And as a Mother, it's not one I particularly like to think about too much, but it's not something that I or any other parent can just completely ignore.
When most people hear the above statistic they think, "That can't be right." Unfortunately, it's not an error or typing mistake. In fact, it means that over 140,000 children go missing every year in the UK. The tiny percentage of missing child cases that receive high profile media attention often gives people an inaccurate view of how widespread and serious the problem has become.
Education and Preparation
As scary and depressing as these statistics are, there is hope. Two of the most important things a parent can do to minimise the chances of becoming a statistic are firstly, educating them to the potential dangers, and secondly preparing themselves to respond effectively should their child go missing.One of the best ways to be prepared is to keep an accurate and up to date record of your child in a safe place. In the event of an emergency, every second counts, and being able to provide accurate information to the police is crucial.kIDpack
kIDpack arms parents with the ability to educate their children in an informed, non-fear based manner. Additionally these packs help parents to compile all of the critical information that the police would need in the event of an emergency.I've got a kIDpack myself and as someone who works in a professional field where I have a very good understanding of the information that is needed when a child goes missing, I can't recommend these enough. There's room for all of the critical information that would be needed, as well as a fingerprint sheet, photograph page and even safety tips for the family and what to do if your child goes missing information on the back.
A solution for lost and panicking children?
Additionally you can also buy shoe number stickers for as cheap as £2 for a pair. They are a fantastic idea. Children can easily forget phone numbers if they are panicking and the Shoe Numbers stickers are designed to give you peace of mind that you can be contacted should your child go missing in a busy area such as a theme park or shopping center. All they would need to do is show their shoe to a member of staff or someone in uniform. They have rounded edges so cannot be felt by the wearer. Take a look at the pictures I've taken below for a little bit more insight into the kIDpack and the shoe stickers and if you want to get one yourself head over to http://www.localkidssafety.co.uk./.*sponsored collaboration