It can be very easy to lose track of a small child in a department store.

Imagine you and your four-year-old are in a department store crowded with shoppers, looking at all the sale items. You carry her for awhile, then put her down just long enough to look at the price tag on an article. You're jostled from behind, look down and suddenly know terror. Your child is missing.

Experiences like this are not uncommon in busy stores. Security experts say, thankfully, most lost children have simply wandered away and are quickly found and returned to their parents.

Ontario's Consumer Ministry consulted with child-safety experts to find out how parents and others can help keep kids safer, in the stores, on the streets and at home.

"To protect children--especially very young ones who might not understand they shouldn't follow strangers--parents need to be cautious at all times," says Rob Radbourn, a sergeant with the Community Policing Support Unit of the Toronto Police Service.

"The problem in the scene just described was that the parent's attention was drawn away," he says. "Any time a situation arises in a public place where adults can't give full attention to children in their care, they should stop what they're doing and make other arrangements.

Radbourn suggests that shopping trips with the kids be kept as brief as possible. Serious shopping should be left for the adult's free time.

People who don't have much time to spare--and that includes most parents these days--may want to work out a schedule with other parents and arrange group shopping trips, with one person staying at home with the kids while the others shop.

If, despite all your precautions, a child goes missing in a store, take the following steps immediately.

• Have the nearest sales clerk call security and the police at the same time.
• Security should monitor building exits and start looking for the child right away.
• The child's name and a description should be announced over the store's public address system.
• Parents should retrace their steps, and go back to stores they have just visited, especially if there was a toy section.

Experts at the national non-profit organization Child Find (Ontario Inc.) say kids should not have name tags on their clothing. They may make a lost child easier to identify, but could also help a potential abductor because small children are likely to trust people who address them by their names.
Once children are old enough to speak clearly they should be taught not to approach any stranger, or to let one into the home.

"Give your children a special password, and tell them not to go with anyone who doesn't know it," says Radbourn.

Children receive some formal safety education when they start school. The "Stay Alert... Stay Safe" program, offered to some extent across most of the country, teaches seven- to 10-year-olds learn to trust their instincts when dealing with strangers. For instance, they're taught the difference between an acceptable conversation with a stranger and an inappropriate approach.

But, for the program to really work, parents' support is vital. If you can't remember Elmer's seven safety rules, or don't know how to streetproof a child, call your local police department. They'll be glad to advise you on the aspects of safety appropriate for the age of your child.

Your attitude toward police in front of children is important. Your kids have to understand that they can always go to a police officer for help.

Some parents confuse small children by showing two different attitudes toward police. On one hand, they tell children' the police are their friends in time of trouble. But they may also say things like, "if you don't clean up that mess I'll have the police come and take you away." If the line sounds familiar, think about it.

Block parents are another source of safety. Block parents are private citizens (and need not be actual parents) who have volunteered to provide help for the community's children and adults. The block parent sign will be displayed in the window only when a responsible person over the age of 18 is available to assist. Block parents are carefully screened by police departments.

The safety of Ontario's children depends on all citizens, not just the parents or police. If you suspect someone is trying to abduct a child, act quickly. Ask "Is that your child?" in a loud clear voice. If it is the parent or caregiver they won't hesitate to tell you. Better a moment's embarrassment than an abducted child.

Information on child safety is available from the following organizations:

Child Find (Ontario) Inc., (905) 842-5353 in the Toronto area or toll free 1-800-387-7962

"Stay Alert... Stay Safe," 2190 Yonge St., 6th fl., Toronto, Ont. M4P 2V8, (416) 480-8225

The Community Policing Support Unit, Toronto Police Service at (416) 808-7051 in Toronto and community officers at local police services across Ontario.