Security Measures should we get separated

[Trishtack]

Hi - We are going to Disney Sept. 26 - Oct. 2. with our 3 yr old that will then be 4. We are being joined by our friends that will have a 2 and 4 yr old. Can anyone help with security ideas? I want to make sure we take precautions for our should we Heaven Forbid lose a child or get separated for at even a second.

Any suggestions for identifiers etc.?

Thanks!

 

[MinnieForMe]

I don't know the company but you can get tattoes with your cell phone number to apply to the kids in a nonviewable area or even plastic bracelets with the number.

Here's one idea:
http://www.childwristband.com/

 

[simonsmom]

I write my cell number with sharpie on their tummy near waistband. Then tall kids if they get lost they can show a CM. It lasts the whole week-through showers,swimming,etc,costs nothing,and doesn't show unless needed. We almost needed it once!(but found her pretty quick). Biggest piece of advice -tell your kids if they don't see you they should stay where they are!!! no walking!

 

[clc053103]

I put labels in DS's underwear and clothes. Nothing visible from the outside.

 

[BrookieB]

The tattoos are an awesome idea! I've never heard of doing that before.

We just got back from WDW and I didn't plan well enough ahead to order something custom. I got lucky on our first day at Disney though. We were at Epcot and right outside of the "Turtle Talk with Crush" show they have a machine that makes ID tags for kids. I think I spent about $12 each on them and they had the kids names and our cell numbers engraved on them. They came with a chain to put around their neck so my kids wore them the whole time we were there. They are really cute and they make a great souvenir.

Just my 2 cents. My kids are 4 & 6 so the necklace worked well. If I went with a 2 year old I'd probably want something more permanent.

The thought of loosing a child became very real to me when I saw two parents frantically running around looking for their 2 boys at Hollywood Studios. You could definitely see the fear in their eyes.

 

[swtp143]

We are going in 2 weeks with our 3 and 5 year old boys. I got name tag labels at Walmart to put on the inside of their shirts. I wrote their name, my husband's cell phone # and my cell phone # and the Resort we are staying in. Hopefully we won't need to use this but just in case. I also plan to take a picture of them each day so I have a current picture of what they are wearing on hand if needed.

 

[daleswife]

I made the dog tags at Walmart out of those machines. It cost $5 for each of them and it has My name on it along with my cell number and DH cell number on it. We tied them to their tennis shoes. My kids never wore anything but tennis shoes so I dont know what I would do if they wanted to wear sandles......

 

[Freddy Bear]

We are going in 2 weeks with our 3 and 5 year old boys. I got name tag labels at Walmart to put on the inside of their shirts. I wrote their name, my husband's cell phone # and my cell phone # and the Resort we are staying in. Hopefully we won't need to use this but just in case. I also plan to take a picture of them each day so I have a current picture of what they are wearing on hand if needed.

Please do not put their name on their shirt (even on the inside) unless it is written small. If a predator would see it, he/she could use the knowledge of your sons' names to win their confidence ("Hey, Timmy. Your mom said you should wait over here.").

Here is what we do: We print off index card sized sheets that simply say "If Lost" in big letters on one side. On the other side, we type again in big (but a little smaller letters) "If Lost:" followed below in small letters (unable to read unless you have it pulled up to your face) by our names, cell phone numbers and resort (not room number!!!!!!!!!). We then laminate the card, poke two holes in it, thread a shoestring through it and place it around our children's necks. Our youngest child is too young to know to show someone a cell phone number on their wrist, belly, etc. The only way she will wear the card is if her brother and sister wear the cards. We also put some Mickey Mouse stickers on the card before laminating it to make the card officially Mickey Cool.

Example:

IF LOST

Parents: John and Pocahontas Smith
John's cell phone: 555-1607
Pocahontas' cell phone: 555-1608
Resort: Animal Kingdom Lodge

Remember, print everything from "Parents" to "Lodge" in letters so small no one can read them unless they have the card close to their face.

We also teach our children (1) to stay where there are if they are not able to find us, (2) how to identify a cast member and (3) tell a cast member you are lost if you see a cast member close.

I suggest reading the Unoffiocial Guide section on children. The Unofficial Guide gives you some warnings about situations and places in the park where you have the greatest risk of losing your child.

Finally, we use a leash on all of our children four years old or younger. Many people do not like the idea of a leash, but it kept our children from getting lost in a crowd of people.

As you can see, we are a little paranoid.

 

[crisi]

We used the Sharpie and write on their arms - just the cell phone number - a cell number is pretty recognizable as "call this" and no one needs anymore to reunite you with your kids.

Also, we used to pull aside the first CM we'd see each day with a little time (often the maid working the hall, sometimes the first photopass guy in the park). We'd show the kids the white CM badge and tell them that these were "Mickey's Friends" and if Mom and Dad get lost "Mickey's Friends" know how to find us.

