Keeping Kids Safe in Crowded Places
Taking vacations with your family can be just as much fun as it is stressful. Any parent knows planning for vacations can involve a lot of prep work, and anxiety levels seem to increase as you are constantly on alert, playing safety patrol. To help with the planning, we’ve compiled some safety tips, precautions and procedures to think about and cover so you keep safety your number one priority and still have fun while you vacation!
Have a Plan
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) urges parents to discuss safety before traveling. It’s important to have a plan to fall back on if you do get separated from your children or if another emergency occurs, such as a fire or other natural disasters. “Every morning before we set out for the day, we talk about safety and go over our family emergency plan,” says Abigail Reece, Parkville.
Separated
Teach your child to spot someone that can help him, such as a uniformed officer, a mother with children or uniformed work personnel, if they do get separated from you.
For older children, pre-designate a common meeting place, and for younger children, encourage them to stay in the place they lost you; explain to them it will be easier for you to find them if they don’t wander off trying to look for you.
Dress the Part
Dress your children in bright colors that are easy to spot in a crowded place. Do not dress them in anything that has their name on it or something that will give an unwanted stranger an invitation to ask questions or strike up a conversation with your child. “I’m not that type of mom to make t-shirts for special events, but when we travel, I dress them in fluorescent colors so I can spot them in an instant,” Jennifer Daniels, Kansas City, says.
Physically Connected
Use a baby wrap, sling or front carrier to tote children 0-2. This will free your hands from pushing a stroller, allowing you to hold other hands or luggage. Consider a leash for children that are ages 3-5. While this might be a controversial topic, the bottom line is that there is something tangible linking you to your flight-prone, exploring little tot. Create a buddy system for your older children.
In Touch with Technology
Relying on cell phones can be a gamble, especially if you are in a crowded place or overseas. To stay in touch, use two-way radios or walkie-talkies. Check out websites like Trip Advisor to read safety reviews left by other parents, or you can register for free at www.AlertID.com to get updated alerts in your current area, report suspicious activity and alert authorities right away if your child goes missing.
Properly Identified
Make sure that all children have their addresses and phone numbers memorized, or for younger children, pin an ID card to the inside of their clothing. Also include the name of the hotel or place you are staying while vacationing. “I usually write my name and cell phone number on my kid’s arm when I know we will be in a crowded place,” says Andrea Hartman, Lee’s Summit. You can go to www.MissingKids.com to create an ID kit for each child so you have something to hand over to the police if, God forbid, your child becomes lost.
Role Play
When out preparing for your trip, take that time to point out and practice safety skills. Ask your children what they would do if they got separated from you, what they would say if a stranger approached them and asked for help or if someone tried to take them away. Talk about their responses and encourage the correct way to respond or act in those situations.
As parents you want to expose your children to new places and create new memories; ensure their safety and your sanity by taking the time to follow a few extra steps of precaution.
Jennifer Duxbury is a SAHM from Olathe who actively practices safety precautions while she travels to ensure her sanity and the safety of her family.