Vanderburgh Prosecutor Offers Tips for Keeping Kids Safe at Fall Festival [VIDEO]

The West Side Nut Club Fall Festival kicks off on Monday, and while the Nut Club will work closely with local law enforcement to make sure everyone stays safe while enjoying the week's festivities, things happen. To help prepare for any number of possibilities, the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor's Office has offered a few tips on how to keep you and your children enjoy the week to the fullest extent.

With the weather expected to be nearly perfect for Fall Festival week, there's no doubt things will get crowded up and down Franklin Street as thousands upon thousands of visitors head down to take part in the festivities. As a parent, this means having to keep one eye on your child, and one eye on everyone else.

All the sights, sounds, and smells associated with the Fall Festival can pique a child's curiosity at any given time. And what usually happens when a child's curiosity is piqued? They take off to find the the thing that has captured their attention, often without warning, leaving a parent who swore their child was standing right next to them while they waited in line for that Walking Taco in a panicked scramble to find them.

Hopefully this won't happen to you over the course of the Festival, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared in the event it does using the tips provided by the Prosecutor's office.

1. Talk to them about what to do if you get separated.
2. Instruct them to find a police officer, Sheriff's deputy, or other adult (such as a Nut Club member) to help.
3. Write down your contact number and put it in your child's pocket.
4. Take a picture of your child in the clothing they're wearing when you arrive at the Festival.

Nothing is scarier as a parent then the moment you realize your child isn't standing right next to you. Taking a few moments before you face the Festival crowd to go over these tips with your kids will help you deal with the situation calmly in the event it happens to you.

[Source: Vanderburgh County Prosecutor's Office via Facebook]