TIPS FOR PARENTS

Do not wait 24 hours before reporting your child missing.

Know where your child is at all times, whom they are with and what they are wearing.

Always keep a recent photograph of your child on you, so that the photo will be readily available in case of an emergency.

Make an effort to know your child’s friends, their names, addresses and numbers. Be involved in your child’s life, but don’t force it. Build a trusting relationship and create a home environment where they want to be and bring their friends to. Teach your children their own names and addresses, as well as your name and telephone number. Keep your children close to home and teach them the importance of the Buddy System; never go anywhere alone. Take your children to the nearest police station, hospital and clinic to show them how to find it easily, point out landmarks to prevent them from getting lost. Teach your children to take the same route to and from places. If your child goes missing, you can start looking on the discussed route. Teach your child to make loud noises in order to attract attention. Teach your children that they should never trust strangers, they should not accept gifts from strangers or go anywhere with them. Create a family exclusive password. Teach your children that when you send a person to pick them up, the person should know the password, otherwise your children should not go with the person. Be one step ahead. If your child is on social media, familiarise yourself with the technology and monitor it. Missing Children SA