[sugarbabysmommy]

Saw this tip on a toddler travel tip list, wanted to share. Use pet tags to help identify your child if they become lost, go to your local pet store and order a pet tag (like a heart) with your kid's name, parents' names and numbers and attach it to a belt loop or shoe lace.

I've got to come up with some good way to attach this, something that can be moved from clothing to clothing that is hard for my kid to remove... any thoughts?

Ooo, I know what about a key ring, or a screw closure carabiner?


Anyone have any other ID safety tips for your kids while traveling? Any other tips?

[ajjhmf]

I've heard of the pet tag idea before. Cool idea. I would think a key ring would be work well.

Something I've always done is dress my kids in very bright clothing when we are out and about. It makes them easier to spot if they get away. And now that I have more than one, I put them in the same color. That way it is easier to remember what they are wearing and spot them if they are together. My parents did this with my brother and me on vacation. I have countless pictures of us in front of different vacationy-type things, wearing the same color shirt and shorts. LOL

Also, another good thing is to take a picture of you kids, seperately, each morning of your trip in the clothes they are wearing for the day. This way if, God forbid, something happens, you have a VERY current picture of them. Plus, if you have a digital camera, you have it with you ready to show people.

Blessings,
Jenny

[MkMw]

well, with the boys being twins when we go someplace likely to be crowded, and/or where they might run - I dress them alike. They are fraternal, but look enough alike that people who don't know them thing they are are identical, this way if they get lost I can say "He looks just like this".

When we went to Grand Illumination in Colonial Williamsburg when they were 2 1/2- think wall to wall people, we used harnesses. It was cold so I didn't want to restrict them to a stroller, I wanted them to be able to move. We got ZERO negative comments, and several positive ones. I brought them with me when we travelled, but never had to use them they stayed right with us in the airports.

I like the dog tag idea, and the digital picture.

Basic safety I tell them- if they get lost to find a police man, a store clerk, or kids - so they can ask the kids' Mommy for help.

We are starting on the "stranger danger" stuff but being gentle about it - I don't want to scare them to death, but want them to be aware. It's a fine line.

[redhedded]

sugar, If other than everyday use, like for vacation, you could bring gift ribbon and tie it on then cut it off each night with fingernail clippers.

Basic safety here too: When they are able, I think telling/teaching young child his/your pertinent information is important, so that he can give his name, your names, cell phone numbers (immediately beneficial), give home address/phone number, extended family names, addresses/phone numbers, describe you in appearance.

Ironically, my dd, who could do this before the age of two has never walked more than 10 feet away from me. My son, on the other hand, is 15 months, not walking yet, but by the looks of it might be using the harness.

Being able to use a cell phone and an old fashioned touch tone phone is beneficial. I think it is okay to let them know that they can ask a passerby if they could borrow a cellphone.

[sugarbabysmommy]

Great ideas, thanks. Any other travel ideas folks want to share?

[AdrienneG]

Teach them that if they get lost, go to a woman for help or to a police man. Also teach them that strangers can appear to be nice people, but just because a person is nice doesn't mean you should walk off with them.

[sugarbabysmommy]

Just found this online, such a good idea...

Who's Shoes ID:

[redhedded]

Sugar, it is funny that you should post the photo of the shoe label. I was just thinking of a medic alert bracelet. Has anyone else gotten one for their child who has minor health issue, food or drug allergies?

When B goes to daycare or school, I want an immediate alert for those who spend time with him that he has tachycardia (though we have not seen it since birth; he is still on medication), so in the event of an episode/issue, there would be no delay in anyone diagnosing or understanding what could be the problem.

That label is a great idea.

[coopspa]

This is a tich off topic, but along the same lines...

After Hurricane Katrina I saw all those children who had been seperated from their parents just sitting in shelters waiting and it just broke my heart. I started wondering what would my kids do if we were seperated and couldn't get a hold of me? We live in So. Cal, so the danger is there, just in earthquake form. We sat our kids down and taught them the names and cities of thier grandparents. That way if we ever get sperated they can say, "My name is John Smith. My grandparents are John and Sue Jones and they live in Chicago." We have faith that the workers can take it from there. (Side note: teach your kids YOUR full name along with theirs. It is scary how many kids think that their parents name is actually Mommy. Not much help for the police.)

My parents are aware of this and they know they will be responsible for getting and taking care of my kids until we can be reunited. Hopefully, this will NEVER happen (knock on wood), but if it does my kids won't be sitting in a shelter waiting for someone to identify them.

(Side note: teach your kids YOUR full name along with theirs. It is scary how many kids think that their parents name is actually Mommy. Not much help for the police.)

[sugarbabysmommy]

Originally Posted by coopspa

(Side note: teach your kids YOUR full name along with theirs. It is scary how many kids think that their parents name is actually Mommy. Not much help for the police.)

Your post is not off topic at all. Even as old as 11 (!) I've taught kids who didn't know their parents' full names.


Red, I googled childrens id tags and found many web sites with medical alert style bracelets, though it wasn't clear that they could be used with the medic alert system that (for a fee) keeps your medical info on file in case of an emergency in addition to the info on the bracelet. If you google medic alert bracelet you will find the actual medic alert site and they have some great colorful bracelets for kids, not just the stainless utilitarian bracelet.