Family outings can be exciting experiences for children. However, when many people gather in one place (often outdoors), these busy environments can increase the risk of injuries.
Large crowds can form in a variety of places, including:
- music and community festivals
- parades
- fireworks displays
- amusement parks
- sporting events
- densely populated cities
- transit hubs (e.g., airports, train stations, subway systems)
- major tourist attractions
- shopping malls and markets
- political demonstrations.
Crowds are usually at their largest during evenings and weekends, peak commuting hours, holiday seasons, and immediately after large events conclude. With some planning and awareness, families can reduce risks and ensure outings are both fun and safe.
Plan ahead before you go
Preparation is one of the most important steps in preventing injuries.
Know the venue
- Check if there are family-friendly areas, first aid stations and quieter spaces available.
- Locate emergency exits when you arrive.
- Review a map of the area, if possible.
Choose a meeting point
- Pick a visible, easy-to-find location in case anyone becomes separated.
Share contact information
- Older children should know your phone number.
- Younger children can wear an ID bracelet or tag with a parent or caregiver’s contact information.
Pack thoughtfully
Consider bringing:
- water and snacks
- sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), hats or other weather-appropriate clothing
- ear protection for loud events
- cooling items (such as a small fan or damp cloth) in hot weather and heating items (such as blankets or hand warmers) in cold weather
- an umbrella to protect from the rain or sun.
Plan supervision
Ensure there is a dedicated adult responsible for supervising children. This adult should not be distracted or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Navigating crowds safely
Crowded environments increase the risk of separation and crush injuries.
Staying together in crowds
- Children should always stay with a parent, guardian or assigned buddy.
- Hold hands with young children. A wrist link or backpack harness may be helpful for toddlers in very busy settings.
- Avoid distractions such as phones when walking through dense areas.
- Stay near the edges of crowds, when possible, where movement is easier.
- If a crowd becomes too dense, leave early. Move diagonally toward the edge rather than pushing directly against the flow.
What to do if your child becomes separated
Before the event, create a simple plan with your child of what they should do if they get lost or cannot find you. Review simple instructions with them such as, “Stay where you are, find staff, and wait for me.”
Teach them to:
- Communicate their full name and your phone number. If they are too young to remember your phone number, use an ID bracelet or tag to write your contact information.
- Ask uniformed staff or event personnel for help—not other attendees.
Identify official “safe spots,” such as information booths or first aid stations, where lost children can be reunited with caregivers.
Preventing common injuries
Slips, trips and falls
Falls are common at outdoor events.
- Watch for wet, uneven or cluttered surfaces.
- Keep children in designated walking areas.
- Avoid carrying children on your shoulders in crowded or uneven environments. Do not allow individuals to carry children if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Do not allow climbing on barriers, railings, stages or vehicles.
Crowd safety
- Do not push or rush.
- Be aware of sudden crowd movement.
- Lift small children only if it is safe to do so.
- In the event of an emergency, stay calm. Children are more likely to follow instructions when adults model calm behaviour.
- Use strollers and baby carriers carefully. They can become trapped in dense crowds. When using a baby carrier, ensure your child’s face is always visible and unobstructed. Crowd pressure or fabric shifting can increase the risk of suffocation.
Firework safety
- Stay in designated viewing areas.
- Never allow children to handle fireworks.
- Supervise children closely near displays.
- Talk to older children and teens about the risk of severe burns and other injuries from improper use.
Health and weather safety
Children can overheat and become dehydrated more quickly than adults.
- Offer fluids regularly.
- Provide frequent snack breaks.
- Apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and reapply as directed.
- Use shade, hats and lightweight clothing in hot weather.
- Consider attending events in the morning or evening to avoid peak heat hours.
- In cold or rainy weather, dress children in appropriate layers.
- Know where first aid tents and medical staff are located when you arrive.
Transportation safety
Busy events often mean increased traffic and crowded transit.
Walking
- Cross only at designated crosswalks.
- Remind children that roads may be busier than usual.
Public transit
- Hold children’s hands on platforms.
- Keep them close when boarding or exiting buses and trains.
Car travel
- Use age- and size-appropriate car seats or booster seats on the way to and from the event.