Summer is the perfect time to head off on vacation, with warm temperatures and sunny skies providing the idyllic conditions for beach games, nature strolls, road trips, and more. It's no surprise that around half of Americans decide to go away for the summer, and you can make lots of happy memories if you happen to be going away with your children, but you have to be careful.
As well as being a great time for getaways, summer also comes with some unique risks that need to be considered and countered effectively to keep your kids totally safe and ensure that everyone has the best possible time from the first second of the vacation to the last. With that in mind, here are our top ten tips for planning a safe summer vacation as a family.
Comfortable Clothing
When preparing your bags and cases for your trip, think carefully about the clothes you're taking and try to pack attire in accordance with the activities you've got planned. If you're going to be spending a lot of time in the sun, remember to pack hats and sunglasses, and be sure to choose comfortable footwear for everyone.
Constant Supervision
If you're traveling with kids, the golden rule that every parent or guardian needs to know is to keep those little ones under constant supervision. Kids have a tendency to just up and vanish when you look away for a second, so be sure that you're holding their hands or keeping an eye on them at all times in order to avoid any issues.
Water Safety
If you plan on spending any time around a swimming pool or at the beach, splashing around in the water, be sure that your kids understand the importance of staying away from deep waters, using flotation aids if needed, and always staying close to mom and dad. There are some terrible statistics regarding young children drowning in swimming pools, so it really can save lives by teaching kids about staying safe any time they get in the water.
Check The Forecast
Even though we all hope for non-stop sunshine and lovely warm temperatures during the summer months, the weather can be a little unpredictable at times. You don't want to find yourself caught in a storm wearing T-shirts, shorts, and sandals without any protection. Be sure to keep an eye on the forecast and check up on any storm alerts or warnings in your area, especially if you're visiting a state or location that is prone to storms, such as Florida.
Pack A First Aid Kit
This one is so important, and it can really make such a big difference to make up a first aid kit and carry it around with you at all times in your travel bag. Children of all ages can fall or have accidents, leading to cuts, bumps, bruises, or burns, and having a first aid kit on hand will allow you to deal with any issues immediately as they arise, rather than having to watch your little ones suffer while you rush around to the nearest pharmacy in search of some kind of treatment.
Sunscreen
It's so easy to forget about the importance of sunscreen and end up with nasty burns. Children's skin can be especially sensitive to UV rays, and forgetting sunscreen just once can lead to hours or even days of aching, red skin for you to deal with. Pack plenty of sunscreen and use it daily to reduce your risks of burning, irritated skin, and even skin cancer.
Get Insured
We all like to believe that our trips will go smoothly, without any incidents or undesirable issues occurring, but it's always better to be prepared for the worst, rather than simply hoping that everything will turn out fine and finding yourself in a sticky situation if things don't go quite according to plan. Getting some travel insurance can help you feel more relaxed and confident about your vacation, knowing that you're totally covered if any accidents happen.
Do Your Research
Before heading somewhere new, take the time to do some research on your chosen destination. The internet is a fabulous resource for learning more about different states, cities, regions, and countries. It can help you decide on a safe destination for your family vacation, as well as teaching you about crime rates, areas to avoid, the safest hotels to stay at, and the best times to visit if you'd like to avoid the crowds and make the most of your trip as well.
Safe Driving
With so many people heading out for summer vacations, the roads can get pretty busy and the chances of road rage and accidents also increase too. Don't be a part of the problem! Drive safely, keep your cool, pay attention to other road users around you, and even consider downloading some apps onto your smartphone to help you drive more safely too.
Decide On A Meeting Point
It's every parent's worst nightmare: you're in a crowded place with your family, you look away for a moment, and when you look back, your child has disappeared in the crowd. Sadly, this does happen to many families, and in busy locations like beaches and theme parks, it's surprisingly easy for little kids and even older kids to get lost and not be able to find their way back to their parents. Plan ahead by setting a meeting point that your kids should go to if they get lost.
Conclusion
Family vacations can be among the most magical and memorable moments of our lives, and you probably want to spend most of your pre-trip time thinking about all the places you want to visit, things you want to do, restaurants you want to check out, and more, but don't forget to spend some time on safety too. Just a little bit of preparation can make a massive difference to how your trip plays out, helping to keep you and your children totally safe.
