What is a Child Safety Kit?

Warm weather means more time outdoors, from bike rides and playground time to safe gatherings of friends and sports practices. Sometimes a friendly game of tag football in the yard turns into video games at a friend’s house, and a child simply forgets to check in at home.

As a parent, you want to give your kids a safe, healthy, and fun-filled childhood while staying prepared for every situation, whether they’re home alone after school or out with friends. You keep a first-aid kit ready to go in case of an emergency. You teach your children about traffic safety and stranger danger so they have life skills. Another way to keep your kids safe is by creating a child safety kit. This tool provides up-to-date information about each child in your household in the worst-case event they go missing.

Here’s what you need to know about a child safety kit, how to assemble one, and the resources you need to help ensure safety of those you love most.

How to make a child safety kit

Your kit should contain the following information to help confirm your child’s identity:

• Recent photos (preferably taken at multiple angles)

• Full name and any nicknames

• Date of birth and age

• Address

• Phone number, if applicable

• Gender and ethnicity

• Current height and weight

• Hair and eye color

• Current medications and any medical needs

• Blood type

• Any physical features such as moles, scars, birthmarks, tattoos, piercings, braces, and glasses

• List of emergency contacts

The FBI also recommends:

• Fingerprint cards. Use black ink to get imprints of each of your child’s fingers. To ensure fingerprints are viable, consider going to your local police department and having them assist in the collection.

• DNA samples. Good sources of DNA include a sterile swab placed in a Ziploc bag and stored in the freezer, a used Band-Aid, an old toothbrush, or hair from a hairbrush.

Where to get a child safety kit

You can certainly go the do-it-yourself route with a kit. If you choose to order a kit, be on the lookout for free child safety kit scams. The Better Business Bureau report scams that involve companies asking for your child’s sensitive data and promising a free child safety kit in return. Protect you and your children from identity theft by never giving out sensitive or identifying information and regularly checking your child’s credit report for potential fraud. Many reputable organizations offer kits for free or for a small fee:

• The FBI recommends ordering a kit from the National Child Identification Program. This child safety kit also includes step-by-step instructions for collecting inkless fingerprints and DNA.

• Organizations like the Polly Klaas Foundation, a well-established nonprofit dedicated to the safety of all children, offers low-cost child safety kits along with age-appropriate guidance for parents and children on staying safe.

• The Ready Campaign and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offer free resources for children and families.

Protecting your most precious assets means preparing for every scenario. Contact Brinks Home™ when you’re ready to get started with a comprehensive home security plan.

Allison Clark is a senior writer for Brinks Home. She enjoys educating others on the benefits of smart home security and using technology to simplify everyday life.