Keep kids safe during holiday travels
When families travel during the holidays, they must contend with crowds, traffic and unfamiliar surroundings. But childrens safety should always come first, a leading pediatricians group says. When taking a train or airplane, it may seem inconvenient to have to worry about car safety seats. But the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents make sure their children ride in an age-appropriate car seat or booster seat. Older children who no longer require car seats should always wear a seat belt, the group noted.
If its cold outside, children should avoid wearing bulky snowsuits or coats in their car seats. Instead, opt for a thinner coat and provide kids with a blanket to cover their lap once they are buckled in.
Children arent the only ones who need to wear seat belts, the AAP adds. Adults should set a good example and wear a safety belt, too. Drivers should also never get behind the wheel if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the group stressed.
Once you get your family to where youre going, dont assume the homes of friends or relatives are childproofed. Be aware of potential risks (such as cleaners and medications) lurking behind unlocked cabinets and in unattended purses, the AAP said.
Laundry rooms may also have cleaning products or detergent pods left out in an area accessible to children. Stairways and hot radiators can also pose risks to children while they are staying in an unfamiliar place, the group warned.
Making a laminated list of key phone numbers, such as the police and fire departments, the pediatrician and the national Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) is also important. The AAP recommends keeping this list handy and providing it to babysitters or relatives who may be supervising children.
Adults often complain about the stress of holiday travel, but its important to remember that children are also not immune to anxiety. The AAP encourages families to stick to their normal routines and sleep schedules to help minimize childrens stress and maximize their fun during the holiday season.
This is probably everyones number one fear, including mine. When we travel, we have rules to minimize the chance our kids get lost, and we have a strategy in place in case, god forbid, they do. Preparation is key.
When were out and about, we assign one parent to one kid, so you have only that kid to think about. If you dont have a one-to-one ratio of parents to kids, then do the next best thing, such as: you take Jane, Ill take Kate and Tom.
If its busy, we hold our kids hands (sometimes, for dear life, as we pull them away from scooters driving haphazardly on sidewalks). For those under three, I pick them up and pop them into a carrier.
For our son, who is old enough, we attach contact information and instruct him on what to do with it. The information includes the address of where were staying in the local language, along with a map if needed, the hotels phone number, and/or our phone numbers. In Chiang Mai, when our son was seven, we had him carry such information along with enough money to catch a tuk-tuk back to the hotel if he got separated from us. Our son has an adventurous spirit, however, and loved waving down tuk-tuks and negotiating prices with drivers. It would work for him, but may not for your child, in which case see below.
For the little ones, although they may carry your phone number, you will likely have to rely on strangers to help them make use of it. One parent writes his phone number on his childs body with a sharpie. Good idea! And this same parent keeps a picture of his child on his phone to show others in case. Another good idea!
HealthDay
