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An estimated 11 youngsters go “short term missing” at any given day at a tourist destination, which is reported to personnel; that amounts to over 2 million incidents annually! More than 89% of parents express extreme worry about leaving their kids behind on a busy day out. Here are some general guidelines for handling situations involving lost children.
1. Don’t hesitate – do something.
Take action if you see what appears to be a lost youngster. Many grownups waver, not knowing if the youngster is truly gone or not, and the child walks off once more. When a child recognises that something is missing, they typically glance around a lot, move swiftly, put their hands in their mouths for comfort, or turn around on themselves. A younger youngster can run off again and not even realise that it is lost. Approaching a youngster in the proper manner to determine whether or not something is lost never causes harm.
2. Approach confidently and get on their level.
In order to establish trust with a youngster as soon as possible, it is critical that you come down to their level. From a very young age, children are taught not to talk to strangers and that you are one. Say hello, introduce yourself, and, if your child is with you, let them know who you are. A child who is already anxious may find it rather intimidating to kneel in front of them; instead, kneel at an angle next to them. Do not try to stop the child from running away again by holding their hand or wrist, nor should you beg them to accompany you.
3. Establish communication – and reassure.
If the child has been lost or it is apparent to you that they are, attempt to reassure them that everything is well, whether or not they can communicate with you. Some kids may get extremely agitated and unable to provide you with any information that could help you reunite them with their responsible adult or parent because they believe they are in trouble for going missing. Be as upbeat as you can, assure them they are not in any trouble, and smile.
Find out their name and age (the majority of talkative kids can tell you this information). Talking to them about where you found them can be quite beneficial for two reasons: it helps to establish trust with them and it keeps them in one location long enough for a desperate parent to have a chance to find them.
Once a toddler can walk, they usually can comprehend you up to a point. For example, they might not grasp “what’s your name” or “are you lost.” Instead, ask simple queries like “Dadda?” or “Mumma where?” They may gaze around in an attempt to locate them, or they may be able to point. They may attempt to leave at this stage in order to locate their parent. Instead of putting them in a restraint, attempt to follow them closely and disrupt them by squatting in front of them and using a simple game like peek-a-boo as a diversion.
Never give food, especially sweets, to a lost child since they can have dietary restrictions or allergies. Offer them water and a seat with you, though. A youngster should not be moved too far from their original location. Usually, it’s not far from the original location where they got lost.
Check for indications of damage or the original cause of the child’s disappearance. This could provide hints about their origins.
4. Look for information.
On a day out, astute parents will secure their contact information to their children and search for ID bands, Am I Lost stickers, and Safetee Labels (shown). When it comes to swiftly reconciling parent and child, these can make all the difference. You can call the majority of these at their phone number. It makes sense that a parent might not answer an unknown number when searching for their child, or they might be speaking with someone else who is looking for them. Sending a follow-up text message that begins, “I have found your child,” will let them know, even if they only glance at the notification.
5. No Information available?
The wisest course of action is to stay where you found them if no information is available. Remain around your current location. Ask the youngster, if able, about their parent’s appearance and whether they are familiar with their name (or last name). If at all feasible, ask another adult to locate a staff member or to search for the parent. Stay with the child if you can, even if a staff person wants to move them to another place to make an announcement. That child has come to trust you, so they are looking to you for solace. It can seriously upset children to be placed in such an uncomfortable scenario with a stranger so quickly.
