What do you do if you can’t find your child while in a department store?

Stop! Control your breathing! You can’t think straight in a state of nervousness. Fear and adrenaline immediately try to take over your body and emotions. Your mind is extremely powerful and can easily control your fear and adrenaline. Plus, your child needs you to be alert, not frantic! A good technique to control this is deep breaths (in through the nose and out through the mouth).

Find the nearest cashier and advise them to lock down the store. Next, immediately have one of the store employee’s make an announcement over the, “public announcement system.” Begin to shout out your child’s name and have other’s help (get as many people involved in the search). Get down on one knee and perform a 360 turn around while shouting out your child’s name (by getting down to one knee you’ll be at the same eye level as your child. You can also see better underneath the hanging clothes). Do not shout out threats to your child like, “I’m going to punish you if you don’t get out here at once.” Threats might keep your child from coming out to find you. Instead, entice them with something or somewhere they enjoy. Ask the store employee’s to contact security and have security look around the store with their security close circuit cameras.

Note: There are personal alarms you can purchase on the web or in security stores. One end of the alarm stay’s with you and the other with your child. Once the child reaches a distance that is to far away from you, the alarm goes off.

Fact: Children love to hide between the hanging clothes and play hide and seek. Teach your children never to do this while out and about.Stay safe.

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