Lost Child Prevention Strategy

Purchase a small flash drive for each child, and each adult that is carrying a cell phone.

• Create a text (.txt) file on your computer, name the file “I am lost READ ME.txt”, and in the file:
  • List the name and number of each adult with a cell phone.
  • List a codeword.
  • List any other information you think is necessary, such as special medical information on the child
  • Include a statement the finder should call one of the cell phone numbers and ask for the codeword. For even more security, also state that the person coming to pick up the child will have a matching drive that will have the codeword on it and that the handwriting on the drive label will match the handwriting on the child’s drive label.
• Copy the file onto each drive.
• On each drive, make a label and attach it to the outside of the drive. On the label, handprint the words “I’m Lost! Read Me” or other words of your choice.
• Each adult carrying a cell phone will carry one of the drives.
• Attach the child’s drive the child’s clothing or backpack, hang around the child’s neck, put in child’s pocket, etc.
• Instruct the child that, if he or she becomes lost, to find an adult and show them the drive.