Traveling as a family ensures you and your kids will foster memories that will last a lifetime. There’s no better way to bond while seeing the world than getting the whole family involved. But, as a parent, there’s no denying that today’s world can be a little scary. Your top priority is undoubtedly to keep your kids safe while traveling.
On top of everything else you have to plan for a trip, implementing safety measures can feel a little daunting. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of small travel safety tips that can make a big difference and give you peace of mind, whether you’re taking a summer road trip or traveling to a completely different country.
With a bit of planning and creativity, you can focus on creating happy, lasting memories with your family while ensuring your children stay safe every time you’re on a trip.
Plan Ahead
One of the best ways to feel more at peace when you’re going on a family trip is to plan ahead as much as possible. That includes choosing family-friendly accommodations. Thankfully, that’s fairly easy to do nowadays. All it takes is a little online research and you can learn a lot about lodging, including how appropriate it is for kids, and the type of neighborhoods you’ll be in.
In addition to picking the right places to stay, you can prepare yourself and your kids by putting together a safe itinerary of things you want to do, and having the right documents and information on you, no matter where you go. That includes things like:
- Medical information for every family member
- Insurance information
- Emergency contact information
When it comes to packing, prepare for potential emergencies. While you might not want to think about anything going wrong on a family trip, it’s better to play it safe. Keep a first aid kit handy, and make sure to pack extra safety gear, depending on where you’re going, as well as any prescription medications your kids might need to stay healthy.
Stay Vigilant
When you’re trying to keep your kids safe, it can easily feel like there are threats and dangers everywhere. The best thing you can do is to stay vigilant, even if you feel like you’re in a safe, family-friendly space.
If you’re heading out on the water, learn to recognize some of the common signs of drowning. Even if your child is a good swimmer, keep an eye on them. Common signs of drowning include a panicked look while they’re trying to swim, not seeing any motion in the water, or trying to swim without making any progress. Make sure there are life saving devices like a floatation item or rope nearby, so you can pull your child to safety quickly.
No matter where you go, trust your gut. It’s more reliable than you might think, even if you think you’re being overprotective. Authentic intuition can’t be replaced. If you have a sinking feeling about a certain place or situation, don’t ignore it. Other signs include muscle tension and a sense of clarity. These feelings are designed to protect us and the people we love, so don’t hesitate to listen to them before you make a decision about something. If nothing else, they can help you stop and think before deciding whether something is safe or not.
Educate Your Kids
Depending on your kids’ age, they might be able to take responsibility for their own safety – to an extent. While you should still remain vigilant and keep an eye on them at all times, it’s also important to educate them on how to stay safe. That includes not wandering off by themselves and not talking to strangers or accepting anything from anyone.
You can also educate them on safety tips based on your location. If you’re taking a beach vacation, make sure they know how to swim before they jump in the water. If you’re going boating, teach them how to safely enter and exit the vessel, and teach them the importance of always wearing a life jacket.
Camping is another popular family trip option. If you’re hitting the trails with your kids, teach them about fire safety, what to do if they encounter wildlife, and what plants they should avoid. You can also help them with a packing list so they have all of the essential gear they’ll need for the campsite.
While some families use traveling as a way to disconnect from technology, you can use it to your advantage when it comes to keeping your family safe. If your kids have phones or tablets, utilize them to stay connected. You can even turn on the location assistant on your child’s phone to know where they are at all times.
Going on a family trip shouldn’t be overwhelming, and you don’t have to be paranoid about your kids’ safety. But, it should be something you prioritize so everyone can enjoy their time away to the fullest. These tips can help you get started.
Photo Credit
Photo is from Unsplash
Guest Author Bio
Charlie Fletcher
Charlie Fletcher is a freelance writer from the lovely “city of trees”- Boise, Idaho. Her love of writing pairs with her passion for social activism and search for the truth. When not writing she spends her time doodling and embroidering. And yes, she does love all kinds of potatoes!
lisa says
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