Thursday's Tip

With the recent Boston bombings filling our TV screens, and with my family planning a trip to New York City next month, I've been in "Safety Mom" mode. Typically, I feel incredibly safe at Walt Disney World. We've been enough times and my kids are comfortable enough with their surroundings that I feel confident that they could handle a situation where they might get separated from us. Here are a few safety tips that will help you and your children feel safe and secure in the crowds and (sometimes) mayhem of Walt Disney World:

• Teach your kiddos to recognize Cast Members. The most obvious way to recognize them is by dress, but you can also teach them to look for their nametags. In the event that a child gets out of your sight, CMs are trained to handle the situation quickly and efficiently.


• Tag your children. It can be a sticker, a bracelet, or anything that can list their name, your name, and your cell phone number. It's probably safest if the information is hidden (some predators will use a parent's name to lure children away), but make it easy for the child to locate in the event of an emergency. Sometimes little ones get flustered when they're lost and can't remember important numbers--having it in an accessible spot (I sticker my girls on the underside of their shirt tail in front, so they can just flip it up to show a CM) allows them to give that information to a CM and be reunited with you faster.


• Carry money and valuables such as tickets in a front pocket, or somewhere close to your body. Don't put your wallet in the front zipper pouch of your backpack--that's just asking for someone to take it.


• Don't leave valuables behind in your stroller. Especially if it's a rental, as other guests might accidentally mistake it for theirs.


• If anyone in your party has a life-threatening medical condition, wear a medic alert bracelet or something that would clearly indicate the nature of your condition to emergency workers. Carry any medication you might need with you into the Parks. Wherever I go, I'm always packing...an epi-Pen, that is, for my oldest daughter (tree nut allergy).


• Believe the best in all people, but prepare for the worst. Mostly, guests at Walt Disney World are basically honest people hoping to share a few days of fun with their families, just like you. But heat and exhaustion and lack of sleep and crowds can cause irritability to escalate into ugliness. If you encounter an angry guest, steer clear if you can. Humor can often diffuse a potentially-nasty situation. As for your own attitude, try taking annoyances in stride and adapt a "go with the flow" mentality. (This does NOT come naturally to me!) It's almost a given that some minor inconvenience will come to hamper a bit of your fun, but fixating and complaining about it is sure to spoil the fun for everyone in your party.


• Finally, obey the rules. They really are there for your safety.