Keeping Children Safe and Secure at the Shopping Mall

A trip to the shopping mall with children can be overwhelming and with the blink of an eye, it is possible for children to get lost in a maze of shops and crowds of people.

These safety tips will help parents ensure that their children stay protected:

• Talk to your kids before a family outing.
• Make a rule that you must always be able to see them and they must always be able to see you.
• It may sound simple, but keep reminding them periodically, especially if you think they’re getting restless.
• Use the “two giant steps” rule – your kids can never be more than two giant steps away from you. It’s a fun and easy way for young children to remember not to wander away.
• Teach your kids that if they ever become separated from you, they should look for a “safe stranger” for help. Some examples include a mom with kids or a cash register person. With older children, agree on a “meeting place” ahead of time, in case you become separated.
• Tell your child never to leave the mall or store to go looking for you, no matter what anyone tells them.
• Remind your child that you would never leave until you are reunited.
• Dress your child in brightly colored clothes to make him easy to spot. Be sure to remember what they are wearing.
• Establish the “check first” rule with older children. They must always check first with you before going anywhere in a public place, including another store, play area, or even the restroom.
• Don’t treat public facilities as a “convenient babysitter.” Do not leave your children alone at video arcades, movie theaters, play areas, or other public places.
• Predators are known to look for unsupervised kids.
• Always bring young children into the restroom with you. Look for well-lit restrooms in high traffic areas, whenever possible.
• Make sure that your child knows your cell phone number.
• Discuss age-appropriate safety issues with your child in a calm, non-fearful manner. Replace the word “strangers” with “tricky people.”
• Let your child know that it isn’t what people look like that makes them unsafe; it’s what they ask a child to do that makes someone “thumbs down.”
• Kids have been known to leave with a stranger because “he seemed nice” or “she didn’t look like a stranger.”

Also View:

Protecting Children from Bullying and Cyber Bullying