Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Child Safety Harness Leash

Kid harness and handstrap leash is a common thing in foreign country. I remembered back in 20 years ago, my aunt has been using it on my little cousin (aged 1+), when they need to go on board to and fro UK, Libya and Malaysia. She was alone with the boy in those days and because of this harness strap, it keeps the boy safe in her hand all times.

That was the first time I came to know of this leash and I'm pretty impress of the benefits. It's really a great helping hand when the kid got leash on. My aunt got less worried of the boy will get lost when she check-in, boarding, transit, pick-up luggages, push trolley and walking up and down at the crowded airport.

Comes to now, I used one on Terry too when he was 2.5 years old as I helpless when I shop alone with the boy. He likes to walk by himself, without letting me to hold his hand, carry or pull me to anywhere he wants to reach. I hardly get my shopping done, just keep busy chasing and my eyes tailing after him. Sometimes when he really not behave, it really makes me like a mad woman scolding him in the public.

When I first introduced this to him, he finds it so interesting and very co-operate to let me put it on. Maybe because during our few shopping trips with Mummy Moon and Yan Yan, he saw Yan wearing a harness handstrap backpack before and he finds it fun. He is very happy when I got it for him. He even remind me to put on whenever we goes shopping. He called this a "school bag", LOL! cause it is something over his shoulder.

It is uncommon to leash our kids here. Many parents think that the kiddo looks like a pet after leash on and some disagree using it as it limits the kid's freedom to explore. My cousin SIL (who is a mummy too) even scolded me before for leashing on Terry. To me, his safety comes more important than he looks like a pet or what. The society here also makes me so insecure when bringing a kid out. With the harness strap, I got the better secure feel especially when walk in a crowded place. He can simply walk out of my sight, if he not allows me to hold him tight. Besides that, I can immediately pull him away from prohibit area or dangerous zone before I fast enough to stop/ reach him. If my hands full of carriage, I'm not worried too, as the strap will be hanging across my wrist. It gives me a peace of mind too if I want to check out something from the shelf and let go his hand. For the boy, he can walk slightly free within a few meters away from me.

I'll only use this when we're not going out with daddy. Normally when me and Mummy Moon go shopping with kids, we both will leash them up. It draws attention to many pairs of eye looking on us and the kiddo. Some looks so surprise on it and I even over heard people comment about us when walk pass them.

I got this The First Years Elmo 2-in-1 harness & handstrap at Pavillion Parkson's baby section. It cost RM32.90, if I'm not mistaken. It is very easy to wear on, self-fastener velcro strip closure on the back. Others leash design which can find are like keeper bag with strap*, plush toy harness & hand strap and wrist harness handstrap.


If you have an active curious toddler, this is your best choice for outing, shopping and travelling. What do you think?

* This is NOT a paid review

8 comments:

LittleLamb said...

we ditch this leash long time ago..cos philip dont want to wear it at all ....

etceteramommy said...

You're right.. our kid's safety is most important, esp here. You just don't feel safe bringing kids out.

Mummy Gwen said...

I was looking for this safety harness leash for Gwen to use at the airport months ago coz I was travelling alone with Gwen that time. But I didn't know where to get it. Luckily, Gwen was very well behaved while at the airport.

It's good to have one. Terry and Yan Yan are very cooperative. Some kids might not want to use it.

Chinneeq said...

i have 2 boys and although they can walk now, we dare not let them step their foot on the floor at the shopping malls. so worried they wont wanna be carried/put on stroller anymore once they realise their freedome. wonder how long can it last.....

Vickylow said...

Yes I agreed to leash our kids if they are uncontrollable. It's better to keep our kids safe rather then regret anything bad happen. I didn't use the harness leash but I'll ask my gal to sit in the stroller, hold my hand while I'm shopping alone with her.

MommyAngel said...

I have got one same one for Angel too but she refused to wear it ..... I am still trying to coax her to wear it and yes, I do get some stares from strangers but hey, I don't care .... who is going to find her for me if she went disappearing right?? For me, it's definitely a good solution for holding onto an active kids :)

Family First said...

Hey! I've got that ladybug leash. But ya, my son dont want it on him. It was a gift and he was too big for it by then. So we end up carrying him if he tries to get naughty and run (which is common).

karenyiau said...

I never tried using on my kids, and I think it's way too late now. Anwyay, I rarely bring them to shopping mall because with them around, I won't be able to buy anything as I will glue my eyes on them. More often I bring them to park, playground or friend's place for gathering.