Child Safety Tips for Travellers
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Holidays are time to relax your mind and spend some quality time with your friends, family and loved ones. And what could be a better way to do that than going on a family trip with your kids? But, travelling can be very challenging when children are going along. Keeping children safe, comfortable, happy and well-fed can be a huge task while travelling through unfamiliar places. Exposure to new people, places, food, culture and lifestyle may be fun for you but can be very tiresome for children. So, here we are with some child safety tips for travellers to help you plan a successful family trip.
1. Equip your child with basic information
While travelling, always make sure that your kids remember all the basic information like their names, your phone number, home address and the hotel you are staying at. If your children are too young to remember, keep emergency travel cards containing all the essential information in their pockets. In case of International travels, make certain the cards hold the information in your native language as well as local language.
2. Be alert and careful
Try to keep your kids in sight at all times. It is easy for them to get lost in a crowded place. Tell them to stay close to you and not wander outside of a limited area. Clothe them in outfits that can be spotted easily in a crowd. Be aware of the strangers they talk to but don’t let your paranoia cut off all the social interaction.
3. Prepare a plan in case you get separated
You should always discuss a plan with your children in case you get separated from them. Decide on a meeting point and keep testing if they can find it. Tell them to reach the decided spot as soon as they lose sight of you. In case they can’t find the spot, instruct them to find a person behind the cash register of a big shop nearby and ask for help. A person running an established business would be more trustworthy than others.
4. Take special care of food choices
Children can be really fussy about food. It is easy to handle their moods from the convenience of your kitchen but it can be very tricky to feed them something that’s healthy as well as tasty. It is a good idea to make your kids eat local dishes as it can teach them to experience new things. Just make sure the food is fresh and hygienic. Try asking locals about the quality of food before eating.
5. Don’t let the weather affect your kids
Climatic change can adversely affect kids and can make them uncomfortable, irritable or even sick. Make sure to pack all the essentials according to the weather of the place you are visiting. If you plan to a vacation in a warm place remember to shield them from the sun and make them wear sunglasses, hats, sunscreen and loose cotton clothes. Also, try to keep them constantly hydrated. In case your destination has a cold climate, clothe your kids in winter garments like coats, gloves and scarves to protect them from catching a cold.
6. Update your medical kit
You have to be extra cautious while travelling with kids. Since the health and well-being of your children is the top priority, it is essential to add certain items to the medical kit you pack for the vacation. These are something that must be present in this kit:
- Any medicine prescribed to your kids
- Fever fighting medicines and pain relievers like baby paracetamols or ibuprofen
- Antihistamine in case of any allergic reaction
- Band-aids and bandages
- Antiseptic creams
- Insect repellents, bug sprays anti-itching lotions and sunscreens
- Anti-bacterial wipes
- Thermometer
7. Take protective measures to keep your children safe
While travelling in public transport, make the kids sit either in the middle seat or in the window seat so that they don’t go anywhere if you fall asleep. In case you are planning on renting a car, make sure to take a child safety car seat with you. You can use a travel pram to carry a lot of luggage along with your kid but make sure to avoid overloading the pram. It can topple and your child may get severely hurt. Also, make certain to childproof the room you stay in. Keep the balconies, windows and doors locked at all times. Cover any bare electrical wires or sharp objects sticking out and move away the objects prone to falling.
So, don’t let kids be the reason to take a time out from celebrating holidays. Plan a vacation keeping these safety tips to travel with children in mind and have a terrific time with your family.
FAQs
Q. How do I make a child-friendly Itinerary?
To make an itinerary fit for kids, make sure to choose a destination they will enjoy as much as you will. Do your research before booking resorts or hotels. Try to find an accommodation that offers some interesting and fun kid activities along with other facilities. Also, choose the mode of transport wisely. If you travel by road, take special care of the road safety tips. Make sure to carry child safety car seats and buckle up your kids correctly.
Q. Is there an alternative to making emergency travel cards?
Little kids, who can’t remember your phone number or address, should have emergency travel cards containing all the basic information in their pockets. But, sometimes kids tear or lose their cards. So, you can make them wear id bracelets. Just put all the basic information on small accessories and make your kids wear them as pieces of jewellery.
Q. What child safety measures can we take on an airplane?
- Give your children their own seats.
- Don’t let them go to the bathroom alone.
- Don’t let them sit on the aisle.
- Keep their belts on at all times.
- Ask for child size emergency equipment.
Q. Are there some specific safety measures to take while travelling abroad with kids?
- Let your child’s doctor check the itinerary.
- Find out the coverage your health insurance will provide in another country.
- Keep your child completely vaccinated.
- Double check your travel insurance.
Q. Is getting travel insurance necessary?
It is not legally mandatory to get travel insurance but you should get it. It is always a good idea to make sure you have a backup in case an emergency arises. Buy proper coverage to make sure you have sufficient protection.
Child Safety Tips | Tips for Travellers
