Child safety in large, crowded venues involves more than using family restrooms to avoid being separated and assigning partners for larger groups. As a top priority for parents, grandparents and law enforcement, the challenges for child safety increase at parks, malls and events where distractions are abundant and crowds are dense.

The reality is that a young child is much more likely to wander off in a crowd than encounter a criminal, and there is a difficult balance between protecting your loved ones and instilling fear in a young child. Here are some practical child safety tips that incorporate new technology to ensure the safety of children aged six and younger.

Proactive Child Safety Measures

Communication and Identification

The time to make a plan is before entering a large venue, and most of the child safety measures focusing on communication and identification fall upon the adults to implement. Information can be shared with your children as they grow older and are better able to participate without fear.

Establish a clear plan with your child, including what to do if they get lost. Make sure children know their full name, their parents’ or guardians’ first and last names and your phone number, as well as who to approach for help (security personnel and staff). Make this a game or a regular part of your conversations.

Dress your children in bright, easily recognizable clothing, and take a full-body photo of them in their outfit for the day (include shoes). Although some family members may cringe at the thought, matching shirts can make it easier to locate a missing little one, too. Some families use bracelets, necklaces, clothing labels and even temporary tattoos for contact info, but you’ll want the info to be discreet enough that it is safeguarded unless needed. Have a record of your child’s fingerprints and a DNA sample in case the worst happens.

Register Special Needs

Floridahas the “Protect Our Loved Ones Act,” which, effective January 1, 2024, authorized the creation of a specialized registry for people with disabilities to improve their interactions with law enforcement by informing law enforcement about a person’s disability or special needs. This registry and any information you chose to disclose is completely voluntary. Some benefits of the registry include greater understanding of behaviors and needs should the disabled person become missing or have an encounter with law enforcement. If your child has a confirmed developmental, psychological, or other disability registering with your county sheriffs office may be helpful to ensure local law enforcement had an understanding of behaviors and needs if you are separated from your child.

Establish Checkpoints and Safe Spots

Ideally, if children realize they are lost, it is best to encourage them to stay put until help arrives. However, plan for children to respond differently when they are scared. Make use of venue maps and apps to familiarize yourself and your child with the layout and emergency exits.

Identify and communicate safe spots within the venue where children can go if they get lost, such as information booths, meeting points, lifeguard stations and customer service areas. Teach your child the exact name of the spot, and pick the same spot every time you visit that venue. Show them what to look for to identify staff, such as a shirt with a logo, a name badge, a uniform, a hat, etc.

As you encounter law enforcement officers, make it a point to introduce your children to them and encourage conversations. Point out specifics your child is likely to remember such as the color of the uniform, the shiny badge or the radio for communication. Remember that law enforcement officers are trained for how to best react in emergency situations and how to work with children. If there are officers onsite, make it a practice to point them out to your children as a reminder.

Have Stranger Danger Conversations and Role Play

Ask your child what they’ve learned in school and practice in familiar places such as your local grocery store. Telling you about their lessons can reinforce the main points.

• What would you do if . . .
• If we got separated, who could you ask for help?
• What if someone tries to give you medicine or candy?
• What if someone asks for help finding their sibling or lost dog?
• What if someone asks you to smell something?
• What if you get separated from Mommy and Daddy?

Teach your children not to be afraid to get loud or worry about over-reacting. Assure them that no one will be angry at them because safety always comes first.

Constant Supervision

Always keep children within arm’s reach, especially in high-traffic areas. Utilize strollers or child harnesses for added control and security in particularly crowded environments. Regularly count heads and make frequent visual checks, especially after transitioning between activities or locations. If there are multiple children in your group, make up a sound-off game where everyone gets their own number as a callback.

Consider Available Technology

GPS Tracking: Many smartwatches and phones designed for children come with built-in GPS tracking, allowing parents to monitor their child’s location.

Geofencing: Parents can set safe zones and receive alerts if their child leaves these areas.

SOS Buttons: Wearables, like smartwatches, often include an SOS button that children can press to send an immediate alert to their parents.

Smart Backpacks: These backpacks can include GPS tracking and RFID tags to help monitor a child’s location and ensure they have their belongings.

Phones: Phones can be set to only contact trusted relatives and 911.

Child Locator Keychains: Not only do these have cute, kid-friendly designs, but they also can attach to a belt loop or shoes. Some will emit a loud, shrieking sound if you are separated.

The safety of young children in large venues relies on a combination of proactive planning, ongoing supervision and the effective use of modern technology. By following these guidelines, parents and grandparents can significantly reduce the risk of their child becoming lost or endangered in a crowded venue. Staying informed and prepared ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved, allowing families to focus on making positive memories.

For more information on child safety, contact your local sheriff’s office.