#1. Lost items or people in a museum setting
Image by Gerd Altmann : Pixabay
This is just meant to be general advice and not used for legal purposes.
If you have lost an item such as a phone, purse, or wallet, speak with the nearest security staff member. Give the security member a description of the item you’ve lost. If it’s your phone, tell them what color case it’s in and, for example, what the background photo or lock screen photo looks like. They can reach out to their supervisor to see if it has been turned in.
Now, depending on how long ago you lost your item, one of two things can happen. Let’s say, for example, that you’ve lost your phone. Stay with the security guard you are reporting this information to; do not walk away. Once they get in contact with their supervisor, if the item was lost a few days ago, if someone found it and turned it in, they will hold it for you.
If the item has not been found, you can give the security guard or supervisor your contact information. If it is turned in, they can call you about your missing phone and tell you to come pick it up.
If you lost the item recently, still have the security guard supervisor take down your phone number and information. If you lost your phone, maybe they can contact you on another device you have. If only a few hours or even a few minutes have gone by, retrace your steps and see if you can find the lost item. Things can and do go missing in museums, so keep with your things, especially if you are traveling abroad.
If someone picked it up and turned it in, it might be at a ticket or admissions desk. If this happens, a nearby security guard might not know your last item was turned in, so it doesn’t hurt to check with the desk, either. I suggest doing this first and then talking to security.
Talk to Museum Security immediately if you have someone missing from the museum. They will contact their supervisor, who will inform all museum staff within the security department about who to look for. It would help if you could give the following information:
The name, age, and appearance of the individual.
Describe to them anything that they are wearing or an item that they have with them, such as a backpack or light-up shoes. If they have any known health concerns or other important matters .
Let security know about your child’s personality and how they might interact when lost. Does your child tend to shy away from people if they feel uncomfortable? Or would they be walking around the museum looking for you? Do they stay in one spot or try and hide?
If you’re at a big museum, describing what your child is wearing can help the museum use its security cameras to find your last child. Have someone in your party return to the last place they were in case the child didn’t wander far away.
This is just meant to be general advice and not used for legal purposes.
