Traveling SAFE With Children
February 23rd, 2008
Some of my fondest childhood memories are of family vacations. Now that I am a parent myself, I have discovered all of the "behind the scene" work that goes into getting a family ready to make these cherished memories.
- sunscreen, check
- swimsuits, check
- airline tickets, check
- digital pictures of the children before we leave the house? What?
When you are traveling with children, not only do you have to think about packing everything the children might need once you get to your destination, but you also need to think about their SAFETY while traveling to this destination. Being prepared is the key to a SAFE and happy vacation.
If something happened to your child, right now, do you have a current photo of your child that you could give authorities? Being at home that might not be a difficult thing to do, but imagine yourself in an airport, would you have a current picture of your child? Most of us would have to sadly say, no.
Thank goodness for digital cameras and home printers! Before you leave the house for your next family vacation, snap a picture of each child. Print these pictures and take them with you. Now, are you thinking, a bit over the top? But just think about it. In a busy airport, if your child wandered off, you now have a current photo of your child, in-hand, and you don’t have to remember what the child was wearing, it’s right there in the photo! Sadly, it only takes minutes for predators to strike. At a moment when time is so very important and emotions are running high this photo will be paramount in the recovery of your child.
Another great tip for families traveling together is this; wear the same color shirts. I know this is going to be a hard one to pull off with teenagers, but it’s well worth the arguments. In a busy airport, train station or amusement park your family is much easier to locate if they are all wearing a fluorescent PINK t-shirt! Okay, maybe not pink, but you get the idea.
One last tip, don’t print your childs’ name on their clothing. If your childs’ name is on the outside of their clothing, no one is a stranger now, because they can call your child by his/her own name. If your child becomes separated from you it would be very easy for a stranger to take advantage of this situation.
Here’s wishing you a SAFE and wonderful vacation full of memories that your family will cherish for years to come!
Cindy Coughenour, "The Personal Safety Coach" and founder of Fearless and Female publishes a FREE, monthly personal safety newsletter. Please visit http://www.fearlessandfemale.com/id12.html to receive practical personal safety tips that could someday save your life!
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