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AIBU?

AIBU to be seriously considering getting a tracking device for DS?

21 replies

twolittlemonkeys · 27/08/2009 15:32

The other day I had a horrible experience - DS1 (3.5) escaped from the house - I was busy with chores etc and didn't hear the door open and went to check on the boys playing and they had both disappeared. DS2 (18mths) was a few doors down the road and some old people had stopped him walking on the road and picked him up but DS1 was nowhere to be seen.

After a frantic sprint up the road (towards a very busy dual carriageway) I found him thanks to the help of several kind strangers and the lady with 2 children of her own who had stopped him from crossing another busy road about a third of a mile from the house. Needless to say I was frantic and had a panic attack following this escape. DS1 has suspected ASD and no matter what I say seems to think it's funny to try to run as far away from me as possible wherever we are.

Saw these trackers and am contemplating buying one as I dread to think what could have happened. Should I get one or would that just be proof that I can't look after my kids!!

OP posts:

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Teddington · 27/08/2009 18:55

(door alarms I meant to add)

Teddington · 27/08/2009 18:54

I brought some from Asda last year in packs of 2 for 50p! Needless to say, I bought lots as I figured if nothing else, could use the batteries!

saintlydamemrsturnip · 27/08/2009 18:04

The double door handles don't last long though. Ds1 can open the ones at his school now. Removeable keys the only way once they get tall/ learn to stand on a chair.

Pandoraneedsbugs · 27/08/2009 17:40

£8 thats good
Wilkinsons sell them too - I dont know if they are any good though

The Special Unit for Autistic children in our town has double handle doors - you have to undo both at the same time in order for the door to open which may be an option in the future if you buy a new door?
Ive got two cupboard looks on some of our cupboard doors - you have to manipulate both at the same time for the door to open (quite tricky even for me!)

twolittlemonkeys · 27/08/2009 17:28

Thanks for looking Pandoraneedsbugs. I just googled door alarms and have found one for £8 including postage so will order one pronto!

OP posts:

saintlydamemrsturnip · 27/08/2009 17:06

Ds1 can open any lock but he can't open them if we have the key- you need a door which locks with a removeable key.

Pandoraneedsbugs · 27/08/2009 16:57

Hi 2little - I cant find the leaflet I mentioned, or remember what it was all about - vague memory that its a data base type thingy and wrist bracelets for child........ maybe someone else knows what I am wittering about!

I would seriously consider getting a door alarm to help with this problem - As ds grows he will figure out even the fanciest of locks but a loud alarm could at least alert you to the fact he may have escaped!

twolittlemonkeys · 27/08/2009 16:04

I should explain further - I always lock the door but he knows how to unlock it. But I am on the lookout for a suitable high bolt-type lock though haven't found one that will fit on our door yet - am considering replacing the door though!! Will have a look into an alarm which will sound if the door is opened though too. It looks like the base unit for the tracker beeps if the child removes the device (apparently it's hard to remove without the key anyway)

OP posts:

123andaway · 27/08/2009 15:56

I think prevention is far better than cure, however having an autistic DS myself I completely understand what little Houdinis they can be!!

Would your DS keep the bracelet on? The alarm looks good, but it is reliant on the child wearing the bracelet, and if you have an escaper already I think you might find it problomatic.

I solved the escaping problem when DS1 was little by putting a security chain on the door, near the top, that he couldn't reach. You can also get those security alarms that sound when the door is opened which might help, they are very cheap to buy.

saintlydamemrsturnip · 27/08/2009 15:47

oh also if you have a burglar alarm you can set them to sound an alert when the front door is opened.

AMumInScotland · 27/08/2009 15:46

Sorry but I think you have to stop them getting out. Tracking them after you later realise they've gone missing isn't going to help, apart from working out which road they've been killed on.

saintlydamemrsturnip · 27/08/2009 15:44

I had a look into tracking devices for my severely autistic 10 year old son. They're a bit problematic tbh. Radio controlled ones don't have a great range and can be blocked quite easily, whilst the GPS ones don't work inside buildings and are very hugely expensive and need to be in area with mobile phone reception to get the updates.

You do need better locks. All our windows lock and are kept locked and we have 3 locks on the front door. The back door is locked with a removable key and we only open it when someone can watch ds1. The garden has an 8ft fence (which he can scale when he puts his mind to it).

If you have a problem when you go out crelling harnesses do some great waist strap things (and houdini ones for wrigglers). I don't use it that much these days with ds1 but do if I have to pay for something and am alone with him (great opportunity for a sprint in his eyes) or if we're going somewhere busy (eg took it to a festival).

juuule · 27/08/2009 15:42

Is it a problem to lock the door?

Pandoraneedsbugs · 27/08/2009 15:42

Hi 2littlemonkeys - Horrible experience I agree, ds disappeared at 2.10 whilst I was pregnant, it was awful

I am a member of the National Autistic Society - they sent a leaflet recently about something like this I will see if I can find it for you................

hercules1 · 27/08/2009 15:41

I wouldnt because I think it would make you a bit blase about the whole thing and it cannot match supervision and precautions.

jazzandh · 27/08/2009 15:41

Can you put high bolts at the top of your doors to stop him from escaping?

igivein · 27/08/2009 15:41

A tracker won't stop them getting squashed on the road.
You could always try locking the door so they can't get out in the first place.

juuule · 27/08/2009 15:41

Personally, I'd prefer to lock the door.
Tracker isn't going to stop him getting run over if he sneaks out.

Geocentric · 27/08/2009 15:40

It could be one of those cheap alarm devices that are sold for use in hotel rooms.

Littlefish · 27/08/2009 15:39

What a terrible shock.

Wouldn't it be just as effective (and probably a lot cheaper to either lock the front door, or put an alarm on which sounds when the door is opened?

Geocentric · 27/08/2009 15:38

What a horrible experience! Would the tracker alert you if he ran off? Or just help you locate him if it happened?

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