Parents can now buy a gadget designed to help them keep closer tabs on their kids at large, crowded venues like the Nebraska State Fair. Chris Holbert is the inventor and CEO of what’s known as SecuraPAL — PAL for personal automated locator.
“It gets its location from the satellite systems and relays that location to parents or other caretakers,” Holbert says. “If a child goes missing, we know exactly where they are and we can find them quickly.” The small device can be placed in the child’s pocket, strapped onto an ankle or arm, or laced into a shoe.
“There’s also a little panic or SOS button on the device that if the child is scared or lost, they can push,” Holbert says. “In about five to ten seconds, our network will be notified of their location and that they’re missing or they’re scared.” If the parent becomes separated from the child or just wants to check on the kid’s location, he says it’s a fast, easy process using the parent’s existing cellular phone.
“If they have a web-based phone that can get to the Internet, then they can actually see on the screen a map and a little dot of where their child would be,” Holbert says. “Or, if they have text or email capability on their phone, they’ll get a read-out, an email or a text, that will say this is where your child is.”
The device can also be set so the parent is notified if the child enters or leaves certain areas. Holbert says the device has many other applications, with the elderly or even with pets. Learn more at www.securatrac.com.
