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FESTIVITIES TIPS
Fairs, Festivals, and Amusement Park
Safety...How to Keep Your Child Safe from Strangers this
Summer
by Michelle Annese
How do you keep your child ‘stranger safe’ this
summer? Now children are out of school, there is more
time for families to make life-lasting memories when going
out to enjoy fairs, festivals, and amusement parks. Here’s
a plan to keep them safe.
Parents, you know there is always an increase in anxiety
and stress when going on family outings and when the safety
security of your family is on your mind. Not sure where
to start? Take a few minutes and start with a family safety
plan by following some of these easy steps so it’s
not just the kids having all the fun…you can too!
Before going to the event, tell your child…
…to have fun while paying attention to where they
are and who they are with at all times.
…they should not be alone in the park or become isolated
with anyone, even characters in costume. Tell them not
to accept any prizes, offers, or gifts from anyone until
they have checked with you FIRST.
…they should be cautioned not to engage in conversation
with or offer assistance to anyone until they have checked
with you.
…to tell you if anyone approaches them or makes them
feel uncomfortable. Tell you children if they are approached
by anyone who tries to take them to yell “This person
is not my father (mother)!” and do whatever they
need to do (kick, punch, scratch,) to get away from that
person.
… if you become separated in the park to go to the
closest “Help/Information Center” to ask the
people there to “find my parents and bring them to
me here at this Center” or, in the case of older
children, make the “Help/Information Center”
the spot where you can “meet up”. Make sure
your child understands they should never search for you
on their own or look for you outside the park, especially
in the parking lot.
…these rules also apply when they are taking part
in a field trip through their school or youth group. If
you are not joining them for the trip, they need to check
first with and tell the responsible adult in charge or
a designated chaperone if anything is wrong.
As a parent you should…
…get all the information about the park prior to
you trip, and review the park guidelines, particularly
those regarding lost children. Discuss the information
with your family, including what to do if you become separated.
As your children what they would do in certain situations,
and practice appropriate actions and responses with your
children.
…get a map immediately arriving, identify the “Help/Information
Centers” throughout the park and reinforce the idea
these are the places for children to go to in case you
become separated in the park. Making a plan before hand,
in case you are separated, should greatly speed up the
reunion.
…talk to your child about who can help them if they
become lost, need help, or are in trouble. Examples: park
personnel with nametags or uniforms or mothers with strollers
and children.
… never let your child use public bathrooms or changing
facilities alone.
…not put your child’s name prominently displayed
on clothing, backpacks, or jewelry.
…make sure your child has emergency contact numbers
with them if they ever need assistance including your
cell phone numbers.
…dress your child in or asking them to wear brightly
colored clothes so you can easily spot them in the park.
…accompany young children on rides in the park. Older
children should stay in groups and take a friend with
them wherever they go in the park. If you decide to let
young children go on rides without you, wait with them
in line, watch them enter the ride, and immediately meet
them when they exit the ride.
…immediately report any suspicious or inappropriate
behavior to authorities.
…make certain your child has change to use the telephone.
If you have a cell phone or pager, make certain your children
know those numbers and how to activate them on the phone.
Parents might want to invest in two way radios so family
members can keep in contact with each other.
…immediately report your child missing if you become
separated. Be prepared to give an accurate and detailed
description of your child. You should carry recent photograph
and be able to accurately describe the clothing the child
is wearing
…make certain there is going to be qualified supervision
of the children by responsible adults when granting permission
for your child to go on a field trip.
By taking the time to share with your family a safety
plan for your next trip to a fair, festival or amusement
park fun can be had by all. Without the worry of a family
member missing or lost.
*information source: The National Center for Missing &
Exploited Children (www.missingkids.com )*
About the Author
Michelle Annese is a 3rd degree black belt with 15+ years
experience teaching self defense and safety for women
and children. She is a World Martial Arts Hall of Fame
inductee for Achievement and creator of The SafeGuard
System for Kids. For more information on how to protect
yourself and your family go to http://www.michelleannese.com
and check out other articles by Michelle Annese and get
her free weekly safety tips e-newsletter |
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