Amber Watch

[Dizneydaz]

I just saw a segment on the Amber Watch on The View. It's a watch your child wears and if they feel that they're in danger the can press a button that makes a VERY loud sound. Says it can be heard a football field away. Also if someone tries to remove it forceably it will also go off. It does not have GPS on it.

My question is this-have any of you bought one? What do you think? I think it might be a good idea for my DD6. They are $29.95 on their website and $39.95 at Target. Has anyone found one for less than $30. Let me know and

 

[alloyd1170]

I had posted something similar about the IonKids system. Its a lot more ($200+) but does more. It has a tamper proof watch, but also a parent unit that can track up to 4 kids. An alarm sounds on the watch and on the parents unit if a child goes beyond a set distance (up to 350 ft). It is not gps, which is a waste when it comes to buildins, etc. The parent unit shows a graphic of what direction to head to find the child.

Someone posted a good reply-the alarm may not be loud enough to hear in a sea of people, which would defeat the purpose of the system.

alison

 

[NotUrsula]

I wouldn't have used such a thing for DS when he was 6; I know for sure that he would have been setting off the alarm several times a day just for fun. Kids that age *love* to set off alarms of all kinds. Besides, that watch has so many buttons that it is a sure bet that kids will press the wrong ones on a fairly frequent basis.

For a middle schooler who walks home from school? Probably not a bad idea.
A 6 yo? Too young, IMO.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Anyone else? Does anyone have one? I'm not worried my DD6 would set it off-she's a pretty smart girl and mostly does what she's told.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Someone posted a good reply-the alarm may not be loud enough to hear in a sea of people, which would defeat the purpose of the system.

alison

Even if the alarm wasn't loud enough for the parent to hear, it would draw the attention of the people close by. Most predators are going to walk away from a situation that's drawing attention. There are a lot of parents at WDW and chances are at least one of them would find a CM or start looking for you -- which would keep your child safe and end up with you being reunited.

On the other hand, if your child can remember to press the button they can probably remember to scream "help" or something similar which would have the same result.

 

[Schmeck]

If this watch was worn in a WDW attraction, and it went off somehow, is there an off switch too? I don't think I'd be too pleased to be stuck in the same Splash Mountain log with someone wearing a wailing siren on his/her arm...

 

[Dizneydaz]

for the feedback-sounds like it's something I should pass on for now. Besides, we never lost track of her yet. She's always with someone I know.

 

[makinorlando]

Even if the alarm wasn't loud enough for the parent to hear, it would draw the attention of the people close by. Most predators are going to walk away from a situation that's drawing attention. There are a lot of parents at WDW and chances are at least one of them would find a CM or start looking for you -- which would keep your child safe and end up with you being reunited.

On the other hand, if your child can remember to press the button they can probably remember to scream "help" or something similar which would have the same result.

I was thinking a whistle around the neck might be as effective!

My DD9 has a scream on her that will shatter glass, and I have told her if she ever feels threatened (she is rarely that far away, but will walk 4 houses down our street to play and has ridden bikes to and from school with other older kids) to let on rip!