Safer Summer Fun


Summer is an exciting time for kids—what are your child’s plans? Will he or she be spending time home alone? Going to local parks and pools with friends? Attending a sleep-away camp?

NCMEC recommends that parents and guardians consider children’s summer activities, both structured and unstructured, and take responsible actions to keep them safer. The first step is to open the lines of communication.

Kids need to know:
Neighborhood boundaries and whose homes they may visit.
Who to call and where to go in an emergency.
Their full names, address, and telephone number(s).
To keep doors locked and not open the door if they are home alone.
Not to approach a vehicle or accept a ride from anyone without your permission.
To avoid pools and other bodies of water without adult supervision.
Their curfew, and to call you if they will be late.

Other important reminders for parents:
Supervise children at malls, movies, arcades, or parks.
Choose and screen babysitters with care.
Before enrolling your children, investigate daycares, camps, and summer programs thoroughly.
Always listen to your children


Going to an Amusement Park?
Theme parks are great places for family fun. Take time to plan your trip, and talk to your kids about ways to stay safer before you arrive at the park. A few minutes of advance preparation can make your outing more enjoyable and safer for the whole family.

Before you leave:
Make a plan to meet in a specific location should anyone become separated; a good place is the closest Help/Information Center.
Pay attention to where kids are and who they are with at all times.
Tell kids to check first with you before accepting prizes or gifts from anyone.
Tell kids to tell you if anyone makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.
Teach children to runaway and yell, “this person is not my father (mother)!” if someone tries to take them away.
Make sure kids never wear clothing or carry items that display their names.

At the park:
Get a map of the park and immediately show your kids where the Help/Information Centers are located.
Give examples of people who can help (park personnel, mothers with children, etc.) if they become lost.
Have children carry some form of identification and emergency contact information with them.
Accompany young children on rides.
Accompany children to restrooms.
Report suspicious or inappropriate activity immediately.
Immediately report your child missing if you become separated.

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