ARKANSAS, USA — The Fort Smith Police Department is offering tips to help parents make sure their children are safe during the total solar eclipse on April 8.
Although it is a scary thought, police say before the big event, it is a good idea to have a photo of your child from that day in case they get lost. Make sure you have a detailed description that is helpful to police when looking for your child.
Additionally, make sure your child has contact information on them to reach you or knows your phone number by memory.
Here's what police say you should do in the worse case scenario.
If you lose your child out of your sight
- Stay calm. Keeping your composure will help you think more clearly.
- Call police immediately and alert event organizers.
- When looking for your child, start by looking at nearby areas first.
- If police are looking for your child, stay nearby for updates or incase your child returns on their own.
Police also reminds you to keep your phone on and make sure it is charged so that you are reachable.
Regardless of if your child is lost or not, police warns parents to be cautious with the use of social media. Police say while it can be a useful tool, it can also alert predators.
Finally, make sure your child has proper glasses to protect their eyes from the eclipse.
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