Safety harness for small child?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-23-2005
Safety harness for small child?
8
Wed, 07-11-2007 - 2:18pm
For those of you who have been to Disney- how often do you see small children on a leash?? I'm talking about the safety harness/backpacks that have a tether. Do you think they are safe, a good idea? I'm looking for any & all thoughts on this. Our youngest will be 3 when we go and I'm sure she's going to get tired of sitting in the stroller. But she's quick and very busy- so we're wondering if these harnesses are a common sight at Disney. I've heard of people using them, but I don't want to show up there and look like a dork with my child on a leash or be seen as an unsafe parent. KWIM?
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2003
Wed, 07-11-2007 - 2:50pm

I see alot of kids come into the store with those on and I think the person that came up with that idea is a genius! In fact, I think there are some stores on the property that actually sell them. I know I have seen a few Mickey and Minnie ones around.

I have talked to a number of people (mostly moms) that use them and they love them as well.

So no..you definately won't look out of the norm if you have one.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-09-2004
Wed, 07-11-2007 - 3:04pm

I used a plain simple Elmo one on our last trip. It came in really handy . I often use it when we go somewhere crowded.


We had 4 adults with us and I still used it. I plan on using it again in September when we go.


Diane

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Avatar for laurieh88
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 07-11-2007 - 4:30pm

I think it might depend on the park, whether or not you really need this. I think it's easy to keep track of a little on at MK, and it might be a pain to take the harness on and off repeatedly for play areas and such.

In a more spread out park, like AK or Epcot (esp. the World Showcase), it could be more useful or necessary if you have a little runner!

We've never used them....just strollers and holding hands. We've not had a problem. Besides that, my kids were usually pooped enough to sit in a stroller when there was a long, open stretch of walking. I honestly can't say if others are using these. If they are, I haven't noticed.

Someone posted these a while back, and I do think I'll get one for my 3 year old this year. It'll make me feel better!

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

Whatever makes you comfortable will be fine. If you bring it and don't really need it, no big deal, right?

Have a great trip!!!!

LAURIE IN OH, Mom to:
Alex, 12.5 years old
Julianne and Leah, 11 years old
Audrey, 3.5 years old

Disneyworld trips in 1973, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006
Upcoming Setember-October 2007 trip!!!

LAURIE IN OH, Mom to:


Alex, 1

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Wed, 07-11-2007 - 5:24pm

We saw a lot of kids with them on when we were there.

Avatar for lynntabor
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 07-12-2007 - 7:17am

I have used them in the past, just IGNORE the dumb looks and mean comments.

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Avatar for cl_ktbugsmom
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 07-12-2007 - 8:44am

No, the leashes/harnesses in and of themselves are not safe. They do not replace parental attention and can actually be a safety hazard for others around the parents that let their angel wander 3 feet in front of them with a long canvas strap between them that can trip other people and clothesline other escaping toddlers.


They are an added safety measure designed so that if the child lets go of yoru hand and takes off they won't get far (before you get them or they fall on their face/knees).

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-16-2004
Thu, 07-12-2007 - 10:10am

I have not read the others' responses but the harness did not work for us. Our son is extremely energetic and he would always try to run away from us. What would then happen is that he would reach the end of the "rope" and fall face first on the ground. Honestly, like many things, I think this works well with children that are well behaved and not super-energetic to begin with. If your child will just calmly walk away, it will work, but if she's the kind who goes from 0 to 60mph in the blink of an eye, I think these things can be dangerous. Also, I found that if you go during a super crowded time, people are not looking down and might walk into the harness strap not realizing that there a shorter person walking around. When we went to AK it was very frustrating the amount of people that walked straight on into my then 18mo son b/c they are looking UP at the atractions and are not looking our for the really little ones. Just my two cents.

Ruth in FL


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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-23-2005
Thu, 07-12-2007 - 10:29am

Thanks for all the great replies. I've gotten a lot of good info from everyone. I think it might be worth trying just to see how she does. What I envision is that every time big sis (9) will go to look at something, the little is going to want to follow right behind her. That and the fact that she gets restless easily make me think we should take one just in case.

We'll also have to keep in mind to be very careful that others don't get tangled up in our tether. We're usually very mindful of our surroundings, so hopefully it won't be a problem.