This is the perfect time of year to go on vacation with your children or grandchildren. The summer crowds have died down a bit, and the Florida weather is perfect. While you are thinking about where to take the grandkids or kids on vacation, there are some tips you need to keep in mind. Here are some vacation safety tips you need to know before you take your next trip with kids.
Pool and Water Safety
There is no better way to spend time with children than in the water. However, according to Stein Law, Florida drowning accident lawyers, 800 children in the United States die each year from drowning. Children can die in lakes, streams, oceans, or a pool. More children die in pools than in any other body of water. Therefore, you need to practice pool and water safety with your children or grandchildren. A great first step is to make sure the kids in your life have swimming lessons. Many organizations offer swimming lessons year-round, and the better your children or grandchildren swim, the less likely they are to drown. Also, you need to watch children or grandchildren in the water at all times because when children get into trouble in the water, it is nearly always silent.
Road Trip Safety Tips
Florida has more exciting road trip locations than nearly any other state. You can choose from screaming at Orlando theme parks, canoeing, and visiting manatees, or hanging out on any of the hundreds of Florida beaches the state has. Before you embark on the journey, have your car checked out by a mechanic to avoid blown tires, dead batteries, or –importantly–windshield wipers.
Your next step needs to be checking out the car seats your kids or grandkids use. If you have grandchildren that are infants, be sure their car seat is facing to the rear of the car. Children who are toddlers should be in convertible seats until they reach seven years old. Older children need to be in a booster seat until they reach 4 feet, 9 inches in height.
At Amusement Parks or Other Large Play Areas
If you are stopping at an amusement park, you need to keep these safety tips in mind.
First, be sure the kids or grandkids have snacks and water bottles. Many areas in the US are very hot and humid during the summer and early fall, and children can get easily dehydrated. Because children burn so much energy at parks, you need to keep snacks on hand as well. One of the most important safety tips at a park is to keep young children in your line of sight at all times. That can be not easy in a large park, so you may want to think about wearing matching t-shirts in bright colors to help you keep sight of your children or grandchildren constantly. If your children or grandchildren are older, you can make rules about traveling in groups and pick spots in the park to go when someone is lost. Older children have cellphones, so make use of them. Talk to your kids about finding a person to help them when lost, such as a mom with kids. The more you talk to your kids or grandkids about what to do at a park in case of emergency, the safer your family will be.
On a Boat
Many people think of boats or cruise ships for seniors, but many cruise lines are kid-friendly. If you are taking the kids and grandkids out on a boat with friends, everyone should wear a life jacket, even if they are able to swim. That’s because a boating accident can easily knock someone unconscious, which makes them unable to swim at all.
Also, you’ll want to talk to your children or grandchildren about boat safety before the trip begins, no matter how large or how small the boat is. Simple rules for boat safety include not running on the boat, wearing shoes on boats unless you are in the water, and avoiding ropes, masts, or poles while playing games. If you are on a large ship, be sure all of your kids know what to do in case of an emergency. For example, if an alarm sounds onboard, your kids or grandkids need to know where to go or how to find you. No matter where you decide to take your kids or grandkids, a little planning, and conversation with your loved ones can prevent a lot of future disasters. Don’t forget to pack a first aid kit, and then sit back, relax, and let the good memories begin.
