Your biggest nightmare probably is that of your child getting lost. Canada reported around 66,000 cases of missing children every year. Though in most cases the children are found and safely returned to their parents, the fear of children going missing still haunts parents.

There are numerous ways how kids get lost. Small children get easily attracted to swings and may just wander away. It’s just that they are too small to know that they are lost. The best way to avoid this situation is to teach them to hold your hand when walking on the road. Also, you can make an identity card with your name and contact details written on it and put it in your child’s pocket. Also keep a recent photo of your child in your pocket.

Another way how children get lost is when they get lost in a crowd, like in shopping malls, theaters and other public places. To deal with this situation, make everybody around you alert by calling out your kid’s name. Approach the security and also call the police. Another things is to teach your child four easy steps. First, he/she should stop so that they are not far away from you. Second, they should look around to see whether he/she can see you. Third, listen carefully to hear you calling out his/her name. Finally, call out loudly so that everybody’s attention is directed towards him/her.

Children often get confused when outdoors. Teach them to remain fixed at one place in case they feel that they have got lost. Also assure them that someone will definitely come and look for them.

Children like to be independent. They feel they can take decisions on their own when faced with a situation. Make sure you tell them that they should inform you about their whereabouts. They should go to places only with your permission. On your part, make sure you inform the school authorities in case you are late to pick up your child from school. Also inform if somebody else is coming to pick them up.

It is necessary that you talk to your child and teach how to act when they feel that they are lost. Assure them that they cannot remain lost forever and they will surely be found. Also tell them to be calm and keep their “cool” as it would enable them to deal with the situation easily.

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