Shenae Whitehead, a licensed psychologist and clinical director of Heart to Heart Counseling and Wellness Center, PLLC, has extensive experience supporting families, children, and adults through evidence-based mental health care. Her work includes psychological assessments, trauma-informed therapy, and risk evaluation for youth, as well as providing individual, couples, and family therapy using modalities such as EMDR, DBT, CPT, and TF-CBT. In addition to her clinical practice, Shenae Whitehead collaborates with local school systems and leads community programs focused on parenting, co-parenting, and domestic violence prevention. As founder and CEO of The Stacy Jones Foundation, Inc., she also supports foster children, low-income families, and young women pursuing education. Drawing on her background in mental health, safety, and trauma awareness, Shenae Whitehead offers practical guidance on how families can stay safe while exploring busy tourist destinations.
Keeping Your Family Safe in Tourist Areas
Family travel is an exciting way to bond. However, visiting crowded tourist areas comes with risks, such as unexpected emergencies, pickpocketing, and scams. If you’re exploring a busy market, sightseeing in a major city, or attending a festival, it is important to take a proactive approach to reduce risk and ensure that every member of your family is safe.
Before you arrive at your destination, you should research local risks and safety conditions. Check the area’s safety conditions, crowd patterns, and transportation routes. Some destinations publish guidance on peak times, potential hazards, and entry rules. Preparing in advance helps families move more confidently and reduces the likelihood of getting overwhelmed or lost. You should set up a family safety plan and discuss the course of action if someone gets separated or feels unsafe. There should also be a visible meeting point, like a statue.
Busy areas are more susceptible to crime, so you should teach your family members to stay alert. Instruct them to remain alert when someone bumps into them, stands too close, or causes a distraction. You should also keep phones stored away and ensure that bags are zipped and wallets are out of pockets. Make sure to hold hands or maintain physical contact with your children.
Older kids or teenagers should adopt a buddy system, a simple safety method where each person is paired with another person. For toddlers, using a child safety harness in extremely busy places, such as festivals or transit stations, can help prevent wandering. These simple habits help keep everyone together even in fast-moving crowds. Also, make sure you are on familiar, well-lit paths and avoid shortcuts, less-monitored areas, or alleys, especially at night.
You should also familiarize yourself with common tourist scams. Some of these scams may include unofficial taxis, street performers requiring payment for a photo, and “free bracelets.’ Make sure to use official modes of transportation only, avoiding unmarked taxis or drivers approaching you near attractions.
Identification and communication also play an important role. Young children who cannot memorize personal details should wear ID bracelets that list emergency contact information and any important medical needs. Teens can share their live location using family locator apps so parents can easily check in and stay connected.
Families should also prioritize digital and personal security when navigating crowded environments. Using shared location on mobile devices helps everyone stay in touch, and carrying a portable charger ensures phones remain usable throughout the day. It is also important to avoid posting real-time locations on social media; waiting until you leave an area reduces unnecessary risk. Staying mindful of surroundings and keeping phones and valuables secure makes families less vulnerable to theft or confusion.
Transportation hubs such as airports, train stations, and busy bus terminals require extra attention. Families should move together during boarding or exiting and assign adults to guide and supervise younger members from the front and back. Bags should remain zipped and close by to avoid theft during moments of distraction. Being prepared with a small first aid kit, knowing local emergency numbers, and identifying safe spaces within large venues can make travel smoother and safer. Above all, parents should trust their instincts and step away when a situation feels unsafe or overly chaotic, choosing calm areas or seeking help from nearby staff when needed.
About Shenae Whitehead
Shenae Whitehead is a licensed psychologist and clinical director of Heart to Heart Counseling and Wellness Center, PLLC. She provides comprehensive psychological services, including trauma-informed therapy and psychological assessments for children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Whitehead is also the founder and CEO of The Stacy Jones Foundation, Inc., which supports foster children, low-income families, and young women pursuing higher education. She remains active in community service and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.