About Strangers and Getting Lost: Staying safe while you’re out and about.

We’ve all heard this familiar announcement: “Will the parents of a lost child please report to the security desk?” The parents who have been frantically searching for their child breathe a sign of relief and hurry to security. The family is happily united. The parents did a smart thing. They taught their child to find a trusted adult who took the child to a safe place. Losing a child, even for minutes, is a frantic time. Here are things you can do to keep your child safe if you are separated.

How can I keep my child from getting lost?

Teach your child his/her name and telephone number. Make sure your child knows this by heart.

Whenever you enter a large public place with your child, point out the workers in uniforms and those who wear name tags, such as security people, managers, salespeople, and cashiers. Explain that if you get separated, your child can ask these people for help if they get lost.

If it’s not possible to hold hands, tell your child to stay within seeing distance of you. Make sure you can always see your child and your child can always see you.

Attach a note or tag with your cell number on your child’s clothing in an easily gotten to place, such as inside a jacket, on a shoe tag, or belt. Teach the child that this is important information. Never put your home address, your name or your child’s name on the tag.

Make sure your child knows the names of the people he is shopping with so he or she can give the information to the store security.

Red, yellow, and green are bright colors that are easy to spot in a crowd. Dress you child in brightly colored hat or jacket. Always make note what he or she is wearing especially his or her shoes.

One picture is worth a thousand words. Always carry a recent photo and description of your child. On the back note the child’s height, weight, eye and hair color, any distinguishing birth marks, glasses, braces, etc. Put an emergency contact telephone number on the back, such as a close relative or friend, who can help you in an emergency. If you have a cell phone, put your cell number on the back.

If your child did become lost, don’t yell at him or her when you’re reunited. This is hard because you’ve been frantic. Realize that your child was frightened, too. If you yell, a child may prefer to remain lost next time than be yelled at. Also, your child may have thought you were the one who was lost. Hug and kiss your child. Go over instructions again for the next time.

When you leave a large place and haven’t been separated, congratulate your child for having stayed with you and not getting lost.

Be sure to always praise children when they do the right thing.

About Strangers

Many people are nice, some can be dangerous. Dangerous strangers come in all shapes and sizes. They may look friendly or unfriendly. 

Practice what to do if a stranger offers your child candy or toys to get in the car, asks your child for help to look for a lost pet, or tells your child he/she is picking your child up because you are sick.

Set up a family code word to use in case of an emergency. Teach your child how to respond to anyone who knows the code word. For example, you need to send someone to pick up your child whom your child does not know. This person will be given the code word. You child knows to ask for the code word before going with the person. Instruct your child to get away as quickly as possible from anyone who claims you sent him or her BUT does not know the code word.

Take your child seriously if he or she tells you that a stranger has approached him or her. Call the police.

Tell and remind your children:

Never talk to strangers.

Never take anything like candy, ice cream or money from a stranger.

Never get into a car with a stranger even if they tell you that your mom or dad said to. Stay on the curb. Don’t even get close to the car. Ask that person the family code word. (See above)

Never try to help a stranger for any reason. Strangers should not ask kids for help. 

They can ask another adult.

Never give your name or address to a stranger.

Never let a stranger touch you anywhere on your body.

It is all right to say “no” to a stranger for any reason.

Never tell anyone that you are home alone if you answer the telephone or door. Tell them that mom or dad is busy. Take a message.

If a stranger in a car bothers you, turn and run in the opposite direction. If you can remember the license plate number, tell a trusted adult.

If a stranger tries to follow you on foot or tries to grab you, RUN AWAY, SCREAM and 

TELL your parents or a trusted adult friend. A dangerous stranger does not want to be the center of attention.

What children should know about getting lost

When you’re out with a parent (or other caregiver) -- e.g., at a store, restaurant, or theme park -- always hold hands or (at least) stay close enough so that you can see each other all the time.

Never talk to a grown-up unless your parent or caregiver says it’s okay.

Make sure you know your first and last name, address, and telephone number by heart.

Know your parent’s cell number.

If you get separated from your parent or caregiver, don’t panic – and don’t leave!  

Look for a police officer or someone who’s wearing a uniform or name tag that shows they work there (e.g., in the store or theme park), and ask them for help. If you can’t find one, ask another mother (with children) for help.

If you get separated, do not leave the building or premises. Stay put. Your parents are looking for you. It will be easier for them to find you if you stay in one place.

Where to get help and more information. Click on the sites for more information.

If your child is missing or lost, or you want more information about this topic, click here: The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:

Take the stranger quiz with your child. You’ll be surprised to see what a stranger looks like.

Order a Child Safety Kit and a free fingerprinting kit at the Polly Klaas Foundation. If your child gets lost in a public place.

Don’t panic. The people who work there are probably trained to handle these kinds of situations, and have probably had to find lost children before.  If your child is lost, don’t yell your child’s name out loud. Try to remain calm. Quickly find an employee who will mobilize management and security. Show the employee a photo of your child. Describe your child and his or her clothing. Stay close to the spot where you last saw your child. He or she is, most likely, nearby. If you have a cell phone, make sure it is on.

Call the police [911] immediately if you feel that your child is more than just temporarily lost. It is always better to call back to say that you have found your child than to lose time that can make a critical difference in safely finding your child.

Out and About Checklist

Does your child know his/her name and telephone number by heart?

Does your child understand how to use the family code word?

Are you carrying a current photo of your child with a description on the back?

Do you have the telephone number of someone you can call to help you in an emergency?

Does your child have a tag with your phone number?

Does your child know the names of the people he or she is out with?

Is your child wearing a brightly color hat or jacket?

When you entered a public place, did you point out “safe” people your child can go to, if lost?

Did you remind your child of safety rules when out in a public place?

If you have a cell phone, is it on?