Child-proof medical bracelet?

[PikkuMyy]

Hi everyone,

I know a family going on an overseas trip to a non-English speaking country with a nonverbal boy. Can anyone recommend a company that makes medical info bracelets for a child with small wrists, that is impossible for the child to take off?

Something like this:

http://www.medicalert.org/shop/medicalert-jewelry/emergency-medical-id/bracelet/detail/A663.htm?n=Teal-Medical-ID-Bracelet

but specifically for kids?

Thanks!

[Emmeline II]

I don't have a specific recommendation but there are sites for child bracelets out there

http://www.google.com/search?q=child+medical+alert+bracelet&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

This is a medical alert temporary tattoo http://www.petitebaublesboutique.com/store/WsDefault.asp?Cat=MedicalTemporaryTattoos

[melissa17s]

We got ds's from http://www.oneida-medical-jewelry.com/  His is stainless steel, and he has never taken it off.  It is hard to do, but not impossible.  We used their paper ruler to measure his wrist and it fits well.  Our only problem with the bracelet is I catch him chewing on it a lot.  I am worried that the metal might damage his teeth.  

[jocelyndale]

Any jeweler can remove the links in a MedicAlert bracelet for you.

[melissa17s]

It is cheaper and less complicated to order it to size instead of messing with removing links.  As a jeweler, I do not work with stainless steel, and I know many who will not touch it.  If they wanted silver or gold that would be another story. 

[ALittleBitCrunchy]

When my daughter was younger and would take off the bracelet for fun, we bought one similar to the one on the Oneida site. It has a double lock - they call it a sister hook, I think? It was great because it wasn't something she was able to figure out and it stayed on.

Definitely order to size - stainless steel can't be worked on by any jeweler I know. Kid sizes can be quite small so ask them about the right length and they may have it available. Keep in mind that some sites include plate in size and some just measure the band (which I think is odd...but we ran into it once).

[jocelyndale]

I didn't realize it was a steel bracelet, I just noticed the Medic Alert bit.  Medic Alert does make children's bracelets.  You can possibly call them up if you need an even shorter length.

[kbins]

http://www.americanmedical-id.com/

We liked these because we could personalize them with the child's name, phone and other info besides the allergies.

However, the laser engraving wore off fairly quickly. They replaced them free once, under warranty. But when it wore off again (less than a year), we went with MedicAlert brand.

For an overseas trip, the American Medical ID would probably be a better choice, since the parents can put their contact info. It's also cheaper and doesn't require subscription.

We had the stainless bracelet, and the latch cannot be easily opened by a child. We also did the nylon bracelet with stainless plate, but the child can remove that more easily.

[melissa17s]

Originally Posted by kbins 

http://www.americanmedical-id.com/

We liked these because we could personalize them with the child's name, phone and other info besides the allergies.

However, the laser engraving wore off fairly quickly. They replaced them free once, under warranty. But when it wore off again (less than a year), we went with MedicAlert brand.

For an overseas trip, the American Medical ID would probably be a better choice, since the parents can put their contact info. It's also cheaper and doesn't require subscription.

Can I ask a question, with the contact info, how would this information be accessed?  I wonder if someone in another country would know to access the additional info?  

I checked ds's engraving and it is not showing any wear even though the bracelet does have teeth marks.  We got to choose what to put on ds's and we could add to front and back.  Maybe an email as well as a phone number would be helpful for overseas travels... just a thought

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by melissa17s 

Can I ask a question, with the contact info, how would this information be accessed?  I wonder if someone in another country would know to access the additional info?  

I checked ds's engraving and it is not showing any wear even though the bracelet does have teeth marks.  We got to choose what to put on ds's and we could add to front and back.  Maybe an email as well as a phone number would be helpful for overseas travels... just a thought

Perhaps adding a reliable phone number for a stateside person or doctor? 

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Maybe there will be someone on the tribe board of the destination country that knows if there is a similar med-alert system there.

If you had the med alert tattoos as well you could just write-on numbers local to where you are staying, though in this situation I would also look into getting a cell phone that will work in your destination country prior to travel.

Going abroad? Don't be afraid to pack the cell phone (article)

[melissa17s]

Emmerline, I agree having phone numbers is important.  We have ours and ds's dr.s on his bracelet amongst other info. In fact, I think the majority of these bracelets allow people to personalize their information.   I think I was not totally clear in what I was asking with my questions... What I am asking about is the fact that some bracelets offer a service to keep a more extensive database of information for patients than can be printed on the bracelet, which is what I think maybe kbins' bracelet offer as well as medical alert brand.  The reference to subscriptions made me think about it. 

Just a secondary thought related to the article you posted.  We travel internationally periodically, and we have specifically bought gsm phones so that we can trade out sims for the countries we are in.  It is substantially less expensive that using our state side service. Each time we have switch sims we end up with a different number.   I guess, if my child were missing, I might think to switch out the card to check for messages.  Something to think about, I suppose.

[PikkuMyy]

Thanks to everyone for your replies!

This country is in Eastern Europe and I do not believe it has any programs like Medic-Alert, and the mother said that most people do not speak English there.

I will forward the info to her. I hadn't thought of the tattoos, which are great, especially if placed where he can't see them.

I think they should have a Medic-alert one here as well because of the database of info, but for now they are most concerned with having some correct contact numbers to call there, and don't want people to have to think about calling overseas.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by PikkuMyy 

Thanks to everyone for your replies!
This country is in Eastern Europe and I do not believe it has any programs like Medic-Alert, and the mother said that most people do not speak English there.
I will forward the info to her. I hadn't thought of the tattoos, which are great, especially if placed where he can't see them.

The tattoo could be put on his back, perhaps its top peeking above the collar so it would catch attention if necessary. The tattoos are supposed to last awhile even with bathing and swimming, but if they do them I'd get a few jic.

[Scottypie]

Yes I found some great kids styles on www.hopepaige.com

They do not charge extra for engraving and they have silicone bands, tatoos, rubber styles with plates, and slap bracelets. I think there are others as well but those are the ones I liked. They had great customer service and I loved the one I got for my son with a stainless steel plate that they customized and it had cute cars on it!

Good luck in your hunting!!

[RiverTam]

You could try Road Id. They make bracelets and shoe tags. 

http://www.roadid.com/Common/LearnMore.aspx?PID=3

For my kids, we pin a dog tag to their shirt when we're traveling. We have them made at PetSmart.