7 Child Safety Tips While Traveling

Child safety should be your first thought when traveling. A family holiday can be lovely and pleasant if you research and plan ahead. With kids, you should not think of going on an unplanned adventure. Here are some child safety tips on what you and your kids need to know when traveling.

Basic child safety rules

Having family trips with kids put a positive impact on the relationships between the children and their parents. But you can afford no harm to your child, right? On the other hand, you can’t physically protect your children 24 hours a day, but you can teach them to protect themselves. Start with some basic safety rules. Before you move out, your kids should be able to share their own name, parent’s name, address, and contact number. Your child should know that they should never let themselves taken away by a stranger. Tell your kids how strangers can try to speak to them or take them away. Give them some examples and teach them how to call out for help if there’s an emergency.

Getting lost would be the worst danger, so make sure you teach your kids about what to do if they can’t find you. Tell them to stay where they are if they can’t find you. You could teach them to ask for help from people who are with kids and family. Teaching your kids about good and bad touch can help them stay away from potential threats. In crowded places like public transport, do not allow your kids to share seats with strangers. Teach your kids when and how to call emergency numbers and report an issue.

Establish communication and trust

Kids keep secrets and sometimes they enjoy it. Even if they want to share something with you, they don’t share due to the pressure of siblings and friends. Work hard to establish trust. Your kids should be able to freely communicate with you. The guilt of breaking rules set by other kids makes them hide things.

Offer assurance and tell your kids that you are going to make the right, unbiased judgment. Encourage them to share their secrets and not hide things from family. Take an active role in their activities, so you can watch them without being pushy. Establish a routine, tell the truth, be open, keep your promises, and most importantly be positive while traveling. By doing so, you not only encourage your kids to open up, you pave the way for an enjoyable holiday.

Buy your kid a whistle

If your kids aren’t old enough to handle a pepper spray bottle, buy a whistle for them. Buy a whistle like the one used by cops. The sound of such whistles is so loud but it’s very alarming. The sound it so unpleasant and annoying that anyone can tell that something is wrong. The sound of a whistle gains immediate attention. Teach your kid how and when to use a whistle.

Obviously, a small kid with such an annoying whistle needs to be briefed on how to use the device and when to use it. It may take time to fully brief them, but it will make your vacation more pleasant. When you know that your child has a safety plan, you can enjoy your holidays with peace of mind.

Do this when you’re traveling abroad

Share your complete travel plan with your child’s doctor. Tell him about the places you’re going to visit and all the activities your child is going to be a part of. Your doctor can help you know about potential health issues, communicable diseases, and preventive health behaviors. Call your travel insurance company to check what coverage you will get if you’re traveling to some other country.

To avoid potential issues at airports, keep an updated record of your baby’s immunization. Some countries use immunization record as an entry requirement. The policy is established to keep their citizens safe from diseases. Avoid visiting countries where traveling with children is not considered safe. It can be due to any reason including politics and health. Last but not the least, please do us a favor, never lose your child in congested places like airports.

Be careful at public restrooms

Child safety matters a lot. Don’t let your kids enter a public restroom alone. All kids are different and some kids like to handle things independently. But as a parent, it’s you who should decide when you can allow them to go in alone. At such places, try to stay close to your kids.

If you are a father of little girls and can’t enter the restroom, just wait outside and ask if they are okay. Wait for 20-30 seconds and ask again. This way you can know they don’t need any help when they answer. At the same time, if someone else is also there, they will know that you’re standing outside.

As a parent, you can also keep the restroom door slightly open. If your kid is not answering you, there’s nothing wrong if you enter the restroom. If your kid is not feeling comfortable in going there alone, don’t push them to do so. Enter the restroom with them even if people think it’s strange. You’re protecting your children and their safety is more important than what others think.

Plan a child-friendly itinerary

Traveling with kids means that your list of activities should include things you both can enjoy. Kids can’t do everything and that’s the reason you may have to compromise a bit. But if you’re planning carefully, you can enjoy and keep them safe. Don’t make unrealistic plans. If you are an adventurer, it doesn’t mean that you can expect your child to climb a mountain or walk 5 miles with you.

Be very careful if you’re traveling to high altitude. Acute Mountain Sickness can cause a headache and weakness in both adults and kids. Small children, especially toddlers can’t communicate if they are having these symptoms.

Research and plan ahead to avoid child safety issues. For example, if your child can’t sleep without a certain diet, check if you can manage the same during the tour. Be realistic and plan a child-friendly itinerary. Some kids are prone to motion sickness, especially in hilly areas. If possible, avoid traveling to such places. But if you have already made arrangements, carry some candies or fresh fruits to keep their stomach happy.

Some extra considerations

When traveling with kids, you can’t ignore child safety; not even for a second. Prepare a list of essentials you may need. Now see what you can easily get and what you need to carry. For example, you are traveling with an infant and need a sterilizing solution. You may not be able to travel with a bulky equipment, but don’t ignore the need entirely. Many compact solutions are available in the market which you can use anywhere. The thing also to keep in mind is to get your kid mentally prepared before trips.

You should also buy a child seat if your travel plan includes road travel. In new places, especially in developing countries, buy packaged water. Tap water is not always pure and especially for babies, it can be harmful and cause infection.

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About the Author: Mikkie

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