Is It Safe to Travel?

Is It Safe to Travel?

            With all it’s going on in Boston Massachusetts right now you may be rethinking travel plans. Once again I’m going to state I believe that we should not give in to the terrorists! As long as we pay attention to what is going on around us we can be as safe as possible matter where we are.

            Let me say again what I’ve said before. A terrorist goal was to cause terror so don’t let them win! Go about your life as you normally would. Go to the market, go to school, go to work and go have fun!

In the coming days security at Disney Parks will most likely be more stringent. Thank God it should be! So what should you do to alleviate concerns and feel safer going to a place like a Disney Park? Here are my suggestions:

·        Cooperate with security restrictions

Don’t attempt to bring in items you know are restricted

·        Be aware of what is going on around you

Report if somebody is acting suspicious

Report bags that are left unattended

Report anything that seems out of place

·        Follow instructions if something happens

·        Do not panic

Don’t use the horrible bombings and events that followed in Boston stop you from living and loving life. Do not allow this to spur hatred in your heart. Be angry at the people that did the damage but do not use it as an excuse to harbor hatred towards any specific group of people.

In my humble opinion the trip to Disney or any of your favorite fun places is the best response to the situation. Disney can remind us to laugh and in doing so we can heal. As you walk through a Disney Park many of the rides and shows come from other cultures and lands. When you stopped to watch them they can remind you that each culture has a rich history with good things to learn from it. No matter where you look in a Disney Park you will see people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds laughing and enjoying things together. What better way to remind yourself and more importantly your children that love and laughter is the answer not hatred.

If we respond with love and laughter the terrorists lose! What if instead of causing terror and suspicion they brought us together! Instead of showing our weakness we show our strength. Those that did this, whether done for religious, political or personal reasons are warped and damaged people. No matter what their faith, politics or reason if we stand together we will do nothing but frustrate them and show them they cannot win.

Aurora, Colorado Theater Shooting

Aurora, Colorado Theater Shooting

Safety in Public Places

 With the unexpected violence at a movie theater, a place of magic and escape safety comes to mind. First off I must send out my condolences to the families/friends of those that died and prayers for healing to those that were injured. May the Lord grant swift healing and peace.

Do not let fear keep you from doing things you wish. What happened yesterday was not the act of a terrorist. It was the act of a mad man. Still it is normal to feel terror at some level because of what happened.

So how safe is a Disney Park? I will say over all a Disney Park is one of the safer places to be. With security at every entrance to the park it is unlikely that an act of violence on the level of the theater shooting will happen there. Could it happen? It is possible. Is it likely to happen? I don’t believe so. Besides the security at the gates uniformed security with dogs trained to sniff out weapons, explosives and drugs go through the parks looking for dangerous items. Add to the visible level of security undercover security that blends in with the crowds and it is unlikely an act of such heinous proportions could happen in one of the parks.

Let me stop here for a moment and let you know how I know this. Both my husband and I have had training in safety. Our training included general office safety with its making sure the power cords are not a trip hazard to setting up for natural disasters such as earthquakes. There was also some terror and biochemical preparedness and response training. My husband has had many more hours than I have but what he learns I learn by him talking to me about it.

If you are concerned about safety when in public, especially a busy place such as a Disney Park here are some basic things you can do:

1.     Be aware of what is going on around you.

a.    Know where escape exits/routes are.

b.    Be aware of who is around you and keep an eye open for those that do not “fit” or seem to be acting “strange”.

c.    Know where your group members are. Set up an “emergency” meeting spot. This is a spot you can all go back to reconnect if you get separated for any reason. Tell the younger members it is a place to meet if you get lost.

d.    Trust yourself if you feel someone/thing is not right. Predigest is not a bad word! It means to pre judge a situation. It means using wisdom when going into a situation. You pre judge a ride by looking at it. Will that ride be too much for you physically? Will you like it? It is not wrong to use the same practice when in large groups of people.

e.    Know how to identify people that can help. Show your children how to identify security and/or any employee.

2.    Do not put yourself in harm’s way to “save” others. Once you are hurt you can no longer help. Protect yourself so you can help others when it is safe to do so. YOU are the most important person in the situation. If you are hurt someone has to save you as well as the person you tried to help adding to the problem not helping. Avoid the temptation to take pictures until it is safe to do so.

