“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes
Traveling with our kids offers new experiences for the whole family. It’s a wonderful way to teach children about different places, various history, and other cultures. Family adventures are as much about discovery as they are about keeping kids safe on vacation.
We’ve shared tips for traveling with your children. After all getting there is half the fun. But what about at your destination.
Here’s a comprehensive guide of tips to keep kids safe on vacation, covering everything from preparations to car seat protocols and beyond.
Pre-Travel Preparation: Ensuring Safety Starts at Home
Guard Your Privacy: In today’s digital age, oversharing can pose risks, especially for older kids with access to social media. Remind them to refrain from disclosing private vacation details online. This can protect them from potential “predators” from knowing their location during a vacation. And it can protect your home so that online peeps don’t know your home is empty while you are on vacation.
Know the Parents: Equip your children with the vital information they need in case of an emergency. If they’re too young for a mobile phone, have them memorize at least one parent’s name and phone number so they can recite it to emergency personnel. It’s crucial information that could prove invaluable in unforeseen situations.
Practice Safety Scenarios: Role-playing “stranger danger” and other safety scenarios at home can empower children with the skills they need to navigate unfamiliar environments and situations with confidence while on vacation.
Set Expectations: Before stepping foot into a new place — like airport, restaurant or hotel — discuss behavior expectations with your children. From airport etiquette to recognizing potential dangers, proactive communication lays the groundwork for a safe journey.
Download our report: Common Car Seat Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Car Seat Safety Never “Goes on Vacation”
Buckle Up Every Ride: Seat belts are non-negotiable, even for passengers not requiring a car seat. Lead by example and ensure everyone in the vehicle buckles up securely for every ride. Even if your vacation only includes a ride from the airport to the resort and back, you need to properly restrain every passenger.
Know the Laws: Research the car seat regulations for each destination you’ll be visiting. Understanding local requirements is essential for compliance. For instance, your state may allow a child to be in a forward-facing car seat at age 1 but many other states have been upping that to at least 2 years old. We have a list of car seat laws by state and include some countries.
BYO Car Seat: Whenever possible, bring your child’s car seat from home to guarantee proper protection on the road. It’s the simplest way to ensure peace of mind throughout your journey. It’s a car seat you are familiar with a know how to use properly — we hope. Experts agree planning to rent a car seat is not a good idea.
Travel Car Seats: If your every day car seat is heavy, think about buying a light weight compact car seat for travel. Another option for toddlers and up is the super portable RideSafer travel vest. Lightweight and compact, travel car seats are perfect for on-the-go safety, especially when utilizing ride shares or taxis.
Vacation Accommodations: Creating Safe Spaces Away from Home
Room Safety Inspection: Prioritize your family’s safety by conducting a thorough inspection of your vacation accommodations. From looped window cords to unsecured furniture, addressing potential hazards ensures peace of mind throughout your stay.
Balcony Vigilance: Take extra precautions when staying in accommodations with balconies or patios. Ensure locks are secure and furniture is positioned away from edges, minimizing the risk of accidents.
Electrical Awareness: Keep a watchful eye out for exposed electrical outlets, a common hazard in many accommodations. Packing outlet covers can provide an additional layer of protection for curious little ones.
Baby Proofing on the Go: Create a little travel baby-proofing kit with some outlet covers, cabinet locks and safety straps. Just don’t bring anything that would become a permanent fixture in the hotel room.
Out and About: Keeping Kids Safe on Vacation
Just in Case Separation: Equip your children with the knowledge they need to stay safe if they become separated from you. Establishing a designated meeting place and teaching them how to seek help from trusted adults can mitigate panic in stressful situations. Are you in a location that employees wear badges? Show them how to identify the badge?
Be Bright, Be Seen: Dress your family in vibrant colors, even matching, to enhance visibility in crowded settings. This simple precaution makes it easier to keep track of each other, even in bustling tourist hotspots.
One Starting Picture: Start each day by snapping a photo of your child. In the unlikely event of separation, having a recent photo with their current clothing can aid authorities in locating them swiftly.
Stroller Safety: Navigating with Ease
Personalize for Visibility: Make your stroller stand out in a crowd by attaching balloons, flags, or even glow stick bracelets for nighttime visibility. Ensuring your stroller is easy to spot enhances safety in bustling environments. Just think about how many strollers are parked in areas of Disney World!
Supervise Always: Never leave your child unattended in a stroller, even for a moment. Vigilance is key to preventing accidents and ensuring your little one’s well-being. This one is from our own experience. Our oldest lost his fingernails after standing up in a stroller and tipping it over onto his hand. It was not a pretty sight.
Water Safety: Making a Splash Without Compromising Safety
Close Supervision: Maintain vigilant supervision whenever your children are near water, regardless of their swimming abilities. Remember, accidents can happen in an instant, so staying within arm’s reach is essential.
Respect the Elements: Whether swimming in the ocean or lounging by the pool, familiarize yourself with local water conditions and adhere to safety guidelines. Riptides and strong currents pose significant risks, even for confident swimmers.
Equip Properly: Invest in appropriate flotation devices and encourage their use, particularly for younger children. Additionally, wearing flip-flops or water shoes minimizes the risk of slips and falls around pool areas or burns from hot sand.
Hydration Awareness: Sip Smart, Stay Safe
Drink up: Staying hydrated is just as important on vacation as at home. Remember to bring water bottles with you on your journeys so you always have access to drinking water.
Assess Water Quality: When exploring foreign locales, always verify the drinkability of tap water before allowing your child to indulge. If tap water isn’t potable in your accommodations, leave a friendly reminder note to steer clear. Keep bottled water handy for toothbrush rinsing and other daily needs.
Health and Wellness: Preparedness for Every Situation
Pack a Get-Well Kit: Keeping kids safe on vacation is one thing, as parents we would also like them to feel good. Despite our best efforts, illness can sometimes derail our travel plans. Be prepared with essentials like:
- first aid kit,
- anti-itch remedies for bug bites,
- sunburn relief,
- stomach pain relief,
- fever reducers, and
- allergy medication.
Know Your Resources: Keep your health insurance information handy. Check with your policy to see what is covered if you are away from home. Familiarize yourself with local medical facilities and urgent care or emergency services, especially when traveling abroad. Having access to English-speaking doctors can be invaluable in times of need.
One more general tip that may not be so much about safety. Don’t try to do it all. If you are the type who wants to go every where, see everything, and have a plan for every second of your trip, chill for a second. Remember traveling with kids changes things. Your day will go smoother if you plan for a nap and stick to somewhat of a familiar routine. Plan for some activity and some down time for every day. Less stress for your child equals less stress for you. And this keeps everyone safer.
As we embark on our family adventures, let’s prioritize safety without sacrificing the thrill of exploration. By implementing these expert tips, we can create lasting memories while ensuring our children’s well-being remains paramount. Here’s to safe travels and unforgettable experiences!
By Amie Durocher, Creative Director at Safe Ride 4 Kids and certified CPS Tech since 2004
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