Police Offer Safety Tips To Parents During Holiday Celebrations

While celebrating the Fourth of July weekend, many think parades, fairs and fireworks, but police are asking parents to pause this weekend and take an extra step to keep their kids safe in the patriotic bustle.

“Parents just need to educate their children before they go,” Megan Morgan from Oklahoma City police said on Friday. “There's going to be a lot of people out. Just come up with a meeting area for the parents to meet their children if they get separated. Just make sure they have some plan of action ahead of time.”

Other police departments are going for something a little more creative.

Blanchard police are telling parents on Facebook to use a pen and to write their phone number on their child's arm, and then cover it with a water proof sealer, like Liquid Band-Aid, in case their child gets lost.

They also suggest taking a picture of their child before they leave the house that day so police can have the most recent picture possible.

But there are things kids should know, too. Morgan said children shouldn’t look for mom or dad if they get lost, but they should find a police officer, and to never walk away with someone they don't know.

“Kids should also know if they do get separated from their parents … immediately try to find a police officer, (and) not to talk to strangers. Just the general safety tips they learn in school,” Morgan said.