 

[Aliceacc]

I put our cell phone numbers on an index card in each child's fanny pack. (We never really use our cell phones, so the kids don't know the numbers.) I agree that we don't want anything visible that includes the child's first or last name.

 

[Kimmumum]

We did something everyday that worked for us but a lot of people don't like it.....when the boys were little we wore the same outfits (all of us). When they got older we wore the same color but not necessarily the same shirts. The purpose behind this is in the time that they get lost, panic and forget everything they know, if someone asked them what their mommy looked like they could say "she is wearing this" and point to the shirt. There are so many people in Disney that wearing the same shirt has helped even when we were close to each other.

My sons were taught our cell number also. (at the age of 4)

 

[aprilmommy0205]

Last year I purchased the Who's Shoe ID tags http://www.whosshoesid.com/ . I also purchased those silicone bracelets and had them imprinted with mine and my husband's cell numbers.

 

[poohnpigletCA]

I spent a lot of time researching this before our last trip. I read to not write anything on the inside of your childs clothing. It was said that CM's can not look on the inside of clothing or in pockets for cards.

There are many different id items that can be purchased. I wanted something that was readily identifiable and did not look like jewelry. I also have children that are very sensitive to the way items fit (scratchy, tight, loose, etc.)

After much research I found these on ebay...

My oldest has it on her wrist the youngest wore it around her ankle. It has
"ID inside" printed all around the outside. On the inside was a slip of paper with our cell phone numbers.

It is completely waterproof which was a big concern for me with all of the water rides and splash fountains. It came in many different colors so it would work for boys or girls.

 

[omegsmom]

I picked up lime green tyvek bracelets - like you might get at Joker's or carnvials... I will write our cell # on them. No names, no other info... I didn't want anything for their shoes since we'd be changing them... and didn't want anything they could remove, just in case... I would write right on their arm, but in a visible spot since I can't count on them showing the person helping them. I'm hoping a lime green tyvek bracelet will stand out enough - more than a real piece of jewelry would. Mine are 3 and 4... just not sure how helpful they'd be if they were lost. : ) I do like the idea of bringing them up to talk to a CM and show them the name tag, etc...

 

[ktlm]

I got silicone bracelets at reminderband.com. I got one that had Dad and his cell number engraved and one that had Mom and my cell number engraved (in case one of us forgot to charge our phone we could switch out the bracelet). I think they were about $5 each.

 

[WDWorBUST]

We also did the bracelets with my cell number. DD also memorized my cell number (she was 4) - the bracelets were a backup in case she was too upset to remember. Now she's 5 1/2 and knows are home # (which of course wouldn't help any) and Poppy's cell too which would since even if she got Poppy in Oklahoma he could talk to the CM and give them my number or call me. Oh and we also taught her to go to a CM should she be separated.....

Fortunately we have never had to test it but the peace of mind was well worth it.

 

[Trishtack]

Thanks so much to everyone! These are great ideas. Since there seems to be so many share groups or swap groups, I wonder how popular a Brickhouse Child Locator swap would be....

 

[Mommy2Abby]

Just curious...how old were your children when you started having them carry some sort of contact information like this?

We are going in September and DD will only be 2.5...not really old enough to know how to find a CM or even tell anyone she is lost...but definitely old enough to wander away

Luckily, she's a good stroller rider (at least at the moment) and I'm hoping she'll be content to ride around where I know she is safe.

Does anyone know if the tatoos last even with baths/swimming/sunscreen? I don't really want to use anything around her neck or wrists. She'll just fiddle with it until she pulls it off. She'll be in sandals most days, so I don't know how I would attach anything to her shoes.

DH thinks I'm being paranoid, since DD tends to be pretty clingy, especially in unfamiliar places, but we will also be traveling with an infant and I can see one or both of us getting distracted just long enough for DD to disappear.

Thanks!

Mommy2Abby

 

[Michele926]

We went last year, my son was 22 months old and not able to tell someone he was lost...all the more reason.

I got one of those Velcro Braclets (came in blue & pink) it said ID INSIDE. He wore it on his wrist so it would be very visable. Inside is a plastic/paper like slip where you put your contact info - I provided our cell #s, our last name, hotel we were staying at, and a family member (my mom) who was home, should god forbid something happen to me and my husband.

I know a bit over-kill, but I am a worry wort.

Anyway we worked up the braclet to him, saying wow you look so cool, and every morning he asked for his "bacewit".

I was great!

 

[LoriNSC]

I got the silicone bracelets from sayitbands.com. They have toddler & child sizes. It fit both mine & DH's cell #'s on one bracelet. They can be worn on the wrist or ankle (I prefer-DD3 likes to take hers off her wrist to play with it.) They have cool colors & the kids like wearing them.