Toddler Safety Tips

[hellolori]

We are bringing our DD to Disney for the first time in May. I was just wondering if anyone had any good safety tips for our vacation? I was thinking of sewing her name and our cell #s in the back of her shirts just in case we are separated. Any other ideas?

 

[lmbcdb]

We are bringing our DD to Disney for the first time in May. I was just wondering if anyone had any good safety tips for our vacation? I was thinking of sewing her name and our cell #s in the back of her shirts just in case we are separated. Any other ideas?

How old is she? My DDjust3 wore a lanyard the entire time with an information card in it. She took it off a few times when she first got it, but after we explained it to her, she never took it off again. Especially after we got her some Tink pins for it!

We also made informational papers for us to keep in our backpack that had: current picture, name, height, weight, eye color, hair color, etc. (to have to hand off to a CM if we lost her)

They also make tattoos you can personalize, but I always forget until a week before hand when it's too late. safetytats dot com

Orlando stroller also rents GPS units you can put on the child and then call a phone number if you lose them.

We usually don't have any issues - but if it was real crowded, we put both kids (DS7, also) into the double stroller so we would know exactly where they were.

 

[rillsung]

We just got back with an 18mo old (2nd trip) and almost 4yr old (many trips). As the PP said they go in strollers when it's really crowded. Or if we're walking somewhere, we have hands. We also find areas where it's not crowded so they can run around a bit and explore a bit. We really haven't ever had any problem keeping track of them. Except once. DD18mo was very shy and all about mommy for about the first 2 weeks of our trip. Then she got brave one night in Germany's Biergarten while DH and I were getting stuff packed up from the table. Turned around and she was gone. She found some stairs behind us to climb. We were also distracted talking to some family friends that we only see down there.

Some people will take a photo on the way into the park each day next to the sign. Then you have a photo of exactly what they were wearing that day.

 

[deannanb]

we didn't have a problem last summer with our 2 year old

I printed these and laminated for the boys to keep in their pockets.
They thought it was pretty cool. I will do it again this year.
http://www.themouseforless.com/downloads/kids/id.shtml

 

[msmama]

I made a dog tag at Petsmart with my name and cell phone # and attached it to the back loop of his shoe. That way if he wore different shoes I could just reattach (tie it to the laces of lace up shoes).

He was just 2 at the time so I wanted something that wouldn't be distracting to him.

I also made sure he knew what to do if he got lost. You know your child best - if she's old enough to recognize a cast member, have her ask them for help. For my son, I just told him to ask another Mom (as that was something he could easily recognize).

 

[Snappy in OK]

On our last trip to WDW, DD was 2 and DS was 4. I looked at the different options in case we got separated, and I wound up ordering dog tags for each of the kids. I included our cell numbers, their name, "call if lost", and on DS' "nut allergy". The kids wore them around their necks while we were out & about, and we never had any problems.

At night, we just put the tags on the table with the things that would be going with us the next day.

We have even used the dog tags for other outings. I took the kids to Incredible Pizza for a friend's bday party. DS kept running off to play the games he wanted - he didn't want to wait for DD for play a game. We would have to go hunt him down. At one point he couldn't find us - I had seen him & yelled to him, but he kept walking. As I came around the corner of a game, I saw him trying to get an employee's attention - and he was pulling his tag out to show the employee!!

We are planning another trip this year - and the dog tags will be coming along again.

Good luck!

 

[jpkkld]

My understanding is that CM's are not allowed to lift or rearrange lost children's clothing. Safetytats are great - if you remember to order them! But ANY tattoo can work. Apply tattoo and write your cell # with a Sharpie. A good place to apply is inside the upper arm (not under a sleeve, or just under the edge). Teach your child to look for the CM's name tags - then she'll know that the person is safe to talk to or safe to show her tattoo. Others have used number beads to make phone-number bracelets for their kids.

