Kid"s Sporting Events - Safe Or Sorry?
Some of my fondest memories are those involving one of my kid's athletic events.
The whole atmosphere is one that fosters laughter, excitement, competition and sense of community.
An environment that would seem to exude all that is good.
Yet it's at gatherings like these where our personal security and our belongings become quite vulnerable.
I'd like to suggest a few things to ensure your "Super Saturday" is, in fact, a safe and cheerful one.
Our children's personal security should always be our primary concern.
Whether it's a soccer, little league or Pop Warner game, large chaotic gatherings of children are a primary target for deviant opportunists.
Statistics support the notion that these venues are a fertile hunting ground for predators like child abductors and rapists, not to mention generally deviant behavior.
This type of setting also provides an opportunity for unsupervised kids to engage in a number of undesirable activities.
These might include: hurtful practical jokes, bullying, fighting and even the distribution of alcohol or drugs.
Most, if not all, of these dangers can be eliminated by simply keeping your child within your immediate supervision.
Eliminate the opportunity for your kiddo to be isolated.
At the younger ages, always have an adult accompany them to the concession stand and restroom.
Older, more independent kids should try to stay in groups of 3 or more.
No children, at any age, under any circumstance, should go into a parking lot alone.
Educate your kids to be very wary of strangers.
Predators are crafty and aren't easily identifiable.
Remember, they don't look like monsters...
they look like Mr.
Smith, next door.
The helter-skelter environment at these outings welcomes the opportunity for petty theft.
It should go without saying, but be sure to lock you car doors.
It's also a good idea to secure valuables out of sight, such as in the glove box or console.
In this day and age, handheld electronic devices are primary targets.
Personal items such as: canopies, chairs, coolers and sports accessories are also easy marks.
Be sure to write your name (with indelible ink) on all of these types of items.
No matter how harmless an environment seems, don't leave your things unattended.
A personal experience...
At one of my daughter's soccer tournaments, we had a gap of a few hours between games.
It was very hot and we decided to grab a bite at an air-conditioned restaurant.
After mulling it over, the group collectively agreed to leave our canopies and chairs set-up (and unattended) at the fields while we ate.
Upon returning, 2 canopies, 10 folding canvas chairs and 2 almost fully-loaded ice chests had been swiped.
Nice, huh? Hundreds of people around, yet nobody saw a thing.
We learned our lesson! It's a shame that we can't always feel safe and secure, especially at what would seem to be a threat-free gathering like a kid's sporting event.
Fact is, the world is not always a nice place.
Take a few precautions to guard against having your outing go awry.
"Game on" everyone!
The whole atmosphere is one that fosters laughter, excitement, competition and sense of community.
An environment that would seem to exude all that is good.
Yet it's at gatherings like these where our personal security and our belongings become quite vulnerable.
I'd like to suggest a few things to ensure your "Super Saturday" is, in fact, a safe and cheerful one.
Our children's personal security should always be our primary concern.
Whether it's a soccer, little league or Pop Warner game, large chaotic gatherings of children are a primary target for deviant opportunists.
Statistics support the notion that these venues are a fertile hunting ground for predators like child abductors and rapists, not to mention generally deviant behavior.
This type of setting also provides an opportunity for unsupervised kids to engage in a number of undesirable activities.
These might include: hurtful practical jokes, bullying, fighting and even the distribution of alcohol or drugs.
Most, if not all, of these dangers can be eliminated by simply keeping your child within your immediate supervision.
Eliminate the opportunity for your kiddo to be isolated.
At the younger ages, always have an adult accompany them to the concession stand and restroom.
Older, more independent kids should try to stay in groups of 3 or more.
No children, at any age, under any circumstance, should go into a parking lot alone.
Educate your kids to be very wary of strangers.
Predators are crafty and aren't easily identifiable.
Remember, they don't look like monsters...
they look like Mr.
Smith, next door.
The helter-skelter environment at these outings welcomes the opportunity for petty theft.
It should go without saying, but be sure to lock you car doors.
It's also a good idea to secure valuables out of sight, such as in the glove box or console.
In this day and age, handheld electronic devices are primary targets.
Personal items such as: canopies, chairs, coolers and sports accessories are also easy marks.
Be sure to write your name (with indelible ink) on all of these types of items.
No matter how harmless an environment seems, don't leave your things unattended.
A personal experience...
At one of my daughter's soccer tournaments, we had a gap of a few hours between games.
It was very hot and we decided to grab a bite at an air-conditioned restaurant.
After mulling it over, the group collectively agreed to leave our canopies and chairs set-up (and unattended) at the fields while we ate.
Upon returning, 2 canopies, 10 folding canvas chairs and 2 almost fully-loaded ice chests had been swiped.
Nice, huh? Hundreds of people around, yet nobody saw a thing.
We learned our lesson! It's a shame that we can't always feel safe and secure, especially at what would seem to be a threat-free gathering like a kid's sporting event.
Fact is, the world is not always a nice place.
Take a few precautions to guard against having your outing go awry.
"Game on" everyone!
