How walkie talkies can help keep your kids safe

Using walkie-talkies is a great way to keep your kids safe while traveling or playing. Here are our top tips on what to look for when buying a set.

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With the summer holidays approaching, children are playing outdoors longer and many families are going on day trips and vacations. For parents, this can be a daunting time as it can be difficult to keep your children safe while allowing them some freedom and independence.

One of the ways parents can protect their children while they are out is through two-way radios or walkie-talkies. If you're not ready for your child to have a cell phone, or if you're visiting an area where cell coverage is limited, a walkie-talkie is a great way to keep in touch with your kids, or vice versa. Besides, they can also be a lot of fun for children.

In this blog post we look at how you can protect your children with a walkie talkie and what to look for when buying one.

With a walkie-talkie

Before you consider buying a set of radios, you should consider the scenarios in which you might use them, as this may affect which product you choose. Some examples of scenarios where walkie-talkies could come in handy are:

Camping and other outdoor trips

Since many campsites and outdoor activities are in the countryside, cellphone coverage can be poor. Using walkie-talkies allows your kids to walk around while keeping in touch with family members.

theme parks and festivals

Due to the number of visitors to these attractions, children in a crowd can become separated from the group. Giving your child one walkie-talkie to carry while you keep the other can mean they can contact them if they get in trouble.

gambling or running errands

It can often be nerve-wracking leaving your kids outside alone for the first time, whether they're playing with friends or going shopping, but giving them a walkie-talkie will give you peace of mind as you'll be able to stay in touch.

Buy a walkie talkie

Despite the simplicity of walkie-talkies, it can be difficult to decide which features you need. Here we make the buying process easier for you by explaining the pros and cons of wireless features:

Batteries or rechargeable

Many cheaper walkie-talkies use batteries, while the higher-end models have rechargeable batteries with a charging dock or cord. While swapping batteries means you don't have to worry about finding a power source, swapping batteries for two or more devices can be quite expensive. If you're going for rechargeable walkie-talkies, you need to make sure you plan ahead by allowing enough time to ensure they're fully charged.

amount of channels

To minimize the risk of someone else hijacking a frequency or connecting to a channel you shouldn't be on, e.g. a security or emergency services channel, we recommend opting for walkie-talkies that can receive multiple frequencies.

Some walkie-talkies also have privacy codes in addition to the different channels - although it's important to remember that these aren't completely secure. You should make sure your children know what to do if a stranger overhears them or tries to communicate with them.

Optimum range

Many walkie-talkies are advertised as having a satisfactory range that doesn't actually work. Make sure the radio you choose meets your needs - if it's not clear or you're not sure, don't be afraid to ask a member of staff for help.

simplicity

Although many kids these days are incredibly tech-savvy, be sure to choose a device with a simple interface so they can be used in an emergency.

voice activated

Older versions of walkie-talkies require a button press before communication, while modern devices support Voice Operated Exchange (VOX). This means that the radio activates hands-free calling when it detects noise above a certain level.

Weight

The weight of a walkie-talkie is an important purchasing factor as young children may have trouble keeping a device with them if it is too heavy.

resilience

Children's play and outdoor activities are often physical, so it's important that a walkie-talkie can handle both those rigors and the elements.

Color

The color of a walkie-talkie is usually not just for aesthetics, as a light colored device is much easier to find (and less likely to be left behind) than a dark or camouflage one.

licensing

Two-way radio regulations vary from country to country, for example the UK requires a license so be sure to check if they can be used when visiting another country. Don't be tempted to import a cheaper model from the US as some devices are not legal in the UK. Again, if you are unsure, speak to an expert.