There are other things you can do as a parent to "lost-proof" your family members, or at least make them easier to find:

Take footprints. Put a length of heavy-duty aluminum foil on a carpet and have your kids walk across it wearing his or her "outdoor" shoes. Write the youngster's name on the foil and keep the footprint in a safe place. This will help searchers distinguish your child's tracks from others.

Dress everyone in bright, colorful clothing. Avoid dark or camouflage outdoor wear, especially for children. Make them easy to see.

Put together a mini survival kit for each member of your family to carry on hikes. Keep it small, simple, and light, so your children won't be overwhelmed by extra gear or object too much to toting it. Use a plastic zip-lock sandwich bag and fill it with:

One or two high-energy snack bars. A loud whistle. A two-foot-by-three-foot signal flag cut from a bright orange plastic garbage bag. A whole orange garbage bag folded up tight for use as an emergency poncho. A lightweight flashlight and/or glow-sticks.

Of course, other items can be added—reflector mirrors, extra clothing, etc. But remember that each item adds weight. Keep in mind, too, that kids are going to want to blow that whistle and eat those trail snacks at the first opportunity. Stress the importance of using the kit only in a real emergency.

Show your kids how each item is used. Show them how to blow on the whistle three times, pause, then blow three more times, and so on, to call for help. Tell them the signal flag will make it easier for searchers to find them, and show them how to spread it out on the ground and weight it down with rocks or wood. Show them, too, how to tear a face-size slit on the side of the garbage-bag"poncho," just below one bottom corner, to make a face opening.

Teach your kids trail savvy. When you're hiking, show them trail markers and explain how they're used. Study maps together. Point out landmarks and, later, make a game of spotting them. If you're camping, point out notable features near your campsite. Some parents use brightly colored forestry or "flagging" tape, sold at many outdoor stores, to mark off a safe zone around camp.

File a Plan

Finally, no matter whether you're going into the woods alone or in a group, for a short walk or an extended trip, always leave a "flight plan"—preferably written—with someone at home. That person should know what area you'll be in, what trails you intend to take, and when to expect you back.

If you follow these simple "lost-proofing" rules and teach them to your children, you'll all be able to enjoy the outdoors more fully and more safely.

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