Posted 7/20/2008 @ 11:40:27 pm by yoursafetycomesfirst.com

There’s nothing more frightening to a child than being lost and nothing more frightening to a parent than a lost child.  Fortunately, most scares turn out to be only that, but teaching your children how to be safe in a public place is an invaluable part of any lesson you’re teaching children toward being responsible as well.  

The most important thing to do with your child is talk to him/her or about being safe.  Explain to them, using age appropriate language that there are strangers who aren’t very nice and that it’s important not to talk to strangers. It is also important to teach your child to always be aware of his/her surroundings by periodically gaging his or her distance from you.  

Of course, the age of the child will influence how much responsibility for their own safety they can assume.  It’s always best as a parent to have a watchful eye of your child and that can be made easier when there are many children in one area, by dressing your child in brightly colored or easily discernible clothing.  Being able to spot them fast is important in knowing quickly whether they are missing.  

When several children who know each other are in a public place together they should stick together in their original groups and also be conscientious of each other to help watch out for one another.  Other great ideas are to point out safe people and places.  Letting a child know where he or she should go if they get separated will help keep wandering at a minimum.  

Other great things you can do to protect your child are to register your child’s finger prints and photos with a lost child registry.  Most communities offer this kind of service through public schools.  Also, either teaching your child his home address and phone number or physically writing it down and putting it your child's pocket are both excellent precautions you can take to help minimize the duration that your child is lost. 

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