Safety Tattoos for Tots

There's a new temporary tattoo in town and this one means business! SafetyTats were invented by a mom of three as a way to keep kids connected to parents when they're visiting large, crowded places like amusement parks and airports. A whopping 9 out of 10 parents will experience losing a child in a public space, so why not plan ahead just in case, right? Personalized with your phone number, SafetyTats give kids a way to get a hold of their parents in the event that they're lost. And just like other temporary tattoos, they go on with warm water and can easily removed with baby oil. A set of 30 is $19.95. (A small price to pay for some peace of mind on your next family trip, no?)

Anyone have other suggestions on how to make sure kids have what they need to contact their parents in case they get lost? Please share in the comments!

Comments

[TaraP]

I can think of several ideas that do the same thing.

First I thought of a marker on the arm. But then he might think it's ok to draw on himself.

A name tag type sticker on clothing (somewhere where it won't rub off).

Put contact info on every shirt tag that he owns. Or every shoe. And then talk to the child about showing it to someone of athority if he gets lost.

I've also had kids put a piece of paper with contact information in her shoe or a pocket whenever we go somewhere busy.

[adrienne]

Parent Hacks has a great cheap & low-tech version of this idea:

http://www.parenthacks.com/2006/08/sharpie_your_ce.html

It's one of my all-time favorite hacks.

[amy]

We go to a big music festival twice a year where it would be easy to lose track of a little one. I put a "Hello My Name is..." sticker with my cell phone number instead of a name on the BACK of my 4 year old's tee shirt. That way an adult would see it and he won't be tempted to pull it off like he would if it were on the front.

[Taryn]

TaraP - you're ideas were really great! I'd just warn parents against writing directly on your child's skin. Many markers and pens contain chemicals that can be harmful, especially on children's sensitive skin.

Keep those suggestions coming!

[Erin]

This is the best product, SafetyTat! I recently bought a supply for a trip to Europe with our twin daughters. They loved wearing them--they are really cool designs. They even reminded me when it was time to reapply. They are WATERPROOF and NON-TOXIC (unlike markers or ink on the skin) and they are not readily removed (unlike clothing or stickers) Mine do not have my girls' names on them. I didn't want strangers calling them by name. They worked beautifully. Everyone felt better knowing we could stay in contact.

I also recently used them for a very large dance event at their school. One daughter was nervous about losing track of me among the crowd. I put one on her arm and she as immediately relieved, knowing she could always get me on my mobile.

I think one of the most important things we can do to help keep our kids stay safe among crowds and strangers is to prepare them on what to do if they are separated. :}

[Shawna]

I would just right the info on a mailing label (you know, those blank sticker ones you can use with a printer?) with your information printed on, such as a cell phone number. Then insert the labels in each of your childs shoes. Teach your child to go to someone of authority whether its a police officer or security guard or even a clerk or other employee of that location. Instruct them to remove a shoe for that person so that all the information is available. The biggest thing here is to teach your children what to do in such a scary situation. They should also learn that they should never go off with someone who may come up to them asking if they are lost and offer to help go look for you. The reason the information is inserted in the shoe is it is also not readily available for strangers. You dont want your child to go off with someone who read their name off a sticker place on their shirt with the false impression that the stranger knows them or knows you.

[Michele Bonewell]

We had business cards printed with our son's name, our names and all contact information on them. Whenever we go somewhere where we know there is a potential that we'll be separated, we put one in our son's pocket. We even had some printed on plastic so we could attached them to the pockets of him swimsuits at the waterpark or beach. He knows what they are for and knows that if he becomes separated from us, he can show the card to a police officer, etc and they can contact us ASAP.

[Michelle Q]

We have custom made 'rubber' bracelets (you know, like the Live Strong kind?), w/ "If lost, call xxx-xxx-xxxx" w/ our cell #'s. The kids wear them as anklets (so less temptation to mess w/ it, and it can't just fall off), and know exactly how to direct someone to them in case they get lost.

Also - there's another company that does the temp tattoo thing - Tottoos, I believe.

[Jason]

All of these are great ideas but the consistent problem with each of these "hacks" is that it can be removed. A sticker, card, bracelet, etc... takes about 2 seconds for someone to dispose of it. The black marker would work but then you are talking about writing a book on their arm and hoping they stay out of water. It won't do much good if they have a giant black smudge on their arm. I have 4 kids and I've tried each of the quick-n-easy's and they work great until you actually need them. I've already ordered and used my tattoos and they work exactly like all of the hacks are supposed to.

[Amy]

I really like the rubber braclet idea. They are so popular now that they would fit in. When I was between 3 and 4 years old I was shopping with my mom, my dad was stationed in Germany, and she didn't know that I stopped to look at something and she kept walking. I looked up and she was gone so I left the store because I thought she left without me. Now being a parent I can't imagine the fear she had when she looked down and I was gone. I am going to look into these items for sure! I am also going to tell my daughter to never leave the location we were at together!

[Cynthia]

I've ordered products from stuckonyou.biz. They have lables for shoes, clothing, and identity bracelets. They have skin prints, but they don't have the option to personalize them yet. I do like the idea of a tattoo that can't be removed.

[Denise]

Though I have yet to order any, I like the looks of the 'Safe Shoes' product (http://www.yoursafechild.com/safe_shoes_child_id.php) They claim that their shoe labels are waterproof and tamperproof and make the good point that 'Although they seem useful, it isn't safe for your child to wear an ID bracelet, necklace, or wristband. If abducted, any visible identification will be removed. But typically abductors won't change a child's shoes.
If your child can reach a trusted adult, and show them their Safe Shoes,
there is a greater chance of rescue.

[Stephanie]

I love these safetytats my son(3) loves them as well, he has rocketship and dino ones. He also knows if ever lost to ask a “mommy” a women for help, as it is not good for them to hunt around for a cop/security guard etc. that just makes them wonder around a bunch of people getting more lost. We have he ask a women as less female predators are out there and most females would drop anything to help a child. These saftytats are lovely thankfully we have never had to use one(meaning he has never been lost) he wears them whenever we go somewhere crowded. Like to Disney live shows where they have the kids up jumping around. The problem with markers is they wear off, they can get on clothes and stain, the problem with writing the info in the clothes is not everyone would look there(and my son knows not to let anyone touch him)

[Warren]

SafetyTat is launching their affiliate program next week! http://www.performance-based.com/affiliate_programs/child/safety/tattoo/temporary_safety_tattoo.html