The race is on! During the holiday season, child safety procedures are imperative because of the large crowds we see everywhere. Everyone is engaged in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. Everyone. Not simply moms, dads, aunts and uncles looking for the perfect gifts, but child predators looking for their next victim as well. The large crowds present at shopping malls and department stores make their jobs much easier; there is more anonymity and more distractions for parents with children in tow. As a result, there are several safety precautions every shopping parent should take when accompanied by the children.
Supervision! When in a mall or other public facility, always supervise your children. Always accompany your child to the restroom. Many modern malls are installing restrooms/changing areas made especially for families, which makes it easier for dad to take his daughter to the restroom without having to take her into the sparkling clean men’s room that incidentally also contains men. Depending on the age and responsibility of the child, they may be allowed to have some time away from mom. If that is the case, make sure they check with you before they go and that they do not go to locations other than where they stated.
Separation. It is possible for a child to become separated from you while shopping. The possibility of that unfortunate event makes it imperative that children know what to do. Teach them to look for people who can help return him to her to you. They should be able to identify law-enforcement officers, security officers, store personnel or another mother with children as persons who can get them back to their parents. They should not leave the area where they first realize they are lost and never, ever leave the mall to look for your car.
Practice. Visits the mall with your children for the sole purpose of having them practice what they should do while in the mall. Here is where you can ensure they can use a public telephone, locate help within the mall or a store and, for older children, go to the restroom with a friend.
Anonymity. Never dress your children in clothing with their names on them. Such clothing allows a predatory person an avenue to convince the child they are not “strangers” and could lead to further unwanted behavior. No stranger should have such an invitation to talk to your child.
Not for babysitting. Parents or guardians should never leave children alone at video arcades, movie theaters, toy store or playground. In these places, there is no supervision and the people staffing these areas are generally not much older than your children. Frankly, most are not watching for inappropriate behavior and they don’t care about your child. as a convenient “babysitter” while they are holiday shopping. These places are also magnets for child predators.
Older children have likely ventured out on their own before. If you allow them to do this while holiday shopping, as mentioned earlier, make sure they have a friend with them. There is safety in numbers. Although you may let them go off on their own, they should regularly check in with you, in person, not via cellular telephone or text message. Plans for meeting each other should be clearly conveyed and adhered to by everyone.
There is no substitute for parental supervision while holiday shopping. If you can’t adequately supervise your children without being distracted, stay at home or leave them with someone else while you do your shopping.
An excellent source for all manner of information regarding child safety, preventing abduction, and identifying potentially dangerous circumstances is the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (www.missingkids.com). Give them a visit and your children will be safer for it.
How do I keep my child safe in a crowded holiday shopping mall?
The key rule during holiday shopping is constant supervision — never leave your child alone, even briefly, and always accompany them to restrooms. Alan Hammond, a criminal justice professional, notes that large holiday crowds give child predators more anonymity and more parent distraction to exploit. Assign an age-appropriate level of independence, establish clear meeting points, and make sure your child knows what to do if you are separated before you arrive.
What should my child do if they get separated from me in a shopping mall?
Teach your child to stay calm and stay put — they should not move from the spot where they first realized they were lost. They should look for someone in uniform (a security officer or store employee), another mother with young children, or a mall information desk. Teach them never to leave the mall or go to the parking lot to look for your car. Practice this with them during a non-holiday visit to a mall so the plan feels familiar before an emergency arises.
Is it safe to let an older child shop independently at the mall during the holidays?
Only with specific precautions. If you allow an older child to shop on their own, require them to go with a friend — there is real safety in numbers. They should check in with you in person at agreed-upon times and locations, not just by cell phone. Establish clear meeting plans in advance and make sure they are followed. Arcade areas, movie theaters, and toy stores should not be used as drop-off babysitting spots; the staff there are not supervising your child.
Should I put my child’s name on their clothing when shopping in public?
No. Avoid putting your child’s name on outerwear, backpacks, or clothing visible to strangers in public. When a person they do not know calls a child by name, it can make the child believe they are not strangers — and that false familiarity can be exploited. Keep names on labels inside clothing rather than on display. This is a small but meaningful precaution that costs nothing.
Staying hand-in-hand and always knowing where your child is are the two most important holiday shopping safety rules.Teaching your child what to do if you get separated is one of the most powerful things you can do before a shopping trip.