If you have a chore chart or responsibility chart at home, make a special one for Disney. When dd was 4, we included such items as "hold hands when Mommy and Daddy say to", "keep Mommy or Daddy in sight at all times", and "keep your glowstick at night". We filled in the chart with Princess stickers every night when we got back from the parks. We discussed all the responsibilities AND all the consequences before we went and frequently during our vacation. She didn't have any problems, since she knew what was expected of her and WHY, and knew the consequenses.

I 2nd (3rd) the daily picture - take 2 (front and side), and take them with all cameras you're bringing - your's, your dh's, your cell phones. You never know who dd might be with when she wanders off, or which camera battery might decide to die that day!

And be assured that the CM's at the parks go through extensive training on helping lost children. Have a great trip!

 

[Minniemouse07]

I don't like hanging anything around the kids necks, especially when getting on and off rides/attractions or playing in the play areas.

When ds was 2yo we ordered some customized silicone bracelets from shanrene. I just put "If Lost Call Mom XXX" and "If Lost Call Dad XXX" on them. Dd was 6.5yo at the time...she wore hers on her wrist and ds wore his on his ankle.

I'm not a fan of the shoe ids (don't work on Crocs or sandals) or writing on my kids with a Sharpie (since I tell them they can't use markers on their skin!). The tattoos are an option but I didn't think ds would be happy w/ it at the time so we went w/ the bracelets.

Four years later...we use the bracelets ALL the time! Museums, beach trips, festivals, fairs, etc...as well as subsequent trips to WDW!

Oh and ds started wearing his on his wrist at about 3.5/4yo. The transition time we started it on his wrist and if he took it off, it went on his ankle. It didn't take long!

 

[hellolori]

Thank you so much for all your great ideas. DD will be 2.5 when we go to WDW. I can't believe I forgot that in the OP.

I made a dog tag at Petsmart with my name and cell phone # and attached it to the back loop of his shoe. That way if he wore different shoes I could just reattach (tie it to the laces of lace up shoes).

How did you attach the dog tags if your child didn't have shoe laces?

My understanding is that CM's are not allowed to lift or rearrange lost children's clothing. ... And be assured that the CM's at the parks go through extensive training on helping lost children. Have a great trip!

Now that you mention this, it makes perfect sense that the CMs can't lift their clothing. It's also reassuring to have someone say that the CMs are so trained in helping find lost children. I figured they were, but it's nice to hear.

When ds was 2yo we ordered some customized silicone bracelets from .. I just put "If Lost Call Mom XXX" and "If Lost Call Dad XXX" on them. Dd was 6.5yo at the time...she wore hers on her wrist and ds wore his on his ankle. ..
QUOTE]

This is the idea my DH likes the best so far. Thank you for this idea. Maybe an odd question, but was it difficult to get the bracelet on your DS's foot?

 

[brendawl]

Thank you for starting this thread. I haven't even thought of the chance of my kid getting lost in the park! Now I can be prepare.

 

[MistressMerryweather]

The number one thing we did was have glow-in-the-dark silicone bracelets made and debossed with, "The _____ Family (555)555-5555 (or) 5555"...Our cell numbers are only 4 numbers off, so we put both on there and we used Waltograph font(Disney) which was fun. The kids, toddler included, wear them on their ankles from the time we left for the airport until we got home. They are waterproof, loose but would never come off. It always makes me feel so much better that they have them on and heaps of people ask where they can get them. Disney would make a fortune if they caught on and offered them to guests upon check-in...at a "cost". LOL

 

[MistressMerryweather]

This is the idea my DH likes the best so far. Thank you for this idea. Maybe an odd question, but was it difficult to get the bracelet on your DS's foot?

It is not difficult, but you do have to stretch it just a hair to get it over the heel. Does not hurt at all and it doesn't come off unless you restretch it back over the heel, and it stays nice and loose when it's on the ankle. So worth it. I will say that some places have "youth" size and "adult" size choices in bracelets. Choose "youth" for infant to about 4 or 5, and adult for about 6 and up. My 7yo wore a youth size on our September trip and it was just starting to get snug, but not at all tight. HTH!

