Toddler Safety Tips for Summer Travel

Summer is nearly here and soon you’ll be making vacation plans and looking for ways

to enjoy some relaxation and family time while travelling with your toddler. If you’re a

parent, you know it’s not always easy travelling with small children and whether you

are going on a car or plane trip, there are certain safety measures you have to take.

As you take road trips,

navigate airports, visit

tourist destinations and

find your way around

new places, your toddler

is at risk of getting lost,

hurt or overtired. But,

there are lots of things

you can do to make sure

your little one stays safe

and has a fun summer

vacation.

The key to making travelling fun and safe for everyone is to plan ahead. When you are

fully prepared and have everything you’ll need and are ready for anything, your trip

will be much more fun and stress free.

Bring Safety Tools

Don’t just pack clothes and diapers for your trip; bring safety tools too. This probably

sounds like a big deal and a hard process, but it doesn’t need to be. First, think about

the type of travelling you’ll be doing. For example, if you are going on a car trip, you’ll

need a sturdy, comfortable car seat and maybe even safety mirrors. On the other hand,

if you’re travelling by plane, you may consider bringing children’s motion sickness

medications.

Keep in mind that some things that you don’t consider safety tools will help keep your

toddler safe while you’re out and about. For example, bright clothes can make it easy to

spot your little one and sturdy shoes make it easy for him to explore your destination.

Pack for Emergencies

One of the easiest ways to make travelling stress free is to pack for emergencies. This

way no matter what comes up, whether it is a potty-training accident or a scraped knee,

you will be prepared.

If you are taking a road trip, always travel with a first aid kit. It’s also a good idea to

bring extra blankets and water bottles, just in case you experience car problems in a

remote area. No matter how you are travelling, pack things like bandages, children’s

pain medications, hand warmers, tweezers, tissues, cotton swabs, lip moisturiser, lotion,

wet wipes and anything else you might need.

But, not all emergencies with toddlers are medical emergencies. Travelling with a

favourite blanket, plenty of snacks, an easily accessible change of clothes and quiet toys

for entertainment can make the trip easier.

Plan for the Destination

As you pack and plan your trip, plan around the destination. Think about special safety

considerations you need to take and then pack accordingly. For example, if you are

staying in a hotel or at a friend’s house with stairs, pack a safety gate. If you plan to do a

lot of walking, bring a stroller to make it easy on your toddler.

If you’re spending a day at the beach or will have a swimming pool at your hotel, bring

a children’s life jacket and lots of sunscreen. Other things you should consider taking,

depending on where you are headed, include:

• Life Jacket

• Sunscreen

• Stroller

• Sunhat

• Baby Carrier

• Outlet Covers

• Portable Crib

• Play Pen

• Safety Gate

• Extra Shoes

• Warm Sleepwear

• Jacket or Coat

The specific things you bring with you will depend on where you are going and how

old your toddler is. Consider the things you use at home and what you’ll also need on

the road. Then, think about where you will be and what kinds of special safety

precautions the destination will require.

Teach Basic Safety Tips

One of the most valuable things you can teach your child is basic safety tips. When you

travel, you want your child to understand how to stay safe and you want the peace of

mind that comes with knowing that you’ve prepared your child for some dangerous

situations.

Stranger Danger

First, teach your child never to speak to strangers. Start by teaching her that a stranger

is a person she doesn’t know and then explain that it can be dangerous to talk to a

stranger. It’s also vital that you teach her never to go anywhere with a stranger.

When Lost, Hug a Tree

It’s scary for everyone when your child is lost, even if he’s just around the corner and

you can’t see him. Teach your toddler from a young age that if he is lost, he should sit

down in a safe place and then stay put until you find him. If both you and your toddler

wander around looking for each other, chances are you’ll keep missing each other.

Don’t Leave Mum’s Sight

Prevent your toddler from getting lost in the first place by teaching her never to leave

your sight. Explain that she needs to stay by your side wherever you go, which will

make it much easier to keep an eye on her and keep her safe.

Hold Hands when Travelling

One of the easiest ways to keep your

toddler safe while you’re site seeing

and travelling is to hold his hand.

Teach him to hold hands as you walk

around, board planes and take rest

stops along the way.

Memorise Family Names

Of course, your child knows you as “mum” or “dad,” but teach her your first and last

names so if she is ever lost, someone can help her find you. For example, if she gets lost

in an airport, an employee can page you if your child can tell him your first and last

name.

When you teach your child some basic safety skills you can rest assured that he will

know what to do if something goes wrong and even in an emergency, he’ll stay safe.

Travelling with a toddler can be challenging, but with these tips it can be easier and less

stressful. When you know that your entire family is safe and that you are prepared for

anything, you can sit back, relax and enjoy your vacation.

If you’d like to read more on parenting ideas from Lindam then please visit the Lindam

website – www.lindam.com and if you’d like to see the safety accessories available visit

- http://www.lindam.com/range/safety-accessories/safety-accessories.html