially teach them NOT to reach out to men or women that are walking alone and never believe a stranger’s offer to take them to you. They should remain at the designated meeting place at all times.

5. Act Immediately

If your child is lost, act immediately but don’t panic. Try to stay focus on finding your child; send someone to the meeting place while the others alert the authorities and search. Trust that your child knows what to do and make the most of your efforts by staying focus.
6. Take photos

Now put the camera phone to good use and take a picture of each child with the outfit they are wearing that day, take a group picture with all of you on that day in case you need it. It saves you time from having to describe your child to search party.

7. Keep each others in check

Make sure all adults know their role and keep each one in check. Don’t assume the your husband is watching the kids when you need to go get some drinks, always asks. “Can you watch Lauren while I get some drinks?” or if you are not sure where one of the kids is, ask the other person. Likewise if someone ask you a child’s whereabout. Only answer if you are SURE which adult the child is with. Be vigilant. This greatly minimises the risk of one assuming the child is with the other person.


That’s it! An easy to remember plan to prevent missing your child. Please share what you would do when it comes to traveling to crowded places with your kids. I’d love to hear 🙂

PS: How to fly with your baby in peace.

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HELLO! I’M MICHELLE.



I love my family, building successful ventures and helping others achieve their dream motherhood. This blog combines those three loves.

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