It’s the weekend, you have had an exhausting week working and taking care of the kids. You need some time to destress and relax, so you decide you want to go to the beach. There is only one problem: you cannot find anyone to take care of the kids. So you decide to bring your children to the beach. You are so tired from the week that you forget to use a rear-facing car seat for your young child. The first corner you take a car comes out of nowhere and t-bones you. Not only is your car totaled, but your kids (especially your younger child without the car seat) are severely injured. Without a first aid kit on hand, you are unable to help one of your children with a deep cut. The ambulance takes a half hour to get to the crash.
While this may seem morbid, realizing that an event like this can happen (and knowing how to prepare for it) can save you and your family’s lives. Whether you are a full-time mom or a mom with a job, here are four essential travel tips you should know to ensure child safety:
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Tip 1 — Plan Ahead for Safety
When planning a trip with kids it is important to do proper research on the destination you are traveling to. If you are going to a beach, make sure to bring sunscreen, an umbrella, and plenty of water for your family to be properly hydrated in the heat. If you are going to an amusement park, make sure to bring a stroller to protect your children from foot blisters if walking long distances.
Tip 2 — Secure Children Properly
Proper use of car seats and seat belts will ensure you and your family’s safety on car ride to your destination. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13.” This being the case, the NHTSA strongly advises a rear-facing car seat for children from birth to 12 months old, a front-facing car seat for ages 1 to 3, a booster seat for ages 4 to 7, and a seat belt for those aged 8 and older.
Tip 3 — Pay Attention to Your Kids
Keeping an eye on your children can be the difference between life and death. This is especially true at water parks. The CDC reports that drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4. Whether being present with your child at all times (some parents use backpacks with leashes), having a buddy system, establishing meeting points, or doing frequent headcounts, always make sure to stay engaged and attentive to where and what your child is doing.
Tip 4 — Know How to Deal with an Emergency
Now that we know how to prevent injuries from occurring in the first place, what do we do if an accident or injury does happen? Of course, call 911 if a serious injury occurs and try to keep calm if possible. Make sure to always have a first aid kit on hand — if you are at a location far away from a town or a city, it may take longer for emergency services to get to you. Here are some items the CDC recommends you to have in your first aid kit:
- A first aid guide
- 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
- 5 antibiotic ointment packets
- 5 antiseptic wipe packets
- 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
- 1 emergency blanket