I've been fortunate to never have lost or misplaced my child, but it can happen to anyone and anywhere,in a blink of an eye. I've seen it happen just recently when I visited Lake Lanier's Lanier World Water Park, but also firsthand at many other events/places I've attended; at the Mall during Halloween Trick or Treating, Easter Egg Hunts at outdoor Parks, amusement parks, play parks and stores just to name a few. It's for that reason I've been wary of letting my daughter venture too far in public places, even museums, and have been a helicopter mom. I can't imagine how hard it is for moms of multiples (especially of varying ages) to keep an eye on all of them, as well as moms of those with special needs, like Autism, who may wander off and also be non-verbal.
Safety Tats lets me and other moms feel a little bit more comfortable with letting their kids explore and play freely. Of course there are other threats out there, but there is comfort in knowing that if my child is lost or hurt, my information is tattooed on her so that I can be contacted immediately. My daughter is older, and of course would be able to recite my and her father's cellphone number as well as our home address, but if she was super scared, hurt or unconscious, she may be unable to do so, so I still think Safety Tats are important for older kids, as well as for younger kids, non-verbal kids, and special needs adults.
Safety Tat has many different options for tattoos for your children-from traditional ones to peel and stick. There are options for just one cell number, multiple numbers, names of the parents, plus allergies and other pertinent emergency information.Be assured though, no matter what you choose you are getting a great product that will make your child safer.
I place Safety Tats on my daughter when we go out to large events and venues, but I am also planning to place them on her when she goes to a sleepover this weekend. Although the parents have my contact info, it will make it easier and faster for them to contact me should the need arise.
Below are some tips to prepare you child if they should get lost:
Below are some tips to prepare you child if they should get lost:
- Teach your kid(s) your contact information; make sure they know your full name (not just mom and dad), and cellphone numbers - not just the home phone number. As well as make sure your phone is charged and on during the whole time so that you can be contacted. Keep a charger in your car. *Have them practice dialing your number as well as reciting it back to you.
- Take a photo of your kid(s) before you leave the house or when you first arrive at the event/venue, so you can show it to the authorities if your child goes missing, and if not, it's just another picture to remember that day.
- Never let kids become isolated with anyone they don't know, even theme-park costumed characters.
- Tell kids not to converse with anyone unless they have checked with you (of course this is tricky as you want them to be social and friendly, just try to draw the lines as clearly as you can)
- Do not have kids wear clothing with their names on it. A stranger may say they know their name because you sent him/her to get them.
- Teach children to go to the nearest help or information center should you become separated, and make sure to point out those areas when entering an event/venue. I would suggest they go to the box office or concession stand to find an employee if there isn't a specific security area, to both find help but also as a meeting point. If the child roams all over looking for you, and you roam all over looking for the child, you won't find each other. Having a meeut-up point is important even if you voluntarily separate from older kids.
- Use SafetyTats, temporary tattoos that travelers can apply to kids and that have won numerous awards from parenting groups. They read: 'If lost, please call' and list an adult's cellphone number. There also is a new stick-on version that's easier to apply.
*I was not compensated for this post, but I did receive a sample to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own.
