How To Keep Kids Safe at Parades

Keeping kids safe is the primary goal of parents and caregivers.  All caregivers can give a quick rundown of ways to enhance safety, yet when at crowded places such as at a parade, it becomes much harder to use the same rules.  Instead, parents and caregivers need to take extra precautions to ensure that their children are kept protected and secure.

Be sure to discuss rules with your children before attending the parade.  Keep in mind that it will be loud and hectic at the parade, so it will be difficult for your kids to hear you without getting sidetracked.  Remind your kids of your personal rules, such as holding hands or staying within eyesight.

For younger children, make sure that they know their address and phone number in case they get lost.  One of the best ways to do this is by having an identification card for your child.  Many reputable companies offer IDs for children and parents that include the parents’ contact information, child’s picture and any allergies.  If a child does become lost, the ID cards can be used to help locate the child.

For older kids’ safety at a parade, it’s beneficial to pick a meeting spot in case anyone gets separated from the group.  For younger children, instruct them to find the nearest adult with children or police officer and tell him or her that they are lost.

In order to keep kids safe at parades, it is also important to bring along water, snacks and an extra change of clothes.  Summer parades are often hot and sticky and it’s easy for kids to become dehydrated.  Keep hats on kids to shade them from the sun and reduce the risk of heat stroke.  Use umbrellas to block out the rays and lather on the sunscreen.

Fall and winter parades however are quite cooler, and it will be necessary to bring along extra blankets and gear to keep kids warm. Also pay attention to any rain that may be in the forecast and bring along rain gear and ponchos if necessary.

Another way to keep kids safe at parades is by sitting in a spot that is out of harm’s way.  Choose an area that is not right along the curbside where children could easily jump out into the street.  Bring folding chairs or picnic blankets if possible and set them away from the curb.  Also choose an area that is kid-friendly, perhaps with other children and families sitting nearby.

Because parades are filled with children and noise, it is a good idea to do something that will make your children stand out from the crowd. Opt to dress your kids in the same bright colored shirts or tie a balloon on their wrist.  Of course these tactics only work on very small children, but the younger children are often the ones who wander away.