Keeping Your Toddler Safe On Vacation

 

Photo by Derek Thomson on Unsplash

Vacations are exciting but traveling with kids can give you a lot more to think about, especially when they are very small. Safety is a priority, so here are some things to take into account when traveling with toddlers. 

Be prepared

Think about what you’re going to be doing on your vacation and pack accordingly. For example, if you’re going to a hot climate, ensure that you have a sun hat and high factor SPF. If you’re planning on going to any festivals or musical events, the sound can be very damaging to little ears, and in order to follow good hearing loss prevention advice, you should pack some ear defenders. 

If you are going to be traveling by taxi, make sure you have a suitable shield safety seat with you. 

Book a child-friendly room

When you’re staying somewhere unfamiliar, there could be any number of hazards you’re not aware of. Take some of the worries out of it by booking a child-friendly room or apartment. They should have things like baby gates, safety blinds, and child locks on the windows. Any pools should be protected by a fence and hot tubs come with a secure cover.  All tall furniture should be anchored to the wall so that it cannot be pulled over by a climbing child. 

Be germ conscious 

Poor hygiene and cleaning in hotels and restaurants can make you quite ill. Take some antibacterial wipes with you and wipe down the surfaces in your hotel room when you get there. Pay particular attention to things like door handles, light switches, and remote controls. These are some of the most common places for bacteria to be found. Take the wipes with you when you go out and wipe down any high chairs and cutlery for your child. 

Practice sun safety

Children’s skin is very sensitive and can burn easily in the sun. When in a hot country, try and stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day (usually between 10 am-2 pm). Try and stay in shaded areas where possible and if your child is in a stroller, don’t cover it with anything in an attempt to keep the sun out. Studies have shown that covering a stroller or care seat can cause the temperature to rise rapidly to dangerous levels. 

Also, use an SPF of 50+ on children’s skin at all times and reapply it often. 

Track their location

Kids have a tendency to try and wander off if you take your eyes off them for a second. In case they do, have your name and cell phone details kept somewhere about their clothing. 

You can also use GPS tracking technology to track your child on your phone should you need to. 

Final thoughts

It can feel like there is a lot to think about when you’re traveling with young children, but they can following some simple advice and plan in advance to help you to keep you and your family safe. Then all you have to do is enjoy your vacation.