On the journey they learned something about personal safety as they were each given a TripSafe wristband to wear.
Developed by Blyth–based company DataSMS, TripSafe is designed to give peace of mind to groups, clubs and schools who are on trips an
d visits.
Based around a coded set of colourful silicon wristbands, and using mobile phone technology, TripSafe helps reunite lost children or party members with designated group leaders both quickly and easily.
If someone is separated from their group they simply send an SMS message to the code embossed on the band. If they don't have a phone, or are too young to have one, then they are asked to approach a responsible adult with a phone to activate the alert. A message is then sent to the group leader and, as a back up, to the school or organiser.
For extra security the system doesn't provide any confidential data about the user and doesn't disclose any personal mobile phone numbers.
Alison Ashley of Shiremoor and Killingworth Children's Centre says "We weren't expecting to lose track of anyone on the day with lots of parents and carer's around, but it gave us the opportunity to test the system and introduce it to everyone.
"We have hundreds of nursery trips and outings every year and it's tremendously important that children and group leaders have a real strategy for dealing with anyone who gets separated from a group".
Managing director of DataSMS Terry Munley said: "We're delighted that SureStart are using our system; it is extremely cost effective, easy to use and the children love the brightly coloured wristbands.
"Most individualised security systems are too expensive and too complicated for schools and attractions to use, and they may only work within short distances.
"Because our tags simply have a unique code embossed on one side, they are very economical to produce; they have no electronics and no working parts. All the work is done by an online communication engine which allows group leaders to assign sets of bands for the duration of the trip.
"The bands can be reassigned and reused and will operate anywhere in the world that has mobile phone reception. You can even reassign them each day while you are away."