3.    If something happens move quickly to a place of safety. In most cases getting low and out of site is the best thing you can do. Do nothing to attraction to yourself if someone is attacking! Play dead if you must. Call attention to yourself when it is safe.

4.    Be ready to listen to directions of trained security and employees.

5.    Report anyone/thing that seems out of place.

6.    Get basic first aid training. It is always good to be prepared to help when it is safe. More lives are saved by bystanders than by the emergency personal that get there. People need to be kept alive until emergency personal can get to you.

This is good information to know when in any public place but once again I say do not let fear keep you from going about your normal life. Do not let fear stop you from enjoying life to the fullest. My husband and I knew this information before the horror 9/11/01. It did not stop us from going before 9/11. 9/11 did not stop us from going either. We were at the park 9/10/01 and again 9/13/01. The terrorists will not win. Be ready if the unthinkable happens but do not be looking for bad guys in every shadow.

Cutting Down Worries When Taking Little Kids Or Kids with Disabilities to Disney Parks

Cutting Down Worries When Taking Little Kids

Or Kids with Disabilities to Disney Parks

So you are planning a trip with your little cherub to your favorite Disney Park. It does not matter if you are going for one day or an extended trip you have lots to think about.

You have packed the bag(s). You know you will need to take snacks, change of clothes, diapers if needed and maybe a toy or two. Stroller or carrier is a good thing to take as well. It is actually not too hard and can be lots of fun taking a young child to the parks.

Let’s say your child is old enough to run around and is a Houdini, I know mine was. LOL How do you keep them safe? Number one don’t totally freak out about taking a child to Disney. Keep a good eye on them. If your child is old enough to understand tell them what to do if they get separated from you. This is what they should know.

1.    Only ask a Cast Member for help. (Show them what a CM ID badge looks like as you walk in.)

2.   Don’t go anywhere with anybody that is not a Cast Member!

3.   Show them where the ‘Lost Parent’ station is so if they lose you and a CM takes them there they are not scared. Tell them that is where you will go right away if you can’t find them. Also tell them that is the ONLY place a CM is to take them. Tell them to SCREAM if a CM takes them anywhere else away from crowds. (NO, I do not believe a CM would hurt a child BUT I do understand that it could happen.)

4.   Teach them their full name, address and home phone number.

5.   Teach them YOUR full name and cell phone number. Remember they call you Mommy and Daddy not John and Sally!

6.   If they can’t remember their name and phone number put it on them!

I used a “love line” to keep our daughter near when she was a wondering tot. Yes, I called it a LOVE LINE but it was a child’s leash. I told her it was a visible line of love keeping her tied to me because I always wanted her near me and did not want to lose her in the crowds. Telling her that helped her relax and go along with it.

Another idea I used was little barrel dog tags that came with a little paper to write name and phone number on. Yes, they were made for dogs but they could be threaded onto the laces of a child’s shoe. The bright color makes them easy for a cast member of the park to see and get your information so they can contact you if they find your child.

Here is another idea I had. I wish I had the technology to have done this when my child was young. Make an iron on patch (or ask someone who can) with your child’s favorite Disney Character on it with their name and your phone number! Iron it on a cheap t-shirt or other piece of clothing they can wear at the park. I made this one as a sample.

Safety at Disney Parks

Safety at Disney Parks

                Safety is most likely one of the last things you don't think much about at a Disney Park. That is for good reasons as Disney Parks are overall very safe. Still there are some things to think about and do when you are on vacation.

                In general the worst thing you have to worry about at a Disney Park is someone stealing your wallet. In general security is well aware of what is going on and stops other issues quickly.

                There are a few people that go to the park with plans not to enjoy but to steal. One of the things to watch out for is where you keep your wallet. Make sure it is secure. If you keep it in your backpack or bag make sure it is in an inside pocket. If you keep it in your pocket I suggest a pocket with a button so someone can't pick your pocket. A good location is the inside pocket of a jacket.

                Be aware that people get grumpy in crowds. Some people actually become scared and respond in ways they would not usually when placed in large crowds. When the crowds increase so do peoples temper. Be ready to be a calming effect rather than a match to light the flame.

                Here is a wild example of things getting out of control at Disneyland and how my husband handled it. One Christmas we were waiting for the fireworks. We had picked our spot around 4 pm so we could have our favorite spot. While we were sitting we joked around with the Cast Members working the area. Around 7:30 pm a family came into our area and started maneuvering closer and closer. By 7:45 the family was trying to push their way onto our bench. We saw it coming before it happened so we made sure some of our items were right where they wanted to sit. We were saving the open space for friends, shortly after they asked if they could sit in the open spot. We politely informed them we were saving the spot for friends who would be coming shortly.

