Be sure to check out our helpful links at the bottom of the page, too, including products, services and sites designed for parents, grandparents and caregivers.

Theme-Park Smarts, Great Summer Safety Tips From Parents Magazine

"The only thing scarier than the roller coasters is the thought of getting separated from your kid. Here, five ways to give you some crowd control.

1. Have a game plan. Before you go, talk to your family about what to do if someone gets lost: Stay put, or find a park worker or another mom with kids.

2. Bring a Family Photo. (or TAT TIP take one with your cell phone the day of your trip!) This will make it easier for park security to locate your child. Take digital snaps of each of your kids right before you leave so you can show what they're wearing.

3. Tattoo Your Child. That's us! If your kids are too young to memorize your cell-phone number, mark it on them. One neat idea is personalized temporary tattoos that have your number right in the design ($20 for 30; safetytat.com).

4. Check the Map First. Start the day off by locating the park's information centers in advance so you can point them out to your children or get to them quickly in case of an emergency. Also, look for the first-aid and baby-care centers.

5. Be Stroller-Savvy. Do something to distinguish yours from all the others, like tying a balloon or a colorful ribbon on it. This is especially important if you rent one at the park -- yours will be identical to hundreds of others."

Tat Tip: Many of us -- including me -- have tried using a permanent "Sharpie" marker on our kids. Here's why we shouldn’t:

Excerpt from Wikipedia: "According to the manufacturer's safety data sheets (MSDS), various Sharpies contain: n-propanol, n-butanol, diacetone alcohol, xylene, and cresol. The first of these, n-propanol, is commonly used in cosmetics. The other four, however, are industrial solvents, chemicals that should not be sniffed, eaten, or put on the skin. As solvents they penetrate the skin and fingernails, and do enter the bloodstream."

mmmmmmm. Sounds tasty, doesn't it?

Also, with hand written identification on your child -- such as a note in their pocket with your phone number, a sticker inside their shoe, or even a temporary tattoo you write your number on (like our Quick Stick Write-On!)-- you are relying on your number being 100% legible and not smearing off with sweat, water or moisture. Be extra careful to write legibly. Choose identification your child won't lose. If you are using our Quick Stick Write-On! SafetyTat, the marker provided is waterproof (so it won't smear or fade) and non-toxic, but not appropriate for writing directly on skin. The Quick Stick Write-On! provides a complete barrier between the marker and your child's skin.

Have a Plan

Many parents struggle between giving their children freedom and providing them protection. Freedom offers children time to explore, learn, run (and fall), succeed (and fail). Freedom offers opportunities to learn, albeit sometimes "the hard way". Where do we draw the line?

While we cannot protect our children from every mishap, what we can do is prepare them.

We already knew that parents love the peace of mind SafetyTat provides and kids love the cute SafetyTat designs. We learned something very important: when wearing SafetyTat, many children do not panic when separated from parents. They feel EMPOWERED. They are calm, know exactly what to do and understand that the simple tattoo on their arm is a way to get back to his/her parents fast.

Having a plan helps to set your children's expectations and allows them the confidence that they know just what to do in a given situation. If you calmly talk to your children about "what to do if..." They will not be fearful. They will simply take charge.

Tat Tip: Historically, we have told our children if they are lost to seek a police officer. Not so. Here’s why:

According to Gavin de Becker, Child Safety Expert, and author of Protecting the Gift (Excerpt) "Teaching this to a young child ignores several facts: All identifying credentials, insignias, badges and nameplates are above the waist, but a young child sees a world of legs. In fact, many children get lost in the first place because of following legs (the wrong set): Legs aren't that distinctive when viewed from two and a half feet off the ground."

De Becker also states as an inflexible rule: Teach children that if they are ever lost, Go to a Woman. Why? De Becker says, "First, if your child selects a woman, it’s highly unlikely that the woman will be a predator; A woman is likely to stop whatever she is doing, commit to that child, and not rest until the child is safe."

Tat Tip: We tell our children if they are lost, ask a MOMMY for help.

Lost Child Stats and Facts
Presented with our permission from Family Safety Expert, Alyssa Dver, Founder of
The Center to Prevent Lost Children

Rights owned by SafetyTat LLC

• Over 2000 U.S. kids get lost every day.¹
• Less than 10% are reported to any authority.²
• 90% of families will experience losing a child in a public place. 20% have lost a child more than once.²
• 95% will forever remember the trauma of getting lost.²
• Parents rank losing a child 5 times more concerning to them than terrorism and 3 times more concerning than abduction.²
• Kids get lost most often in malls and stores (45%)²
• 27% of families that visit an amusement park lose a child while they are there. That's nearly 1 in 3!³
• Only 9% of parents put some form of safe ID on their children.²
• 76% of parents want to know what to do to prevent a child from getting lost.²

Sources:
1: NISMART2: National Incident Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway and Thrownaway Children. U.S. Department of Justice. October 2002.
2: Wander Wear Inc. parent survey, September 2006.
3: IntiMetrix study, 2002.

