Travel safety with Children
By savypat
@savypat (20216)
United States
December 14, 2008 10:20am CST
By eHow Travel Editor
How to Travel Safely With Children
Whether you are flying abroad, going on a cruise, or just driving across the state, there are certain precautions you should take to ensure the safety of your children. Travel with children in tow can be tiresome. But getting them safely there and back creates great memories. Use a few of these tips and your own caring nature to make that happen.
Step1
Take your vehicle to an auto-mechanic to check all the systems for safety on the road. Buckling the children in their seatbelts isn't enough if you have a high-speed blow out or lose control of your brakes.
Step2
Give the children enough activities in the car to make the travel a little less stressful for you and for them. Bored children get cranky and can make you irritable and stressed when you need to pay full attention to the road. Pack a bag with a portable video game, coloring books, and crayons.
Step3
Watch children closely in busy areas where they can easily get lost. Be extra vigilant near water, cliffs or dangerous locations.
Step4
Hire a babysitter in hotels, but make sure that you get good referrals, and find out from the concierge the policies the hotel uses in their hiring. Going out without the children in the evening can make your days together more enjoyable, but you should always consider their safety while you are away.
Step5
Use the travel experience to teach your children how to act in public and how to follow rules. It's a great time to teach them about airport security and how to board a plane. Talk to them before leaving about how to behave in various situations. Being loud and raucous on a plane, for example is completely inappropriate and they should know this in advance. Explain why certain rules are made for their safety.
If you can talk to your children at their level, don't preach or yell, your children will see how much fun it is to travel and you will enjoy yourselves more.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@Beruang (1309)
• Malaysia
14 Dec 08
I used to take this matter for granted when I did not have my own child. Now that I have a 19 months-old toddler, these are the kind of things that I would read and try to apply to my own situation.
However, the only problem that I am currently having with my toddler is that he refused to seat in his chair and he refused to be restrained by the seat belt while traveling in my car. If we tried to do that, he would be screaming and crying and in the end we could not stand it and let him off the belt. He prefers to seat on his mother's lap while I am driving and there is nothing much that we can do. we know that this is dangerous.
So, do you have any advice on how to handle such situation? How do you make a toddler seat in a special chair made for him and how do we get him to wear a safety belt?
Cheers!
1 person likes this
@savypat (20216)
• United States
21 Dec 08
If you were traveling in the US you would have to put him strapped in his chair. It's been my experience that is you are having a temper problem you must just stick to your decision. In this case it's a matter of safety also. He really will not keep it up to long and so what if he does scream, at least he'll be safe. Of course if you can work it you could just leave him at home, because he doesn't behave. That won't last long, kids are smart and he'll find he'd rather go then stay home.
Good Luck, Toddlers are really tough.
@rjbass (1422)
• United States
14 Dec 08
Thank you for posting this. I am an avid traveler with my young children and these are some great tips. Just being aware of your surroundings at all times will also help keep them safe. And as you state, there will be a lot less stress if you take these precautions.
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