keeping kids
safe
in public places
T
he kids are off school just a little longer. The weather is nice. Summer comes with more activities for everyone—but’s it’s prime time for events specially geared toward families and kids. Opportunities abound for fun things like water parks and big outdoor events, plus the usuals, like the zoo and park. Unfortunately, all the warm weather fun also means sizeable crowds. It’s important to keep kids safe in public places. There are a few ways you can help do so beforehand. Have a plan and make it a regular conversation. Do not let the first time you talk about safety in a public place be right before a large event!
How to prepare your child for a public place It’s important to prepare your child before entering a public place. Children as young as 2 can practice their own names.
22 august 2023
kcparent.com
Knowing their parents’ full names and what to do if they get lost is an important aspect of staying safe in public. Older children can learn their parents’ phone numbers and their address. They can also help monitor their younger siblings in large crowds. Practice identifying “tricky” people with your child. Often, children assume all strangers are unsafe. In contrast, they assume all familiar adults are safe adults— but neither always holds true. Talk to your child about unsafe or uncomfortable situations. These are conversations you should always have. Work them into everyday language, without making it scary or a big deal. Reassure your child you have strategies in place for both yourself and them if something were to happen.
What to do if they get lost A parent—or child—never wants to think about what will happen if they get
separated from each other. Unfortunately, things can happen. Equip your children with strategies to use if they get separated from their caretakers. Some helpful tips include:
• Stay where they last saw you. If you
are looking for a child, it’s faster to go back to the last place you were together. This cuts down on the time the child is missing.
• Find the closest employee. If a child
gets lost at a zoo or theme park, you want a fast solution. The fastest and safest way for them to be found is to go to the first employee they see. Teach your child to look for someone wearing a certain uniform or with a name tag.
• If they cannot locate an employee,
a child should locate the closest adult. Often, a mother or father with children is a reliable choice.