Summer Travel Safety: Keeping Kids Safe on the Road and During Air Travel

July marks UV Safety Month, and it’s about keeping you, your friends, and your family safe not just from the sun but from the summer months in general. A good tip when planning any summer vacation is to do your research to make sure the place is safe for little ones. Not every vacation destination is ideal for kids.

If you’re going overseas, take a close look at the crime rates and vaccination requirements. Once you have that ideal location picked out, there are still more ways to make sure your family is safe during travel.

Let’s start with those traveling by car to a domestic location. Always use a car seat for infants and young children. Infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, until they reach the manufacturer’s height or weight limits. After that, they should move to a forward-facing car seat with a harness.

Rental vehicles often offer a seat. Always check that it fits your child properly, is in good condition, and comes with instructions. Children who outgrow their harness seat should use a booster seat until the seat belt fits correctly, usually when they are around 4’9″ and age 8 to 12. Kids under 13 should always ride in the back seat, and rear-facing seats should never be placed in front of an airbag.

When traveling by plane, give yourself extra time at the airport when traveling with children, especially younger ones. Dress kids in layers that are easy to remove and also shoes for security screening. Children 12 and under usually don’t need to remove shoes.

Strollers are allowed through security and can be checked to make moving through the airport easier. Talk to children ahead of time about the screening process so they know bags go through an X-ray machine and will come back to them.

Remind kids that joking about threats is never acceptable and can cause serious delays. Whenever possible, use an FAA-approved car seat on the plane for proper restraint. Children over 40 pounds may use the seat belt. You can’t take booster seats on planes, but they usually can be checked. Bring snacks, toys, and comfort items. Help reduce ear pain during descent with nursing, bottles, gum, or drinks.

What about international travel? Before traveling internationally, check with your doctor to see if your child needs new vaccines or preventive medications. In areas where mosquito-borne diseases like malaria are a danger, bring mosquito protection.

To help reduce jet lag, adjust your child’s sleep schedule 2 to 3 days before departure. After getting there, encourage outdoor activity or time in bright daylight to help reset their body clock. Stay within arm’s reach of children near water or anywhere, really. Pools and beaches may not have lifeguards. Children should wear life jackets on boats.

Summer travel can be fun and safe. Planning and doing your research can make the trip one to remember.