Is Putting Your Child's Name on Things Dangerous?

Does Personalization Compromise a Child's Safety?

September 29, 2010

If a kid likes it, put their name on it! Many moms slap a label on the inside of their child's school sweater or jacket so it doesn't get lost. But does personalizing everything from the kid's lunch box to his baseball cap and sneakers, potentially put the tot in harm's way? If a stranger knows a kiddo's name, can it compromise their safety?

7 Comments

starbucks 2 years 33 weeks

I also grew up in Europe (Germany) and I remember in elemantary school we all knew not to display our names or addresses on our backpacks...To say it's only dangerous in the US is ridiculous.

2 years 33 weeks

Btw, to my comment above, the people at my school have their full name, first (middle if they have) and last name, not just first name!

2 years 33 weeks

in this case, I am the child. I grew up in Europe, where it is very normal with your name being on clothes or backpacks etc, but my cousin grew up in the US, and if our grandmother (who lives in the same country as me) bought things for both of us like a bottle with our names on them she wouldnt have my cousins name, just things that are on the bottles thats not names or nicknames, because it was too dangerous. In europe it's not dangerous. I currently live in Quebec, Canada and almost all the people at my school have their name on their backpack! I think it's almost just in the USA it's dangerous.

lickety split 2 years 33 weeks

Unfortunately it's not safe. I got some super cute barrettes with my girls names on them when they were about 2, 4 and 5. I only used them when the environment was controlled: no strangers. It's sad, but there are people who will take advantage of your child. I don't allow the schools my children attend to use pictures of them on web sites or n brochures. To me it's as if you ate saying, "look where THIS child is Monday thru Friday!!!". Not a good idea:

amber512 2 years 33 weeks

Yeah this isn't really an opinion thing. It is dangerous! Initials are safer.

2 years 33 weeks

If you want to monogram the backpack or lunchbox, use their initials. Also, come up with a secret word that your child can remember and if someone claims that they have come to pick up your child, they must know the secret word. This is something my mom did with me, especially for when I went on field trips.

2 years 33 weeks

It's not really an opinion issue, it's been proven to be a danger. A child gets a sense of security when someone knows them by name. For the same reason, it's strongly recommended that a woman not do things like have a personalized license plate with her name on it. We always put the kids' name on the inside of bags and clothing for identification if it's lost. I wouldn't even consider having it put on the outside of anything.

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