November 17th, 2009
Honey, I Lost the Kids
Simple solutions to make sure your little ones stay close
“She was just here a second ago…”
It happens to all parents at some point: you look away for one second, and your child is nowhere to be seen. It’s not foul play; your little one just found something bright and shiny and wandered away. But in that insane moment, all you’re worried about is getting them back as quickly as possible.
There’s a slew of products to help ease your concerns (or prey on your fears, depending on your viewpoint), including GPS trackers and remote devices that sense when your child has wandered too far away from you. The BrickHouse Child Locator even acts like a metal detector, helping to lead you in the right direction. Cheaper solutions like the Mommy I’m Here Locator and the Giggle Bug are cute little wireless devices that can be accessed via a tiny transmitter.
Do these devices feel like overkill? How about this low-tech safety idea: get a dogtag imprinted with your child’s name and your cell phone number. That way, once an adult realizes that your child is lost, they’ll be able to contact you quickly.
Whatever you decide on, make sure to practice the scenario with your child, and always make it part of your routine when going to public spaces, like amusement parks, shopping malls, and sporting events. Child safety isn’t the most fun topic to think about, but it’s one case where an ounce of prevention can go a long way.