Nick Iannelli, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – Children will be among the hundreds of thousands on the National Mall this Inauguration Day and authorities working to keep the crowd safe are offering advice ahead of the ceremony for parents.

“When we have large crowds like this, the reality is a lot of times people will get separated,” says Sgt. Paul Brooks with the U.S. Park Police.

Those monitoring the throngs of people are asking parents to take a some precautions before heading to day’s events Monday.

“It takes a lot of the stress out of an already stressful situation,” says Brooks.

Brooks says parents should put their cellphone number in their child’s pocket and let them know that it’s there.

Parents are also urged to take a photo of their son or daughter that day and hang on to it, just in case.

“With the ability of phones with cameras now, it’s a great thing. You can actually provide a photo that is hours old.”

According to Brooks, some law enforcement officers will be dedicated to investigating missing persons reports. They will be working at “reunification tents” scattered around the mall.

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