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The night the lights went out at Ikea
Filed under: Health & Safety: Babies, Gadgets
Last Saturday, we met up with some friends whose two girls are about the same age as our kids and headed to Ikea for some cheap eats and some play time. We had a good meal, the kids had a grand time, and our friends picked up a few things. We were standing near the elevators saying our good-byes when the lights went out.
Literally, the lights went out. Jared (age 4) and their older daughter (age 3) had been standing nearby, holding hands when it happened. They were close enough under normal circumstances, but in a pitch-black warehouse-sized store, they might as well have been miles away. I started shouting Jared's name as I stretched out my arms and began walking towards where I last saw him.
A few eternal seconds later, the lights came back on and there he was, right in front of me. Our friends' daughter exhibited some pretty impressive teleportation skills and materialized next to her mom. Rachel told me that she had been terrified because she couldn't see Jared and didn't know where he was.
Jared and I talked about the incident as we went to get the car; I told him that if anything like that ever happened again or if he ever got lost, he should stay put and call my name so I could find him. Pretty standard survival stuff, but it was new for him. Since we're going to Yosemite in a couple of weeks (with the same friends, in fact), this was a very timely lesson. I also told him that I was going to get him a whistle, so if he ever got lost he could blow the whistle so I could find him.
After the kids fell asleep on the way home, Rachel and I talked about it and decided that we need to carry flashlights with us in case something like that ever happens again (and living in earthquake country, it probably will.) With that in mind, as soon as I got home, I ordered a couple of inexpensive LED flashlights that we can carry. I wonder, however, what else should we be keeping handy that we aren't? What do you carry, on you and in your car, in case of emergency?
Literally, the lights went out. Jared (age 4) and their older daughter (age 3) had been standing nearby, holding hands when it happened. They were close enough under normal circumstances, but in a pitch-black warehouse-sized store, they might as well have been miles away. I started shouting Jared's name as I stretched out my arms and began walking towards where I last saw him.
A few eternal seconds later, the lights came back on and there he was, right in front of me. Our friends' daughter exhibited some pretty impressive teleportation skills and materialized next to her mom. Rachel told me that she had been terrified because she couldn't see Jared and didn't know where he was.
Jared and I talked about the incident as we went to get the car; I told him that if anything like that ever happened again or if he ever got lost, he should stay put and call my name so I could find him. Pretty standard survival stuff, but it was new for him. Since we're going to Yosemite in a couple of weeks (with the same friends, in fact), this was a very timely lesson. I also told him that I was going to get him a whistle, so if he ever got lost he could blow the whistle so I could find him.
After the kids fell asleep on the way home, Rachel and I talked about it and decided that we need to carry flashlights with us in case something like that ever happens again (and living in earthquake country, it probably will.) With that in mind, as soon as I got home, I ordered a couple of inexpensive LED flashlights that we can carry. I wonder, however, what else should we be keeping handy that we aren't? What do you carry, on you and in your car, in case of emergency?
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
6-21-2006 @ 8:21AM
Jenn said...I have one of those little pressable flash lights on my key chain, it doesn't produce a huge amount of light, but it's something, and it's light and easy to carry. A first aid kit in my car, as well as a blanket, and some bottles of water.
I also have a fire extinguisher in the car, jumper cables, and a tire pump thing that can be plugged into the cigarette lighter.
I usually have tylenol, bandaids, and sanitary hand wipes in either my bag or the diaper bag. Oh, and burp cloths everywhere -- these are the most amazingly handy things for just about every situation, whether it involves a baby or not!
Reply
6-21-2006 @ 10:05AM
Eden said...Right now at their Dollar Spot, Target is selling pocket knives, mini flashlights, ponchos, plastic canteens, etc. We stocked up and have flashlights on our keychains (my husband hs always had one) and we have the pocket knives, ponchos, etc. in our vehicles. When stuff like this only costs a buck, why not?
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6-21-2006 @ 10:41AM
Uncle Roger said...Target also has whistles in their Dollar Spot right now, which is what I got Jared. I didn't see the flashlights, though. I'm planning to get Jared one of the mini LED flashlights, but I'm thinking a combo unit (like this: http://www.kingsolar.com/catalog/mfg/gmt/sc23.html) would let him lose everything all at once. 8^)
Reply
6-21-2006 @ 11:00AM
Brenda said...My husband has one of those multi-tools permanently attached to his belt, and it is great. It has screwdrivers, knives, etc. But darn it he isn't always around, I should get one of my own(though a cheaper one because while I will only use it in emergencies he uses his almost everyday)
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6-21-2006 @ 12:52PM
Ginny said...How scary! I am glad your kiddos stuck close by.
I agree with Jenn, I have one of those little keychain lights and it would do the trick in the event of a black out.
Reply
6-21-2006 @ 2:03PM
adymommy said...We have also stocked up from the Dollar Spot at Target-We live in Il with those wonderful winters so we also have emergency blankets in our car. The nice thing about them is (right now) they take up as much room as a pocket size pack of kleenex so carry 3 of them in the car with the 3 carseats isn't an issue.:)
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6-21-2006 @ 2:46PM
ann adams said...Yosemite, huh. Don't try to go through Merced. Landslide closed 140. Darn it.
Everything has already been covered. I'd probably have some some of portapotty (improvised) in the car as well as a bucket for car sickness.
I keep an extra set of clothes stashed in the van. Even on short trips, you never know. Flares, tire repair kit, jumper cables? Gas can?
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6-21-2006 @ 4:37PM
Uncle Roger said...We learned early on with Jared to keep a plastic wastebasket below his seat. He used to throw up all the time -- still does, but not so much. The change of clothes is something we try to do and not just for emergencies -- we took an impromptu trip to the beach once and the kids ended up riding home in nothing but diapers.
The other issue is accessibilty -- with a torch on my belt, I'll have no trouble if the lights go out again, but you could a small child in my wife's purse even with the lights on, so I wonder how useful it will be if she dumps her flashlight in her purse.
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6-22-2006 @ 2:49PM
Steve Hiner said...I'm surprised that no one has mentioned this...
Most people already carry a flashlight, they just don't think of as a flashlight.
Were I in the situation you found yourself in I would immediately reach for my cell phone. The backlight in the LCD is plenty powerful enough to see close things in total darkness. If it doesn't give me enough light I would pull out my PocketPC which easily generates 10 times the light if it is displaying a white background.
Even if your cell phone didn't project enough light, since it's not focused like a flashlight, I bet it would give off enough that you could tell your kids to come to you. I realize that this doesn't spell the death of the flashlight but in an emergency it sure is nice to have it clipped to my belt all the time.
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6-23-2006 @ 11:14AM
Uncle Roger said...Thank you Steve! That is an excellent point, and I'm ashamed to say I didn't think of it. I have used my handheld in the same way, in calmer circumstances, but it just didn't occur to me. I think I need to start watching Macgyver reruns...
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