 

[MistressMerryweather]

This is where we got ours.
http://24hourwristbands.com/order-custom-silicone-wristbands/
We chose the "debossed" designs. I wanted to try the "embossed", but I was afraid the kids might be tempted to chew or fiddle with the raised font and make it unreadable. Choose "waltograph42", if you want Disney font.

 

[Minniemouse07]

It is not difficult, but you do have to stretch it just a hair to get it over the heel. Does not hurt at all and it doesn't come off unless you restretch it back over the heel, and it stays nice and loose when it's on the ankle. So worth it. I will say that some places have "youth" size and "adult" size choices in bracelets. Choose "youth" for infant to about 4 or 5, and adult for about 6 and up. My 7yo wore a youth size on our September trip and it was just starting to get snug, but not at all tight. HTH!

We did the same thing. Dd is now 9yo and hers still fits just fine (we ordered from Shanrene)...and it doesn't fall off ds at 5+yo!

 

[Momof4DisneyLuvrs]

Am I doing something wrong or are they pretty expensive to go this route? I put 2 in my cart and it was almost $50. I love the idea but I was hoping to do something a little less expensive since I have 3 children that will wear them.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Am I doing something wrong or are they pretty expensive to go this route? I put 2 in my cart and it was almost $50. I love the idea but I was hoping to do something a little less expensive since I have 3 children that will wear them.

Which site? Shanrene was definitely inexpensive...I got 4 bracelets for less than $13 including shipping. It was in 2007, but it wasn't THAT long ago!

 

[Tasmen]

When I went to Disneyland with my 1.5 year old, we had safety tats AND dog tags on her. We were overly paranoid and prepared. She hardly ever left the stroller

That said, this time when we go she'll be turning 3 and will probably not want to ride around in the stroller throne the whole time. We plan on safety tats and the dog tag again.

I also used to be a huge anti-backpack leash person, but have had to eat crow there. They are great for letting the LO run around while still having a hold on her.

 

[Scuttle]

We also purchased the "LIVESTRONG" type silicone bracelets with my cell phone # listed on them and my children wore them on their ankles. The child sized ones stretch over their heel no problem. This requires a verbal child that can tell someone that it's there though. I instructed my four year olds to go to a woman with a baby/child/stroller and tell her that they were lost. I assumed that my four year old couldn't distinguish who was a cast member vs a patron, but they did know the mom/stroller/baby/child bit - sorry dads!

I know that not everyone likes the harnesses/leashes, but with triplets, I didn't have much of a choice, especially when I was alone with the kids. When my children were two, and we were in the world, I either had them holding someone's hand, had them in the stroller/backpack, or had them wearing their harness attached to an adult. If I didn't feel comfortable with a situation, we just didn't do it - like the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground in DHS - I didn't like that I could stand back and see them all, so we didn't do it. The playground in AK we had an adult per child, so they were able to play.

I always start the day taking a picture of the family using my cell phone (it's got a nice large screen on it) or my digital camera. IF something were to happen, I know exactly who was wearing what, how their hair was styled (pulled back in a ponytail, or down) and it is the most recent picture available AND I have it with me at all times during the day.

 

[MistressMerryweather]

Am I doing something wrong or are they pretty expensive to go this route? I put 2 in my cart and it was almost $50. I love the idea but I was hoping to do something a little less expensive since I have 3 children that will wear them.

Whoa! No, I just purchased 4 of them for $4.59/ea. from the 24wristbands site posted above. I chose the glow-in-the-dark debossed, but the regular are only 2.99/ea. and shipping is reasonable. We didn't choose the Shanrene ones because there is a 20 character limit and our numbers wouldn't fit with our name.

 

[brennicksmom]

We took the small picture keychains and opened them. We put the kids names, our names and our phone numbers on a paper, laminated it, and put it inside the keychain. Our kids wear crocs most of the time at Disney so we attached them to thier waistband with a caribanner clip. Since we laminated them they are also used at the water parks. We did use clear tape to secure them shut.