How to keep your kids safe on vacation?
Photo by Limor Zellermayer on Unsplash
Family trips are a great way to create lasting memories. The quality time that you spend on a vacation is unlike any other; you and your kids will be able to laugh and relax in a way that you just cannot always at home. Through all the fun, though, you must make sure that your children are safe. There are always safety concerns about kids, but it can become especially important when they are away from home and in an unfamiliar environment. If you are looking for ways to keep your children safe while still having fun, consider these five tips.
Choose a kid-friendly destination
Some vacations are more child-friendly than others. This does not mean that you have to go to a theme park, but you can choose a trip that allows your kids to participate in age-appropriate activities. For example, a Mediterranean cruise ship might have a kid’s lounge where your child will be supervised while you lounge at the pool. The whole family will be together on the ship but are all free to do their own thing. This helps your child feel like he or she has some freedom while still knowing they are safe the entire time.
Set ground rules
Before setting off on any family trip, you need to set some ground rules with your kids. This is especially important for younger kids who may not know not to wander off. You should give instructions on your expectations for the family to stay together. You should let your children know if you will allow them to do independent activities or if you expect the family to stick together. When everyone is on the same page, it makes the trip safer and less stressful for everyone involved.
Use the buddy system
If you have more than one child, you can use the buddy system to keep everyone safe. With this, you assign a partner to each child and the partners are responsible for keeping up with each other. They should do all activities together and should not separate. Safety in numbers is a real thing, and when your kids are looking out for each other, you have less to worry about. This tip can be especially helpful if you have older children who can help keep an eye on the younger ones while still enjoying the trip.
Memorize important information
Your children should know your full name, phone number, home address, and other essential information in case they are lost. While older children should know this, it is important to teach it to young kids or to give them a piece of paper with it on it. On the other hand, you should know what your children are wearing each day so that you can describe them if they are separated from you. If you really want to be organized, you can pack color coordinating outfits so that you can easily remember what color everyone is wearing.
Have a safe meeting place
When you arrive at your destination, your family should designate a safe meeting place. This will be the spot that you will immediately go to if your child is missing. Your child should know to go here if they cannot find a member of the family. This keeps him or her from wandering around and getting even more lost. It also gives you a starting point of where to look for him or her. Be sure that you pick a spot in a public area that is easy to find.
Going on vacation with the whole family can be a lot of fun, but it is important to be safe. Children must understand the importance of staying together and doing independent activities responsibly. When the whole family agrees to a vacation safety plan, the trip can be much more enjoyable. If you are planning your next excursion, consider these tips for doing it safely with your kids.