Beware the scaremongers. They're lurking everywhere these days. IdentiKids, a child-tagging company, has come up with the extraordinary figure that 5,000 children a year become "frightened and extremely distressed" by being accidentally separated from parents. Holidays are thought to be particularly dangerous territory. It makes you fearful of letting your family leave the hotel room unless, of course, they're branded with IdentiKid wristbands, including waterproof ones for the pool.

Perhaps my kids come from another planet, but they seem to quite enjoy becoming unexpectedly separated from their parents. Isn't that just part of growing up?

Even if you subscribe to the there's-a-dangerous- stranger-around-every-corner school of thought, most commercial safety products make no difference. The Suzy Lamplugh Trust points out that, in the very unlikely event of someone having malicious intent towards your child, wristbands like the Identikid wouldn't protect them. "The important thing is that children aren't wrapped in cotton wool one minute and sent off into the world with no preparation the next," says the Trust. The new Rough Guide To Safer Travel is another good antidote to excessive anxiety (free from some post offices).

Reader Sharon Heal also has a cost-free idea: "Write your mobile phone number on a kid's arm in case they get lost." As always, parents have the most sensible suggestions.

· Post your tips and queries on the Travelling with Kids Forum at deabirkett.com.