Security precautions with little ones

[lilsprstr]

Okay I haven't been to Disneyland in many years so maybe I'm being over-cautious here. BUT we were planning to get some bracelets for our kids to wear at Disneyland just in case we somehow got seperated. I would put their names, our cell phone number, possibly our hotel and room # on it. The problem is the bracelets that I was thinking of (similar to what you would get at a water park) are available at a party store, but only in a package of 100 for like $10. I really don't have any want or need for 100 of these bracelets. Any other suggestions or am I totally being crazy? My kids are 2 and 4.

 

[tinkerbelt]

Write your info on a card or a piece of paper and put it in their pocket. Or safety pin it to the inside of their shirts.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I got a number of great tips off the Family section of the DIS. Here are a few I used:

1. Dress the kids in the same/similar colors.
2. Dress the kids in a bright colored shirt - Makes 'em easier to spot in a crowd.
3. Take their picture just before you head to the park. This would be useful if they get lost; you can take their picture to Lost & Found so they know what the child looks like and what s/he is wearing that day.
4. My DS2 is a little Houdini, so I got a little 'backpack' leash. He loved it, but we didn't practice with it at home first. He'd run the full length of the leash, then be straining against it trying to keep going. Next time, I'll practice walking around the neighborhood, zoo, etc. with it!
5. We thought about getting a pet tag engraved with our name and cell #, and tying one to each child's shoe. Then realized we could just stick an address label sticker with the same info inside their t-shirts. Easy, and the info is not 'on display' to anyone nearby.

 

[crasher11]

We got those little red heart pet tags engraved with the DS's names and our cell phone #s and will attach it to their shoe laces. We did the laminated paper pinned to the inside of their shirts last time and by the 3rd day they said they hurt from the rubbing. I hope this works out better cause I have 2 very adventures DS's, one of our major worries about DLR.

 

[crasher11]

I got a number of great tips off the Family section of the DIS. Here are a few I used:

1. Dress the kids in the same/similar colors.
2. Dress the kids in a bright colored shirt - Makes 'em easier to spot in a crowd.
3. Take their picture just before you head to the park. This would be useful if they get lost; you can take their picture to Lost & Found so they know what the child looks like and what s/he is wearing that day.
4. My DS2 is a little Houdini, so I got a little 'backpack' leash. He loved it, but we didn't practice with it at home first. He'd run the full length of the leash, then be straining against it trying to keep going. Next time, I'll practice walking around the neighborhood, zoo, etc. with it!
5. We thought about getting a pet tag engraved with our name and cell #, and tying one to each child's shoe. Then realized we could just stick an address label sticker with the same info inside their t-shirts. Easy, and the info is not 'on display' to anyone nearby.

WOW,
Thank you for posting that info, I would have never thought about the pictures before heading to the park and the address label attached to the inside to keep others from seeing it. Great Ideas !!!!!

 

[bclydia]

Some time ago I remember hearing about a temporary tattoo you could get to put on the child's shoulder or back with all your information on it. I'm sure you could google it.

 

[JennHales]

Thanks for posting.

I always take a picture of each of my kids that morning so if they do get lost or kidnapped and my mind is a blur I know exactly what they were wearing.

In my child's pocket I write a note with my name and both hubby's and I cell phone numbers.

I point out to my child what a Mouseketer looks like to show them who to ask if they need help.

And basically I tell them to stop drop and roll. Meaning they should just stay put. The more they wonder the more lost they will get.

I lost my 5 year old son in Williamsburg last year. The place was crowded. I got on top of a tree stump and screamed his name bloody murder. It got the attention of the undercover security guys. My son was found about 10 minutes later by my father. And he said that a scary looking man had him.

Please please please, be so careful. I was at williamsburg with a bunch of my family. Everyone thought the other had my son. Do not take comfort in numbers.

And happy vacationing.
Jen

 

[labagit]

You've gotten some fabulous information. I have to say, I love the pet ID tag idea. Year ago I purchased a bracelet like you were describing. DS wore it last week at DL and thankfully never needed to use it. I just googled it and found it at http://www.id-inside.com/ . My son is 7 but gets very excited and wanders. Even though he is able to communicate well, I worried about him remembering a phone number in a stressful situation. It was a great peace of mind to have this.

 

[Adi12982]

You should NOT put their name on it - it would allow a stranger to call them by name AND you should not put your room number at the hotel, just the hotel. . . the rest sounds great!!! You may want to look on the community board here or by doing a simple google search for tips.

 

[abby]

We use a stoller, that way as we walk through crowds I know where the kid is. Ok now she is about to be 7 and that may not work, but it worked when she was smaller.

 

[lilsprstr]

Thanks for the great information! We will have strollers, but I just want to be prepared and be on the safe side. My son is easily distracted and probably won't want to spend too much time in a stroller. The id bracelets sound great, but I don't have time to wait for shipping as we leave on Monday! I wish they had a list of local stores because it looks like the company is local (to me).

 

[labagit]

I'd give them a call. I don't know if you mean you're local as in Scottsdale, but if so, it seems to be a small company that you could probably walk in an make a purchase. If you're nearby but not that close, they could tell you if there's someplace to purchase them directly. I wish I could remember what type of store I found them in. It's been way too long.

Have a great trip!

 

[Pixieshouse]

I made little heart tags at the pet store with my dd's name and my phone number on it. The number forwards to my cell. I also pin these to the back of their collars so that they can't fiddle with them. Both girls know where they are at and even though my oldest knows our information, just in case she is nervous she will have the information.

Many CM's commented on the idea and said that it had helped them find parents in the past.

 

[caimakale]

This is what we use:

http://www.themouseforless.com/downloads/kids/id.shtml

I print enough of them to keep a copy with me, a copy with my wife, one in my kids lanyard with their AP, and one at the hotel room. I put both my wifes and my cell # on them, the hotel we are staying at, height, weight, etc. and I print them out on photo paper so they are better than regular old paper.

My girls absolutely absolutely love them!

 

[mommy2mrb]

You can purchase the name tags that look similar to what the CM's wear in the parks, they will put your child's name on it, my DD has one and I used a label maker to put my name and cell # on the back.

If your okay with your kids wearing a pin w/their names on it, this is a great thing, the CM's will call them by name, my DD loves it.

You can get them just past the train station right hand side in MK and I think they are $6.00.

Have a great trip.

 

[lilsprstr]

Oh,those are really cute! I just don't think my kids would keep their lanyards on, at least I know the 2 yo won't. Maybe I'll print the labels and put them inside their shirt. Would someone know to look there?

This is what we use:

http://www.themouseforless.com/downloads/kids/id.shtml

I print enough of them to keep a copy with me, a copy with my wife, one in my kids lanyard with their AP, and one at the hotel room. I put both my wifes and my cell # on them, the hotel we are staying at, height, weight, etc. and I print them out on photo paper so they are better than regular old paper.

My girls absolutely absolutely love them!

 

[lilsprstr]

I'd give them a call. I don't know if you mean you're local as in Scottsdale, but if so, it seems to be a small company that you could probably walk in an make a purchase. If you're nearby but not that close, they could tell you if there's someplace to purchase them directly. I wish I could remember what type of store I found them in. It's been way too long.

Have a great trip!

Scottsdale is about an hour drive from where we live. I don't have enough time to drive there before we go, but I'll keep that in mind for next time. Thanks.

 

[Mom2Joce]

Never can be tooooo cautious...I have a pretty responsible 6 year old and I JUST ordered the pink strap from the poster down a few down...Thanks