SafetyIssues Personal and Public Safety News Articles: Protecting Your Children at Mall

Protecting Your Children at Mall
================================================================================
Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 11/13/04 08:55:00
 
Point out helpful adults at the information booth and cash registers. Let your
child know that these are the people to turn to if he or she gets lost.
Point out phone booths and show your child how to dial 911 in case of an
abduction attempt or other emergency.
When you make a real trip to the mall with your children, start early.  Hurried
parents tend to be more distracted and at greater risk of losing track of a
child.  By hitting the mall early, you will also feel more relaxed about
completing your errands and have time left to treat your child to some fun.
And, forget about using the toy department to entertain your child as you shop. 
Predators go where the kids are: toy departments, video arcades, and food
courts.
It's also wise to accompany your child to the rest room. If you have an older
son who no longer feels comfortable using the women's room, put a time limit on
how long he can be in the men's room and station yourself at the door until he
comes out.
Be as smart as the criminals at the mall and you and your family can have an
enjoyable and safe time.