99TravelSafe.com
7 - Safety of Traveling Children!
The Website For The Smart and Savvy Traveler!
Related Pages - Please Also See;
7 - Safety of Traveling Children
10 - Safety of Children in Hotels
40 - Safety of Children in Water
75 – Safety of Children Traveling in Winter
76 – Children’s Winter Clothing
81 – Safety of Children Playing in the Snow
Safety of Air Travel by Unaccompanied Minors (Children Traveling Alone by Air)
Keeping Children Safe on Holidays
BEFORE leaving on your holiday remind children about your family safety procedures for dealing with strangers and what to do in case they get lost
Keep a recent photo of children handy, also a photocopy of passports kept in a safe place or with a relative who can fax it to you in case of loss OR keep scanned copies in your web based e-mail
Parents should take special care when traveling with young children. Good preparation is important
Remember to include children in your travel insurance
Seek advice about vaccinations and anti-malarial medication from your doctor
Ask the airline about special seating and cots in good time
When traveling with a baby, carry a bottle or dummy for the baby to suck on during take off and landing. This helps to equalize ear pressure and reduces discomfort
Keep some form of identification attached to your child in case you become separated
For emergency purposes, take along several recent photographs of your child
Leave extra copies with another family member
Be prepared for possible travel sickness
Take books or toys to relieve boredom
Use high-factor sunscreens and keep children out of the mid-day sun
Give children frequent cool drinks to avoid dehydration
Be scrupulous about food and water hygiene
Take rehydration sachets in case of diarrhea
Keep children away from stray or sick animals
Seek medical advice immediately if an illness persists
Respect children’s eating habits.
Respect children’s sleeping habits
A single parent traveling with children should ensure that permission from other parent is readily available for authorities (this is to prevent single parent abductions)
Always ensure one parent is in charge of keeping an eye on children and perhaps other parent can look after arrangements for travel
Dressing children in bright colors makes them readily visible. Try to remember what they are wearing
Consider using a harness for toddlers, especially in busy places like airports etc.
Remind children about road safety rules, hold the hand of children under 9 at all times when crossing a road or at an intersection
Tell kids what to do if they become separated from you. They should stay where they are so you can return to find them. Tell them to look for a mom with children and tell her that you need help finding your parents
Dress kids in bright colors so they are easy to find in a crowd. It may sound cheesy, but you may even want to dress all of your kids in the same color so they are easy to spot
Write on your child’s arm with a permanent marker like a Sharpie, ‘If found, please call…'
Remind older children to always tell you where they are going
Be careful when using public washrooms with young children
Wash hands regularly
Review your home address, telephone number and provide your children with the name, address and telephone number of a relative or friend to contact in an emergency
Never leave children alone in a car, temperatures can soar rapidly in a parked car!
When using highchairs in restaurants, make sure that children are secured by the waist and middle strap
Keep candles on the table out of reach of children
Remind children to stay away from all animals
Avoid latex balloons, small toys and hard pieces of food due to the risk of choking
Keep medicines and poisons away from small children and watch that children don't eat any plants
If you are bringing or plan on using bicycles while on vacation make sure all family members are biking safely
(see tips 90 – Bicycling Safety and Precautions)
Always keep your fingers away from elevator doors
If you get caught in an elevator, press the emergency button - but never play with the emergency button
If a child accidentally gets onto the elevator without a parent, teach them how to get to the lobby and go straight to the lobby desk
Never fool around on escalators and always hold on to the hand rail
If traveling with young children, place suitcases on the floor as Suitcase racks can be pulled over by young children and cause injury