15 Unique and Life Saving Safety Tips for when Your Family is Out and About

Whether your family is vacationing in a new city with many attractions, events and activities for you to visit or they are simply planning a trip to a local park, zoo, museum or other activity the safety of our children is always a concern. How will we handle the bathroom? What if we become separated? What if a stranger approaches your child? Many security questions puzzle parents but there are some ways in which to put your mind at rest as well as provide for the safety and well being of your children.

Click with your clothing

When working in daycares and schools many years ago, children didn't have a "school" shirt or uniform to identify them. We have learned from that and now many schools require that all children on a field trip wear the same shirt. There is a reason for that. Teachers and helpers can quickly and easily identity the children in their group and hopefully see one that "stands out" from the crowd quickly should they become separated. Families should try the same trick. Have the family all wear matching colors on days when they will be out and about, whether at a park or a shopping mall. The reason is two-fold. First, you can keep an eye out for that color shirt when looking for your children. Secondly, should you become separated you quickly and easily provide the color of clothing information to security or the police. "What was he wearing?" is one of the first things an officer will ask you.

Another mother recommends wearing bright, solid color clothing. This way she can quickly and easily identify which children are hers in a crowded environment such as a museum or amusement park.

Avoid placing clothing on your child that indicates their school, more importantly their name. This information can be used to gain your child's attention and trust.

Sell these cell phone ideas to keep your children safe

While your child may be too young to carry a cell phone you can "sell" the importance of having cell phone information available. Consider making a beaded bracelet with the words cell phone on it and mom or dad's cell phone number. Create a lanyard or necklace with laminated "mommy" cards including mom's name and telephone number to wear around your child's neck. This way in a stressful situation your child doesn't have to remember the telephone number they can look down and see it and responsible professionals can quickly contact you . After all, even a three year old can point to the bracelet and say "Mommy phone."

Another tip and trick to help your family stay safe is to include an "in case of emergency" telephone number. If something should happen to you or your child, police and fire can quickly contact the appropriate person using your in case of emergency information, instead of searching through your 100 telephone numbers to everyone from your cousin Sue to the pizza place that delivers.

Don't like the ICE idea? Use titles instead of names on your cell phone. Indicate on your child's phone mom, dad, or step parent. On your personal phone use the words spouse, husband, wife, or partner. This way emergency officials can easily contact the appropriate people.

Take a little trip to the local Fire or Police Station

Many local stations like mine will offer tours of the facilities. Your children can meet firefighters and police officers, become aware of what they look like, that clothing they may have and the types of cars and trucks that they drive. This will help them in recognizing those that they can trust to ask for help. Contact your local fire and police station to find out if tours are offered for your family or playgroup.

Say I do to ID's

Many of us know about the basic ID kits that are free and given out to parents from schools that include a little mini fingerprint kit and a place to put a picture. These are nice, but let's go high tech and say I Do, to ID's. Our local police department provides identification cards as a community service. Your child's age, name, location, fingerprint, birthmark and other identifying factors as well as your photo and your child's are placed on a card for your use and in a data base for officials to use to issue an Amber Alert or missing or stolen child. This information is immediately transferred to local and national law enforcement agencies, saving hours of time when it is greatly needed, but remains secure with only access available to law enforcement and the parent or guardian that sets up the "account."

Make some noise

Place whistles or other loud sound makers in your child's pocket, around their wrist or on a keychain. This way they can blow the whistle to make lots of noise to get attention should they become lost, separated or approached by a stranger.

Explain to your children that when a stranger tries to take them that it is "ok" to make some noise. Yell and scream at the top of their lungs. Give their best temper tantrum a workout. This is one time that being loud and proud is not only acceptable but could be life saving.

Are you visiting a Theme/Amusement park soon? Be sure to use these tips as well as Theme Park Safety: What Every Kid Should Know.

Most importantly talk to your children. Let them know in age appropriate terms why these tips are necessary and empower them to find ideas that will work for them. Teach them some basic life skills like screaming, yelling, and fighting back should a stranger try to touch them. Nothing can take the place of vigilance and preparation when caring for the safety of our children but they need to know that sometimes they don't have to be "good" and that working together the whole family can try to stay safe.

Sources

Personal Experience

McGruff

Childquest.org

FBI for Kids