How Not to Lose Your Child!

In case of separation, every second counts! Here are some tips that will help defray some of that worries :

• When travelling through airports or other crowded places, you can put bells to the toes of your son's shoes. Or, hang a small plastic whistle on a string around his neck to be used ONLY if he gets separated from you.
  
• Before starting on the trip, visit a local hospital and ask if they will make one of those plastic bracelets for each of your children. Usually, they will. Then you can put whatever information you'd like on a slip of paper and insert it into the bracelet. If you're traveling to/through foreign countries, you may want to put the information in several languages. Or, if that's not possible, write down the name, address and telephone number of the place you are staying at on a piece of paper, and 'I'm lost, please call my parents' or something of the sort, and make sure your child carries it in his/her pocket/wallet. Tell the child that whenever he or she gets lost, he/she should hand the piece of paper to a woman (make sure your child hands it to a woman, much safer than a man usually!) so someone can help them. If your child is traveling alone, this is a must! And you should write all the numbers that would be helpful for the child on a note, or in a little date book for when she/he arrives at the final destination.
  
• Please carry a recent, full-length photo taken of him in his standard travel outfit - a quick way for people to recognize him in a busy place! Or, if possible, on the day of the trip, use a Polaroid camera and take photos of each child. Put them in your purse, wallet or bag. If you become separated from your child, you will have a photo of what your child looks exactly that day. Girls' hairstyles can change, clothing can look different, etc. - so even a recent photograph may not look like what your child looks like on the day of travel. But a Polaroid taken that day will help in locating a misdirected child.
  
• When taking cross country road trips, take small photos of children (school shots, etc.) On the back write their name and age, along with any other information you desire (such as emergency medical, who to notify). Put these in a ziplock baggy and tape to the dash or somewhere noticeable in the vehicle. If an accident were to happen most kids haven't any identifcation like adults do.
  
• To help identify your family quickly in the crowded places, dress everyone in matching colors.
  
• When you have to change airplane with 2-year-old kid, you can put a safety bracelet on your kid connecting her/him to you. That way you can put your backpack on your back, she/he's connected to your wrist, and your hands are free to carry her/his carseat. By the way, you shold tell your kid, it's a bracelet - and you point out that your are wearing one, too, and when both of you reach the next gate, she/he can take it off.