A Special Message from the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children

"Don't You Forget About Me" presented by Ernie Allen, President and CEO

The Center to Prevent Lost Children

CPLC the leading authority in the collection and dissemination of critical information that prevents kids from getting lost. The website provides “Away from Home Tips” and advice about child safety.

Family Education Website

Take the “Safety Quiz.” You may be shocked by your score!

Safer Child Website

This is a great website about child safety. The particular page we’ve marked here is a heart warming list of things your children should know. Tat Tip: Communication is the key to prevent losing your child. While applying a SafetyTat to your child, use that time to thoughtfully explain to him or her what to do if you are separated. Tell them that their tattoo is a way an adult can return him or her to you. You may be amazed by how much they can comprehend about child safety. They will most likely feel confident and protected.

McGruff

Who doesn’t love McGruff? We parents were probably first introduced to “take a bit out of crime” years ago from this canine detective.

McGruff says to teach your children about child safety. Most strangers are nice, but some are not. You can’t tell if a stranger is nice or not by looking at him or her. But you can tell if a situation is good or bad...Click to read more tips

Sites Designed to Help Children and Families in Need

Austin Hatcher Foundation: For carefree, cancer-free childhoods

Founded by Jim and Amy Jo Osborn, The Austin Hatcher Foundation supports research towards the diagnoses, treatment and development of a cure for pediatric cancer and provides support and hope to children and families undergoing treatment as well as to those who have lost children due to cancer.

The foundation was created for the profit of common good by parents who know the long reach of pediatric cancer. Born from loss, Austin Hatcher Foundation passionately values the sparkle of infant life.

Amy Jo and Jim are inspired and committed by the memory of their son, Austin Hatcher Osborn--"Hatch" that out of the loss of one, thousands will be served and saved. Visit the Austin Hatcher Foundation website

Trekaroo: Kids. Trips. Tips.

Do you like to travel but are frustrated taking a chance on how kid-friendly your destination may be? Fret not. We have found a great resource for people just like you! Trekaroo!

You'll find great tips on age-specific destinations, gear, and travel tips. You can talk with parents who have "Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt" for candid opinions on a variety of destinations. You can even book your trip online. We found the map right on the home page the most helpful. as It sorts your information by region.

Last, but not least, if you are bubbling over (or boiling over) after a trip you've taken and would like to write a review for Trekaroo, you can do that! And they'll even compensate you for your written review.

This site is so good, we just had to share. Check out Trekaroo Travel Tips Website >

Care For Hire

Care4hire.com is an online database for families and caregivers to search babysitters, housekeepers, tutors, elder/companion care, pet sitters and other miscellaneous service.

A free preview of available caregivers is available to families. Whether you need a caregiver for a few hours to a few days, you will find it at Care4hire.com.

Once you are a registered member, you will be given immediate access to caregiver through email and phone. FREE TRIAL to search for caregivers in your area.

"Because I Said So" A great new book By Dawn Meehan

(From Amazon.com Reviews) Written by the enormously popular blogger Dawn Meehan (of BecauseISaidSo.com) and Mom 2 My 6 Pack, this book is like a longer, more detailed version of her terrific blog. Those of you who have come to know and love Dawn and her family through her blog will recognize all the characters, but there's new material in there so you won't feel like it's just a re-tread of the blog.

If you want a light, easy and wildly funny look at parenting a large family, stop here. It's a ton of fun to read, and it will make you feel great to realize that all parents - no matter how many children they have - struggle with the same craziness in raising our kids.

Mommy Warriors

Founded by Moms Nicole Taylor Perry and Alyssa Banko, Mommy Warriors is designed to entertain moms with funny videos, photos and stories and to create a community where moms can exchange honest points of view on the battle of raising kids.

Just for fun: Be Greater Than Inspirational T-Shirts

Using the mathmatical symbol ">", these clever t-shirts provide a positive message. "Be > Yesterday. Today." is a t-shirt we love. Be Greater Than clothing will inspire you to live your life with optimism. Hey, B > folks: How about B > Lost. SafetyTat!

Just for fun: The Butler Bag

Tired of digging in your purse for a pen... and coming up with crumbs? This revolutionary purse will organize you. You will have a birds eye view of all your purse's contents -- There is a perfect spot for your child safety SafetyTats. Every mom needs a Butler.

Just for fun:The Hip Grandmas Club

You're a grandma (or will be one soon), but this isn't your mother's mother. No, you're way too cool for that. You're too young (the average American first-time grandmother is 47); you're too hip.

Other topics to consider: Safety Tips for Lost Children, Internet Safety, Child Safety, Child ID, Corporate Partner Safety Programs and Materials, Interactive Safety Quizzes, International Abduction Prevention, Importance of Photos, Prevention Works