How do you keep your kids safe in the parks?

[MSSANDRA]

We bought a prepaid cell phone, just a basic one, and attached it to a lanyard around DD neck. She was 6 at the time and we just programmed our #s into the phone so if for any reason she got separated we could find her. We also downloaded a special ringtone, a really loud and obnoxious one, so if we couldn't see her at any point in time we could call the number and hear the tone. It worked exactly as it should!

I like this!!!

Someone mentioned labels inside of clothes. I have been told that CM's can not look inside clothes so you might want to make the ID a little more prominent.

 

[lolobug]

I like this!!! Someone mentioned labels inside of clothes. I have been told that CM's can not look inside clothes so you might want to make the ID a little more prominent.

Good to know! My 2 year old will be the real challenge! She is the one that would wander and she can't take directions as well as her 5 year old sister. My 5 year old knows my phone number and could operate a basic track phone. She would understand who a CM was and what she needed to do. The 2 year old is my nightmare. I'm going to sharpie every square inch of her!

 

[teambeaman]

I got it at roadid.com. It's the one that bel rod to your shoe and has a reflective strip down the middle.

 

[teambeaman]

Oops *velcros to your shoe, is what I meant to write

 

[lolobug]

I got it at roadid.com. It's the one that bel rod to your shoe and has a reflective strip down the middle.

Thank you! Looking into it

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Yep, on the underside in the band. When you customize the colors there's also the option to add a name. I don't think it was meant for helping lost children, I think it was probably to help figure out which band was which if 2 people in the same party had the same color band.

We were going to personalize DS2's magic band with DH's cell number (I'm terrible at answering my phone and DH is more level headed in an emergency…) Unfortunately, MB was one space short of a full 10 digit phone number…Disney didn't think that one through… (I hope they read this thread!!! )
We plan on taking a sharpie to it to number it and probably back that up with a dog tag...

 

[teambeaman]

My 2 yo wouldn't keep the MB on. We practiced at home, but once we were there he kept taking it off so we left it off. That's why I liked the shoe ID. Looking around while we were there, we saw lots of other kids with I'd tags on their shoe too, so I'm guessing that CM's are likely to look for them.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

We always held their hand or wrist. We also told them never to wander off, just tell us what they were interested in seeing and we would take them to see it.

But what if the kid was language delayed

 

[lolobug]

My 2 yo wouldn't keep the MB on. We practiced at home, but once we were there he kept taking it off so we left it off. That's why I liked the shoe ID. Looking around while we were there, we saw lots of other kids with I'd tags on their shoe too, so I'm guessing that CM's are likely to look for them.

I worry about a wrist band with my two year old. I'm going to use a shoe tag on her. I just wish I could microchip her like my pets! Lol (I'm joking!)

 

[teambeaman]

I worry about a wrist band with my two year old. I'm going to use a shoe tag on her. I just wish I could microchip her like my pets! Lol (I'm joking!)

Lol, hubby and I have that conversation all the time. That sure would take away some of the worrying!

 

[My2Qtz0205]

We made bracelets as one of our pre-trip activities. For my son, I used beads with numbers. For my daughter, I found a heart-shaped dog ID and used it as a charm on her beaded bracelet. I put her first name and my cell phone number. Both of my kids wear those when we are in a crowded park (BG or WDW). My son, in particular, has anxiety and is terrified of getting lost.

 

[katy32]

just bought the roadid! thanks for the suggestion

 

[SEA333]

We started our safety process/policy when they could walk - setting the ground rules of staying with us and not wandering off and DEFINITELY not running away. We practiced every time we were in a store or public place and there was always a consequence if they tried to run from me. I did this with my oldest because I didn't want to look like a fool running after a toddler yelling his name and begging him to come back to me while he ran down an aisle giggling thinking it was a game. When the other two were born, they were only 19 months apart, so it was even more important - a 5 year old, 19 month old, and a newborn, plus I always had my toddler/preschool daycare kids with me as well. No room for running/wandering away nonsense in our excursions!

Fast forward 5-7 years and I didn't even think about losing my kids at Disney. No need for leashes, dog tags, bracelets, hand-holding, etc because we did all the practicing they needed from the time they took their first steps. Made it much easier on Mommy, and kept them safe!

Our family rule for *if* we get separated is, now that they are 13, 9, and 8 and are allowed to be anywhere in the same general area as DH or I - basically, if they can see us, they can go that far (it is their responsibility to make sure they can see us at all times), they are to go back to the place where they last saw me, because that is the first place I will go to look for them, and the place I will keep going back to to check to see if they got there. The child is to stay in one place (the last place they remember seeing me or DH or big brother) and the adults/teen will do the searching.

Boy! Thinking back to those toddler days....I am glad I was a "mean" mom!!!!

 

[teambeaman]

just bought the roadid! thanks for the suggestion

Welcome! Hope you like it (and that it is never actually needed)!

 

[katy32]

Welcome! Hope you like it (and that it is never actually needed)!

My son is 6 and will be 7 and knows our phone numbers etc and doesn't wander away, but I still worry that if we did get separated he would panic and not be able to remember our numbers. I think it's a better safe than sorry type thing.

 

[lolobug]

My son is 6 and will be 7 and knows our phone numbers etc and doesn't wander away, but I still worry that if we did get separated he would panic and not be able to remember our numbers. I think it's a better safe than sorry type thing.

Exactly! My girls know not to wander away (the 4 year old, at least!) but it's easy to lose track of each other with all the excitement and people. I just cringe to think of the "what if" scenarios. So, for that reason I will tag every square inch with ID bracelets, sharpie marks and ID tattoos. I'll purchase a track phone, backpack leash unit and a pager JUST to make sure my kids are safe. If you see us in the parks make sure you say hello, you won't be able to miss us! Hehe

 

[smiths02]

When we went with a 2 year old he was always in a stroller, being carried or holding a hand.
I worried more when he was 5.
We did the dog tag thing. We also went over who is a CM. I have also told him that a woman with kids is the next best person to approach if he can't find a person with a tag.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Always keep in physical contact with them. Hold hands. Carry them. Something.

 

[teambeaman]

I have also told him that a woman with kids is the next best person to approach if he can't find a person with a tag.[/QUOTE]

Brilliant! I never thought of that before, but I will definitely tell my son that when he gets older! Thanks!

 

[micheand]

Awesome idea! How much do those cost?

We got it on clearance for about $10. Not sure how much one is regular price. There are so many different types. We just went with the most basic flip phone.