Help prevent children from getting lost

• Encourage children to stay close to you in shops and to hold your hand or trolley
• Use reins or wrist straps on young children in busy places
• Don't leave children in unsupervised play areas

Help find them quickly if they do get lost

• Make sure children know what the Safe Child "holding hands" picture looks like (you may print a copy here)
• Make sure that children know that store and shopping centre staff wear uniforms and name badges. Teach them to go and tell and assistant if they do become lost (usually staff at checkouts are easiest to recognise)
• Teach children to tell staff their name, address and telephone number

If you do become separated from your child

• Go to the nearest till or ask the nearest member of staff
• If in a shopping centre or street, contact the information desk or nearest shop for help
• Listen for any public address announcements
• If your child cannot be found, ask the store staff to contact the police on your behalf immediately

Teach children these simple instructions so they will know what to do if they become lost.

If you are lost

If you cannot see the person you came shopping with

• Stop
• Stand still
• Look around for the person
• Do not run around

If you see the person you are with

• Go straight back to them
• Hold their hand

If you sill do not see the person you are with

• Walk to a till or checkout and tell the person working there that you are lost

If you get lost in a shopping centre or street

• Go straight to the nearest shop and tell someone who is working there on a checkout or the information desk that you are lost

Always remember, do not go up to anyone else