Are you planning to run some festivals this summer? You will have fun guaranteed! However, crowds, excessive heat and the sometimes chaotic atmosphere of large gatherings can bring their share of risks for the kids.
Here are some safety tips for young and old to fully enjoy these beautiful moments.
Before you arrive
Remind all family members of your safety instructions. We hold mom or dad's hand, we always stay within arm's length of another family member, etc. Each family has its own safety rules.
Leave your cell phone number to your children. Slip a piece of paper with your number into their pockets or provide a small temporary bracelet where you will have entered your contact details. Very practical for young children if they ever get lost in the crowd. This way, you can be reached easily.
Agree on a meeting point. Establish together a place where the whole family will meet in the event that someone gets lost. If your children are too young to situate themselves well in a public place, tell them to whom theycan ask for help if needed, such as the staff responsible for the event where you are. Remind them not to follow any stranger, even if they are lost.
Plan for more than less. Hats for everyone, ice packs (commonly called icepacks), plenty of snacks, water or drinks, sunscreen and sunglasses for everyone. The better equipped you are, the more fun you will have. And of course, the baby carrier is an essential in crowded places if you're going out with a baby.
Team up with your spouse. Several children in a crowd can quickly become difficult to supervise. Agree with dad who watches whom to make a good team.
Dress in a bright color. This trick may seem trivial, but it will be of great use to you in a few seconds to spot the orange sweater of your youngest among the crowd. If you feel like taking it to the extreme, have fun dressing the whole family in the same color.
On site
Avoid heatstroke by taking breaks in the shade and drinking cold drinks regularly. The famous ice packs can be very useful in lowering body temperature. Place them under the armpits or around the neck for a few seconds in extreme heat.
Avoid sunburn by applying sunscreen 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapplying sunscreen every twohours.
And the noise in all this?
Everyone has a different tolerance to ambient noise. For babies and young children and depending on the type of festival you attend, bring noise-canceling earmuffs to protect your little ones' hearing. They will prove to be very practical if baby needs to fall asleep in the middle of a show !
Also check out our baby survival guideat festivals for more tips for your minis.
Read also: festivals not to miss this summer
