Usually Luggage has Better ID than Kids - Keeping Your Children Safe While Traveling

Anyone who reads this blog even semi regularly knows I love my kids and being a mom. I especially love traveling with them and exposing them to different places and cultures. What I don't love is worrying about them when I travel.

I'm part a huge network of hard working, entrepeneurial moms called "The MomPack" and through this network, I met Cynthia of Chicks and Cubs. She responded to my request for samples of products for guests in my vacation rentals.

There are just some ideas worth sharing and before seeing her product first hand, I kept thinking of all these moments that I wished I had some of her child safety id bracelets, even for my teen and preteen and their friends! Please read on if you have a child (or even an older forgetful family member) traveling with you this busy holiday season...

Child Safety While Traveling

Do you go to busy, crowded places on vacation? What would you do if your child got lost on vacation? What would your child do if he got lost on vacation?

Usually luggage has better identification than children – why? Is it because we think kids can talk for themselves? If your child is lost, do you think he will know the right information and be able to communicate it to others? A better idea is for your child to have the phone numbers and information written down in an identification bracelet, tag or card.

Children are infinitely more precious than luggage and therefore need to have some sort of ID at all times, especially when on vacation. The best way for a lost child to be returned quickly is for them to have all the information needed to reach you, written down.

There are many different styles of child identification. You have to pick what will work best for your child and the situation. There are stickers to go inside shoes, shoe tags that go on the shoelaces, ID bracelets, ID tags that can be attached to the child’s cloths, and ID cards that can be carried in a pocket.

The ID should contain all the information needed for the child to get in touch with you. At a minimum it should include: mom and dad’s cell numbers, grandparent’s number(s), and your hotel phone number. Give it some thought and see what you think your child would need if they were to become lost. Then, put that information in writing and put it on your child in some form.

One word of caution, don’t put your child’s name on the outside of bracelets, bags or clothing. This would give a stranger the opportunity to speak to them by name, making some children feel like the person is not a stranger since they knew their name. All the information can be written inside the bracelet or tag so that it can be looked at only if needed.

Small children need to be taught what being lost means. One way to describe it is if they can’t see mommy or daddy. Then they need to be told what to do if they are lost. One suggestion is to teach them to look for another mommy with kids to ask for help.

Cynthia Powell, Chicks & Cubs
Offering Child Safety Products for Families
Click Here to Look at Child Identification Bracelets

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Happy Thanksgiving and Be Safe!
-VacationMamma