Every parent’s nightmare is to lose their child at a major event in a large crowd. Some would say that you should reduce the chances of that happening by avoiding those places. In truth, those situations are pretty difficult to avoid. This is especially true when the events are child friendly and offer the perfect opportunity for your family to get out of the house and have fun.
In an effort to equip you and ease your mind, we have put together a list of tips and tricks you can use to keep your children safe whether or not you’ve lost them in a crowd.
Prepare yourselves, some of these tips include serious prep time and practice.
The number one rule is to always assume that you will get separated. This is one assumption that will trigger proactive steps being taken to prepare yourself and your children for what could happen.
First thing’s first: your aim is not to scare them. Inform your children and prepare them for the “just in case”.
- Have frequent talks on SAFETY with your children
Speak with them about an upcoming event they will be attending with you. Let them know where the event will be, tell them the name of the event. You should also give them an idea of how many persons will be there. This is to prepare them so that they are not taken by surprise when they arrive. In your talk, reinforce the notion of “stranger, danger” and the exceptions to that rule. Create an acronym for them using the word safety such as: Stay Alert For Every Task You do. - Introduce your children to Safety Helpers
The exceptions to the “stranger, danger” rule are safety helpers. Teach your children about persons they can trust in the event of an emergency or if they get lost. Tell them to look out for police officers, soldiers, fire fighters and security guards. These people are usually identified by their uniforms. Some events have assigned safety wardens who would have a uniform or an easily identified item of clothing (usually in the form of branded garment). You can find out from event organisers before heading out and inform your children.
- Get familiar with event layouts
Event organisers usually prepare an event layout for guests/patrons, performers and vendors. Get access to the layout and keep it close. If you can retrieve it before the event, even better! Show it to your children and get them familiar with it.
- Use the PPR rule
Practice, Prepare and Reinforce your plans. Set a plan as a family, prepare where necessary, do a dry run and make changes where you see fit. Find fun ways to reinforce the plans that you have set out. You could create it in the form of a game. This way, it will not feel like a chore for your children.
- Mark the “Home Base”
Once you have solidified the PPR rule, identify the space everyone will head to if they get lost in a crowd. Pick a time of the day or a series of times in which you all should meet if you lose your child.
- Stay close and stay together
This is a simple concept that can be difficult to achieve in large crowds. Though simple, this is of great importance. No matter where you go at the event, everyone goes together. Make it a cardinal rule.
- Hold hands!
Your children might say you embarrass them by holding their hands in public. That’s fine. It is more than okay to embarrass them in this way. Holding their hands is a sure fire way to ensure that everyone stays close at large events.
- Take a photo
When you get to the event. Take a picture of your child or children. If they do get lost, event staff and police officers will be able to easily identify them.
- Light them up!
Give your children shoes that light up when they step and glow sticks that they can place around their necks and wrists. These are perfect to wear to events being held at night.
- Get your child to memorize your phone number and other important details
If they don’t have a cell phone, if your child or children get lost, they will be able to identify the “Safety Helpers” and share the relevant contact details with them. This way, the Safety Helpers will be able to call you and properly address you upon contact. Which tips did we miss? Let us know in the comments section below!