Caution is necessary in crowded places such as summer festivals, fireworks displays, and travel destinations. Also, you might lose sight of your child in just a split second. As a measure against getting lost, let's review pre-outing preparations and how to handle the situation at the venue.

📷 Things to prepare before departure

Take a photo of today's outfit

Before departure, take a full-body photograph of your child.
In the event you get separated, this makes it easier to describe colors, patterns, shoes, and hats to venue staff or security guards.

🔸 Choose easy-to-spot clothing

Bright colors and distinctive clothing make it easier to spot someone even in a crowd.
However, avoid name tags where your child's name is visible from the outside.

Have parents' contact information carried with them

Put a card with the parent or guardian's name and phone number in your child's pocket or inside their clothing. Even if your child cannot speak well yet, their contact information can be checked if they are found.

Communicate what to do if separated

For children old enough to understand words, please tell them the following.
Even if separated, do not move far away.
Ask event staff, security guards, station attendants, or others for help.
🔸Don't follow strangers.
If known, provide the guardian's name and phone number.
Teaching young children to "return to the meeting place alone" may actually widen their range of movement. First, tell them to ask nearby staff for help.

🤝 Things to keep in mind at the venue

🔸Hold hands with children who can walk

In crowds, hold your child's hand while moving around. Even if you use an anti-losing harness or wristband, it does not mean you can take your eyes off them.
It is fundamental for parents or guardians to watch nearby.

Change the method of transportation according to congestion

It can be difficult to get around with a stroller in crowded places.
Switch to holding the child depending on the surrounding situation and the child's age.

When using a baby carrier, make sure it is fitted correctly and check that the face is not covered by fabric and that the baby is not having difficulty breathing.
On hot days, heat tends to build up easily, so keep a frequent check on perspiration, facial complexion, and the warmth of the neck and back.

🔸 Using a stroller safely

In the stroller, fasten the safety belt properly and do not leave while your child is in it.
Do not hang heavy loads on the handlebar, and do not use it on stairs or escalators.
In crowded areas, please consider alternative ways of moving around, such as carrying the child.
When using a rain cover, make sure to check that heat and moisture do not get trapped inside.

🔸 Check the child's position even when taking a photo

Taking photos at the festival is one of the fun memories.
When taking photos, make sure to check your child's position before and after the shoot.
If there are multiple guardians, it is reassuring for one to take photos while the other watches over the child.

☔ Things to watch out for on rainy days

At festivals on rainy days, it is necessary to be careful not only about lost children, but also about falls and collisions.
🔸Umbrellas make it difficult to see your surroundings and your feet
Raincoat hood narrows left and right visibility
Slipping easily on wet road surfaces or manhole covers
🔸You are more likely to fall due to the hem of the yukata or unfamiliar geta sandals.
🔸The umbrellas and luggage of people around may hit the child's face.
Even when putting raincoats on small children, make sure their hoods do not block their vision or hearing.
It is important to avoid the center of the crowds and move more slowly than usual.

🚨 If we get separated

If you cannot find your child, do not continue searching only with family members; promptly inform venue staff, security guards, the information desk, or a police officer. Please provide the following information:

Name and age
🔸Height and clothing
🔸Last seen location and time
Can you walk alone?
Full-body photo of the day

If there are multiple guardians, staying at the place where one of them was last seen can prevent missing each other.

🌻 For Safe Enjoyment

Even with preparation, unexpected things happen in crowds or bad weather.
When your child is tired or when crowds are heavy, it is also an important safety measure not to force the schedule to continue, but rather to move away from the crowds or return home early.

Please also refer to the following

☀️ Heatstroke prevention at summer festivals
Even at night, if the temperature and humidity are high, you can get heatstroke.
We will introduce clothing, hydration, how to take breaks, and guidelines for seeing a doctor.

🍧 At what age can children eat festival food?
Food poisoning isn't the only thing to watch out for at street food stalls.
Here is how to choose and serve foods to prevent burns, choking, and food allergies.

References

1. Angelo KM. Mass Gatherings. In: CDC Yellow Book 2026: Health Information for International Travel. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2025.
2．Weinberg M, Hickey PW. Traveling Safely with Infants and Children. In: CDC Yellow Book 2026: Health Information for International Travel. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
3. Fowler E, Kobe C, Roberts KJ, Collins CL, McKenzie LB. Injuries Associated With Strollers and Carriers Among Children in the United States, 1990 to 2010. Academic Pediatrics. 2016;16(8):726-733.
4．Tripathi M, Tyebally A, Feng JX, Chong SL. A Review of Stroller-Related and Pram-Related Injuries to Children in Singapore. Injury Prevention. 2017;23(5):336-340.
5. Powell EC, Jovtis E, Tanz RR. Incidence and Description of Stroller-Related Injuries to Children. Pediatrics. 2002;110(5):e62.
6. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Stroller Safety Alert.