Keep your kids safe while shopping

By Tara Lynn
Reporter
Published: November 29, 2008

It’s very easy for you and your child to become separated while shopping, but there are few things to teach them before you head into the shopping frenzy.

Macey Gathers knows the rules when it comes to busy holiday shopping.

“Stay close. Sometimes I have to hold my mom’s hand,” she explained.

Mom Meka Ford keeps an extra close eye on her daughter because she knows how easy and frightening it can be to lose sight of a child while shopping.

“She was going to another store and I wasn’t paying attention and I walked off with somebody else,” Macey explained to News 2 about a time when she accidentally wandered away from her mother.

“I had to go out front and we got somebody to call her name on the intercom and somebody brought her back,” Ford added.

With ribbons, clothes and toys around every corner of Northwoods Mall, it’s easy for children to become lost.

Child safety experts say to teach your child your first and last name and make sure they know your phone number.  Madison Hardee’s parents taught her that and what do to if a stranger approaches her.

“Go to a policeman, if I can’t find a police man scream,” she recited to News 2.

Macey and her mother use a password to help protect her.

“Say somebody comes to her and says ‘ your mom said come with me.‘ she knows to say “what’s the password.‘ we teach her that at home,” said Ford.

If your child knows not to talk to strangers, point out who they can talk to if they get lost such as a store worker or security officer.

It’s also a good idea to keep a photo of your child with you. If you have a camera phone, consider taking a picture of your child before you go into a crowded store so you know exactly what they are wearing in case they go missing.

Having a plan in place can keep your child safe and make holiday shopping less stressful.

Resources: http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=244
http://www.lilsugar.com/slideshow/2540909?page=0%2C3
http://www.onguardkids.com/press_releases/OnGuardKid_Mall_Child_Safety.pdf