Lost Kid/Safety identification while travelling

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We'll be travelling extensively again this summer and I'm wondering about kid identification products/methods that anyone has used and can recommend. My son is 4.5, verbal and can answer with his first and last name and give other information (what city he lives in, his parents' names) if someone asks but I'm not confident he would be able to communicate that or much more in a stressful situation- especially with unfamiliar people and people whose first language is not English. He's not really the type to wander far (he has never done so before and usually circles back looking for us if he's gone out of his comfort zone) and he has been a strong swimmer for over a year now. But I still worry, perhaps more now because we have another walking/running child to keep eyes on at the same time.

Anyway- I'm not sure he would tolerate a bracelet, but he might. Maybe something pinned to the outside of the back of his shirt? It would have to be something he can't remove himself, I suppose.

If you use such lost kid/identification products do you include info about your child's autism?
How have you taught your child about what to do if lost?

Thanks...

I"m not sure it would work for you, but last year I used these write on temporary tattoos. You write your name and number on them and then put them on the kid. The only issue is that it can be removed although I had one stay on one of my kids for 3 weeks. Honestly... if you are worried he might remove it and you need something on him for extended periods of time... just buy a fine tip sharpie and write on his forearm or in the crook of his elbow. Something he could point to. Could even do something more hidden like ankle. I might do this this year because my other child, the one who it didn't last 3 weeks on, it just wouldn't stick to her. Her skin is a little less dry so they kept coming off. She also wouldn't tolerate bracelets. Said they were scratchy.

Bluetooth or GPS are the best way to go.

Amber Alert GPS is a top rated, but somewhat expensive device because of contract service plan costs (<0.50/day + $120 initial purchase). PocketFinder Personal GPS Locator is less expensive and does not require a contract, so you can turn on the service just for vacations. Less expensive is Mybuddytag, Bluetooth.

Have fun on your trip.

Yep.....GPS/Bluetooth!

And an ID Bracelet!

If your kid carries a bag or backpack make sure your number is in there - although that doesn't help if they become separated from the bag (though you might get the bag back!)

My son is a wanderer. He's much better now, but we've had some scary moments. I've occasionally written my number on him if I know it's going to be really busy. He doens't know my mobile phone number. I should be better at this. We do have a contingency plan if we get separated on the tube.

I recently had to deal with a lost 6 yr old who had no ID, no number, no nothing and got separated from her grandmother on London's south bank. It would have been a lot easier if she'd had a phone number in the bag.

Bluetooth?
Looking into these things..

Thanks!

Go old school and get a piece of white fabric and a black Sharpie. Write name, parents name and contact info and autistic on it. Sew it into the inside bottom of the shirt. Show him where it is and tell him if he's lost to show it to a policeman or somebody so they can find you. It will be with him as long as he's dressed a and nobody will see it normally unless he shows it, but would be easy to find if people are looking for nametags or something in his pockets. It's also easy to remove later.

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I'm giving it another shot. We will see.
My forum is still there and everyone is welcome to come join as well. There is a private women only subforum there if anyone is interested. Also, there is no CAPTCHA.

The link to the forum is http://www.rightplanet.proboards.com

If he won't tolerate labels, could you sew it into the inside of a trouser pocket and then he could pull the pocket out to show the details.

When we travel on vacation I actually get engraved pet tags to put on their shoes. I put our names, phone numbers and hotel info. They are only about $10 for each tag so we just make a new one when we travel.