From a visit to the amusement park to outdoor concerts, families gather in throngs to enjoy their favorite summer past-times. Unfortunately, crowds also attract a criminal element ranging from thieves to child abductors. Furthermore, cars can break down and even a natural disaster, such as an earthquake, can occur. According to experts at Andrews International, Inc. – the largest private American-owned full service provider of security and risk mitigation services – the following tips can help parents minimize risk and ensure safe family fun during summer outings.

1. Ground Rules: Before leaving, parents should review the day’s itinerary with their family. Guidelines as to where everyone may go should be explained. Additionally, set a place to meet in the event of an emergency or communication breakdown (because cell phones can lose power). Also, because criminals are far more likely to prey upon individuals, insist upon the “buddy system” and particularly make sure younger children hold hands to keep from venturing off alone.

2. Dress for Safety: People may walk by cars and buildings with alarms ringing, but whistles blown frantically always get attention – so parents should make sure all family members wear one on a necklace, wristband or key chain. Add a small, personal flashlight to each family member’s take-along items; ideal for dark parking lots or if a facility loses power. According to the 9/11 Commission Report, personal flashlights could have prevented injury and death as people stumbled over each other during the Twin Tower tragedies. Additionally, make sure everyone has extra “emergency money;” bills in case a cab ride is needed to leave a trouble zone, coins for a pay phone if a cell phone loses power.

3. Cell It: Family communications in a crowded setting is critical, so everyone should have fully-charged cell phones. Children should understand dialing 911 will route a call to local highway patrol, that they need to tell an operator “this is an emergency” and not a vehicle issue, and know the location of where they are. Mobile phones and service providers with GPS capabilities allow a child to be tracked at all times. This can also be used by parents to establish a “geographic fence” around a location. If a child strays into an area where they shouldn’t be, leaves the premises entirely, or even if a driving-aged teenager exceeds a speed limit, a parent can automatically be alerted by a call or email to their device. For that matter, some GPS manufacturers place the technology in such items as wristwatches.

4. Nothing Personal: Criminals look for personal information. A backpack with an embroidered ID, a youth football sticker on a car with a child’s name and town…it might be all an abductor needs to lure a child, so avoid displaying items that provide personal information in public settings. Also, keep all cell phones locked in case they are stolen or misplace. Not only can phone numbers be used to stalk or harass a family, people store a variety of other personal information on these devices, from passwords to account numbers.

5. Don’t Forget The Car: At the end of a fun, exhausting day it’s easy to let your guard down. Criminals count on that and it’s when many problems occur. When approaching a car, parents should look at the vehicles around theirs to see if anyone appears to be suspiciously waiting and check their own backseats. To enhance safety in a vehicle, a 72-Hour First Aid Kit should be kept. This should hold basic medical supplies, blankets, water and other necessities capable of sustaining a family for 72 hours in the event a car breaks down or a natural disaster occurs. Make sure comfortable footwear is included in case there’s walking to be done.