Tattoo your kids before your next vacation

By Aimee Heckel

Before you head off to Disney World or that much-anticipated family beach vacation, get your children tattooed.

No, not a tribal butterfly on their lower backs (no judgment if that’s your thing, though), and not a tear drop falling from their eye for each person they’ve murdered in prison (once again, no judgment; if that’s how you roll, just please roll on by).

We’re talking about tats in the name of safety here, folks. Temporary tattoos.

You knew that, didn’t you?

About 800,000 children go missing every year, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. A busy theme park or foreign beach can be disorienting for a child. And if you’ve been shopping in the grocery store and turned around after three seconds to find your kid hiding behind the chips display, you know how quickly a kid can vanish — and how terrifying it feels until you find them.

SafetyTat creates temporary tattoos that are designed to help reconnect parents with lost kids. The tattoos read, “If lost, please call” plus the cell phone number. Put one on your kid’s arm, hand or somewhere highly visible. Your kid will think it’s awesome (what little kid doesn’t love temporary tattoos?), and you won’t feel as tempted to put your child in one of those safety harnesses with a leash.

The SafetyTat IDs are waterproof, sweatproof and last one to five days. Pick a pre-designed style or customize your own ($19.99 for 24). Let your kid pick out her favorite colors and designs, from princesses to airplanes. Even butterflies (although no tribal butterflies).

The idea for SafetyTat came from a mom writing her phone number on her kids’ arms at an amusement park, in case they got lost.

Also look for the waterless tattoos. These come blank and are made with a durable applique that can last up to two weeks ($19.99 for 18).

Score some SafetyTat deals here:

• Get a free SafetyTat marking pen when you buy an alien six-pack.
• Sign up and get free discounts.
• Click here for free safety tips.

Want more help?

• Also, fill out a Child ID kit from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children here.
• Keep your kid safe online by signing up for a NetSmartz Workshop.
• Create free and fun Internet safety lessons online here.
• Also check out the Take 25 Campaign here, which encourages families to take just 25 minutes to talk to their children about safety and abduction.