7 situational-awareness tips every parent should know when out with children

• Parents should stay alert in public places and avoid distractions such as spending too much time on their phones.

• Keep children within sight, especially in crowded places, and avoid leaving them unattended when using public washrooms.

• Teach children basic safety habits and have a simple plan for what to do if they become separated.

Taking children to public places can be enjoyable, but it also requires parents and caregivers to remain alert to what is happening around them.

Busy shopping centres, markets, parks, restaurants, beaches and transport terminals can quickly become distracting, making it easy for a parent to lose sight of a child even for a short time.

Simple habits such as staying attentive, keeping children within sight and having a plan in case you get separated can help reduce unnecessary risks.

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Here are seven situational-awareness tips every parent should know when out with children.

If you need to use a public bathroom or washroom, avoid leaving a young child unattended outside while you go in. Also, avoid leaving your child alone to go inside a washroom.

In a busy public place, a child can move away, become distracted or be approached by someone before you return.

Where possible, take the child with you or have a trusted adult remain with them.

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A phone can easily take your attention away from what is happening around you.

When walking with children, avoid being so absorbed in calls, messages or social media that you stop paying attention to where your child is and who is around them.

Being present allows you to notice if your child moves away, someone approaches them or the situation around you changes.

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Crowded environments can make it easy for children to disappear from view.

When visiting markets, malls, parks, beaches or other busy locations, keep younger children close and regularly check where they are.

If you are moving through a crowd, hold their hand where appropriate and avoid allowing them to walk several steps ahead or behind you.

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Parents should be observant when someone they do not know attempts to distract them or get unusually close to their child.

This does not mean assuming every stranger has bad intentions. Instead, pay attention to unusual behaviour and trust your judgment if a situation makes you uncomfortable.

Keep your child close and do not allow unnecessary access to them.

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Before entering a busy place, think about what you and your child should do if you become separated.

Teach older children to stay in a safe, visible location rather than wandering around looking for you.

Depending on their age, teach them to seek help from identifiable people such as security personnel or staff members.

You can also establish a simple meeting point when visiting large places with older children.

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Situational awareness should not be left entirely to parents.

Children can gradually be taught simple habits appropriate for their age, such as staying close to their caregiver, not following strangers and telling a trusted adult if someone makes them uncomfortable.

They should also know their parent or caregiver's name and how to seek help if they become separated.

Parents should remain attentive not only at the destination but also while travelling.

Pay attention when getting in and out of vehicles, crossing roads, walking through car parks or moving between crowded areas.

Avoid distractions that could make it difficult to notice traffic, unfamiliar people or where your child is.

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Situational awareness does not mean constantly expecting something bad to happen.

It means paying attention to your surroundings, knowing where your child is and thinking ahead about what could go wrong.

Simple habits such as putting the phone away, keeping children within sight and having a plan for separation can help parents respond more quickly when something unexpected happens.