                They kept looking over their shoulder at the spot and pushing even closer to us limiting our movement and making us uncomfortable. They also pushed one of our bags around on the ground. My husband moved into the bench area nearest them. He sat in a way they could not sit but he was not touching any of them. The husband turned around and started yelling, "You touched my wife!! I'm going to have you thrown out of the park!" My husband made sure his arms were on the back of the bench and his hands in full view and open. He informed the man calmly he had not touched his wife. He kept his voice low and calm. About this time our friends came up and joined us. We readjusted to fill the bench and take our space. The man kept yelling telling my husband to stop touching his wife's butt. My husband's hands were still on the back of the bench so I know for sure nothing had happened and the man was lying. I told the man I knew my husband had not touched his wife. I spoke calmly, firmly but not quite as softly as my husband. The man started yelling even louder.      At this point I started to look around for a Cast Member.  His wife said nothing either way.

                I did not want to be part of any fight. I did not want to ruin the day of this rude person's child, who was watching the entire thing. As I turned around and caught the eye of a Cast Member standing 15 feet away from us she knowingly nodded her head and put her finger to her lips. About that time several male Cast Members came into the area and headed straight toward us. The female Cast Member that nodded at me followed them. As they walked up the man started yelling, "I want that man kicked out of the park. He grabbed my wife's butt!" The wife said nothing. The female Cast Member calmly stepped to the front with security and male Cast members at her side. "Sir, I've been here since 4:30 setting up this area. This couple was here when I arrived and has been nothing but polite to other guests. I've been watching you since you stepped into this family's space and you have a choice to make. Go find another area to view the fireworks from or you will be escorted out of the park."

                The reason I told that story is I want you to know Disney Security is watching. They will be there to help if you need. If my husband had raised his voice or moved his hands he might have escalated the situation. Keep calm and do not make things worse. Don't be afraid of getting help. In the hundreds of times I've gone to the park this is the worst event I've witnessed.

                If you are going to the park with children there are a few safety things to consider. I believe Disney Parks are safe enough to let a responsible child or teen to go off in pairs for several hours. It is a good place for them to learn independence and feel some freedom. Just have check in times and places. If they have a cell phone it is perfectly safe.

                If you have a younger child I have a few safety tips. For little ones I suggest putting a tag on the back of their clothing that has their name, your name and a cell number they can call you at. We found this cute little red and yellow barrels that were made for temporary dog tags. You could slip a little slip of paper in it with your contact information. We put these on our daughter's shoes. She liked the little bells on them and how them wiggled on her shoes. Thankfully she never got lost and we never had to rely on them.

                Teach your child it is ok to say, "Hi" to people if they say hello but they don't have to carry on a conversation. Let your child know to trust their feelings about people. When our daughter was 5 years old daddy took her to the restroom. We believe that a child of that age should not go into the restroom of the opposite sex. He let her go into the ladies room while he went into the men's room. We had a standard practice of doing this and she would meet us right outside the restroom. I was across Main Street at our locker getting our things so we could go home. Hannah knew I was there. As she was waiting for daddy a man she did not know walked up to her. He said, "Hi. Are you alone?" Hannah quickly replied, "No, I'm waiting for my daddy." The man continued to try to talk to Hannah. "Do you want me to wait with you?" Hannah told us she stepped away from him because she made him uncomfortable. "No thank you, I know where my mom is." At that she ran across the street to me at the locker.

                Hannah knew it was ok to say Hi and it was also ok to break off the conversation politely. She knew enough to let the man know there was an adult that knew exactly where she was. She told us she would have yelled if he had stepped closer to her when she stepped away from him. She knew where I was and when she felt uncomfortable waiting near that man she came to me. This empowered her to speak up and gave us faith she knew how to handle herself away from us.

                Until a child is an older teenager that has show themselves responsible I would not allow them to be alone in Downtown Disney or the hotels. These places are less controlled as to who is there. It is too easy for an unescorted minor to leave. The most important thing is to know your child. Are they trustworthy? Do they know how to call for help if needed? Can they reach you if they need you? Will they live up to your expatiations or will they get themselves in trouble? If you think they will behave then by all means let them have the freedom.