Safe

Shopping centres

Whose children love heading up on the escalators which are heading down? Or jump in and out and ride on the sides of the shopping trolley – better yet – steer it themselves? Often, shopping trolleys and prams are not allowed on escalators and must use lifts instead. Children playing on trolleys or escalators can cause injury to themselves and others. Discourage children from playing where they shouldn’t – a warning from security personnel could be embarrassing.

Many shopping centres have designated play areas for children, generally for certain ages and may have rules regarding footwear and food. Parental supervision is also required and play areas should not be treated as a drop off while you go and shop. There are businesses which provide customer-only supervised ball-rooms or crèche arrangements while parents conduct their business within.

Don’t let children touch items in stores which may result in you paying for broken stock or cluttering aisles and risking injury to other shoppers. Keep your children strapped into trolleys and prams, or carefully supervise and hold hands with children who are walking.

If your child gets lost or you have a safety concern regarding a particular shopping centre get in touch with the customer service desk or follow up with centre management.

Featured  safety resources

 Wherever you are in Australia, these featured resources are available nationally.

Please navigate through the subsections above to find more local or specific contacts.

National contacts

This is a brief list of organisations listed throughout the Safe section, which provide a national emergency or safety service. For specific services or to see what’s available in a local area please browse the subsections in the menu above.

000 Triple Zero emergency

Ambulance, Fire, Police

Poisons Information

24 hour

State Emergency Services

24 hour

Translating and Interpreting Service

24 hour

State and local areas

Alcoholics Anonymous

24 hour

Crime Stoppers

24 hour

Kids Help Line

24 hour

Lifeline

24 hour

Emergency contact list

View details and download

Also see >

Emergency and advice

– Contacts and resources

 

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Acknowledgement of Country

In the spirit of reconciliation Children's Guide acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.