BOISE – With family vacations and festivals in full swing, many Idahoans will find themselves in large crowds this summer. AAA is sharing tips to help protect your loved ones.
“We plan our trips meticulously so we can relax, but if someone in your group goes missing – even for a few minutes – it can max out your stress levels in a hurry,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “A little bit of extra preparation may prevent some worry.”
AAA’s recommendations for navigating large crowds include:
- Take a photo of the entire group as soon as you arrive at the event or theme park each day. That way, you’ll have a current photo of what everyone is wearing.
- Choose a large, prominent landmark as a rendezvous point in case you get separated.
- Show small children what a theme park employee is wearing so that they know who they can approach for help.
- If possible, wear a matching article of clothing for faster identification in a crowd.
- Ensure that affected members of your group have medications and important medical information readily available.
“As your family spends time out in the hot sun, it’s also very important to stay hydrated,” Conde said. “Take water and rest breaks, and make sure everyone is feeling okay throughout the day. Don’t push yourself too hard – if you have a great time, just plan to come back again in the future.”