Draft guidance — professional review pending.
AidNow content is under active review. Always contact emergency services for serious emergencies.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Simple steps for a child who is alone and cannot find their parent or guardian.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Stop. Find shop or police. Say your name. Stay where people are.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You cannot see mum, dad, or teacher.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You do not know the way back.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You are scared but many adults will help if you ask at a safe busy place.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Running far makes it harder for parents to find you.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stop. Take a breath.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Look for shop sign or person in uniform.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Walk to counter — tell worker you are lost.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stay inside shop until helper calls your parent.
When and how to get professional help.
Any child alone in public should reach a trusted adult with uniform or shop badge quickly.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Child finds safe helper. Adults who find lost children should follow found-separated-child guidance.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Helper will call 1098 or 112 for you.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Know parent phone number or write it on paper in pocket.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT hide where no one can see you.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT go with someone who says "come to my car" without telling a shop worker.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Hide until parents find you
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Hiding under shelves or bushes delays help. Visible safe spot with an adult is better.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Parents and searchers pass without seeing the child.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Trapped in cave
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person or group is stuck in a cave because of flooding, rockfall, lost passages, or equipment failure.
Confined space
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person is stuck inside a tank, silo, pit, manhole, or storage container with limited air and exit.
Mud or quicksand
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person is sinking or stuck in deep mud, quicksand, tidal flat, or liquefied soil and cannot free themselves.
Elderly missing
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — An older adult with dementia, confusion, or cognitive impairment has wandered away and cannot be located.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Shop staff and police reunite most lost children within minutes when child stays visible.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Childline 1098 helps any child in distress.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Only talk to police — shop people are strangers
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Busy shop with counter staff is a standard safe-help point taught worldwide.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Child stays alone in unsafe area refusing all help.