Family travel is a wonderful experience for both parents and children, but it also means there are certain additional or unusual safety hazards you should avoid.
It's just a fact. When you step outside your daily routine, children behave differently and settings are different. That alone can mean you need to be more vigilant. It shouldn't prevent you from traveling, but you should follow some basic safety tips.
Travel Planning for Safety
Before you even leave the house, try to be sure you've thought through possible scenarios.
- Carry medical records for everyone in the family, particularly for children the elderly or anyone with health issues.
- Have a first aid kit small enough to keep on you at all times.
- Have a common medications bag, with things like children's medicines for fever and colds.
- If anyone takes prescription medication, be sure you carry enough for your trip and have a copy of prescriptions just in case.
- If your trip will be extended or out of the country, check into family travel insurance.
Travel Transportation Safety
Whatever your method of getting from home to your destination, the transportation part of your trip could be the time when you need to be the most cautious.
- Don't be tempted to slack off on typical safety rules just because you're vacation. Babies should be in the proper car seats, and children age 8 and under should be in booster seats (and you need to bring them with you if you'll be flying or arrange to have some there when you arrive).
- Watch small children very closely during stops, since you will often be close to busy roads and highways. With older children, decide beforehand what to do (such as meet at the car) if you get split up.
- Carefully consider whether to fly with your baby on your lap, even though it is free (except taxes). It is really not the safest way for a baby to fly.
Safety at Your Destination
Once you arrive, you need to keep in mind you aren't at home. Kids and grown-ups alike are surrounded by the unfamiliar, and safety precautions you have at home won't be where you're going.
- If you will visit family, be sure they do (and realize the importance of doing) whatever possible to make their home childproof.
- If you will be staying in a hotel, be sure that you babyproof your room if you have a baby or toddler.
- Consider bringing the comforts of home to be sure you know what you'll find. If you'll have lots of space, the Superyard XT Safety Gate creates a space anywhere. The Peapod Baby Travel Bed is a compact travel bed for smaller babies.
The copyright of the article Family Travel Safety Tips in Family Travel Safety is owned by Kelby Carr. Permission to republish Family Travel Safety Tips in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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