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KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IN PUBLIC: 10 TIPS TO FOLLOW

*This is a guest article*

As a new parent, teaching your child about staying safe in public can seem rather daunting. You don’t want to scare them, but you do want them to understand the importance of stranger danger.

While tracking your family in a busy crowd can be challenging, it doesn’t have to be such an overwhelming process if you know where to get started. By following some advice, you’ll be able to enjoy yourself without all the extra worry.

Below, we will talk about ten tips that you should follow to keep your children safe in public.

Want to learn more? Then keep on reading.

1. Create a safety plan

If you plan on taking your child out in public, whether it be to a theme park or the grocery store, you should always have a safety plan in place. This should include a meet-up spot if you happen to get separated and a way to contact each other.

It’s also a good idea to explain what you expect from your child. For example, you may teach them to hold your hand when you are out and about or to find you if another adult speaks to them.

By outlining what to do, your child will begin to fall into a routine every time you leave the house. The older they get, the more relaxed you can be.

2. Only attend safe places

One of the most straightforward ways to keep your children safe is to make sure that you only attend safe places. If there is a particular neighborhood that has a bad reputation, you may consider other options before you actually go there.

You can quickly assess this by doing some research online. While it might not be possible all the time, it’s certainly something to take into consideration, especially if you will be going on vacation.

3. Teach the importance of asking permission

If you’ve heard of kidnappings and child trafficking stories, you may be concerned about your child running off without asking. This is why you must teach the importance of asking for permission.

If they want to go somewhere, they need to ensure that you are aware of their location. This isn’t just for teenagers but also young children who may want to go to a particular store, for example.

It will also help if they do happen to get lost, as you’ll be aware of their intended destination.

4. Explain natural instincts

We all have a gut instinct, so when educating your children about stranger danger, explain to them about trusting their feelings. If they feel unsafe, even in a harmless situation, they should leave and find someone they trust.

You can learn more about instinct in children here. Just make sure that you explain it carefully. You don’t want them to use combat or physical violence unless absolutely necessary.

5. Dress your child in bright clothes

You probably know how challenging it can be to find your child in a park. To make things a little easier when on an outing, dress them in bright, unique clothing.

This will allow them to stand out from the crowd, and if something does happen, everybody can band together to help search. Also, it’s much easier to locate someone in a bright red jumper than all black clothing.

6. Give your child contact details

For bustling places where you are more likely to get separated, it’s crucial to give your child a set of contact details. This allows others to easily reach you if they happen to find them.

However, you should avoid labeling their name as much as possible. This can help criminals form trust with your child as they can pretend that they know them.

Instead, stick to an email and phone number on a wristband, small card, or temporary tattoo.

7. Take a photo before you head out

Another thing to get into the habit of before you leave the house is to snap a quick photo of your child. The last thing you want is for something to happen, and you can’t remember what they are wearing.

The photo also helps with easy identification and can really make a big difference if they go missing. It only takes three seconds, and of course, you can permanently delete the photo when you are home safe.

8. Use a tracking app

If your children have their own smartphones, a good idea is to utilize a tracking app. This allows you to find each other easily, and you can get real-time location updates. Some even allow you to chat between members and confirm plans.

A few of the best types that you may want to check out include:

– FamiSafe
– Safe 365
– Sprint Family Locator
– Glympse
– Verizon Family Locator

Just make sure that you aren’t violating anyone’s privacy, as this could lead to further complications with your relationship.

9. Have regular discussions

While this may seem a little obvious, having regular discussions about why it’s essential to be safe is something many families overlook. Taking photographs, using apps, and writing down contact details aren’t going to work unless they understand why you are doing it.

Every so often, speak to your child about what they should do in different scenarios. It will soon become something that comes naturally to them.

10. Allow for independence

Finally, while you may want to keep your child as close to you as possible, this may backfire in the long run. They may try and slip away unnoticed because they wish to be more independent.

As they grow older, allow them to have some freedoms when you are in public. This will establish trust and build a positive relationship between you and them.

Final Words

And that’s it. These were ten tips to follow to keep your children safe. By reading through the above and being vigilant, you will be able to have fun no matter where you are.

You should never fear busy situations. Once everybody is aware of the rules, outings will go smoothly.

Thank you for reading.