One of a parent’s primary jobs is to keep his or her children safe at all times. This responsibility becomes a bit trickier, however, when traveling. Whether dealing with crowds, transportation issues, foreign cultures and languages or simply a fear of the unknown, travel can present a range of concerns for parents and children alike. Still, nothing helps widen a child’s life view and is more enriching than exposing them to the many wonders of the world through travel.
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Safety Kids // (C) 2010 Jani Bryson |
So, for advice on how to hit the road while still making sure the little ones remain safe, we turned to a true expert on family travel, Heather Killingbeck, director of trip and program development for Adventures by Disney. This tour operator takes families with children as young as age 4 to destinations all around the world, from China to Africa and beyond.
Here’s what Killingbeck suggested:
1. Pack Lightly. “Packing lightly makes travel so much less stressful, regardless of airline restrictions. It is far easier to keep track of a smaller number of items, and you’ll feel more secure having a quicker mental inventory of your key belongings.”
2. Be Aware of Safety Advisories. “Check out the U.S. Department of State Web sites for each country in order to be prepared and informed of any challenges. Make the research a family activity — if the children are of an appropriate age. It engages children early in the process of responsible travel preparations, and it’s also a great way to double-check that your documentation is in order. The more family discussions, the better. Find out if any vaccinations are required or recommended as well.”
3. Forget About Traveler’s Checks. “Don’t bother with traveler’s checks. That’s one more thing to worry about losing or getting stolen. ATMs are almost everywhere these days, and you’ll get the best exchange rate by using them while avoiding the hassle of ordering checks.”
4. Carry Small Bills. “Whether traveling with local currency or dollars, keep a good supply of bills in small denominations handy for tipping, buying a pack of gum in a cafe or if you just need to use the restroom. Nothing is a bigger target for pickpockets than to watch a tourist purchase a pack of gum with the equivalent of a $100 bill!”
5.Backpacks? Zippers Front! “Be careful with backpacks and waist packs. Teach your children to wear their packs in such a way that the entry points to the packs are not out of their view — like on their backs. This is especially true if the family is visiting crowded squares or large public areas.”
6.Donde Esta…? “Teach the family a few key words and phrases of your destination’s primary language. In the unlikely event that help is needed, every person in the family should be able to ask for help or the police or medical attention. Again, this could be a fun family project before leaving for an international trip.”
7. Travel With Friends, Like Disney. “Select your escorted tour carefully and look for operators who specialize in family travel. Adventures by Disney provides not only one, but two, highly trained Adventure Guides on each tour who can help direct a family to safe and comfortable sightseeing options during free time.
Parent Quotes
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“When we go to amusement parks, I write my cell phone number on the kids’ arms with a Sharpie. I also show them the uniform of employees and tell them to find someone dressed like that — preferably female — if they need to ask for help. I’m not above GPS-chipping them, but I’m waiting for better technology!”
— Jennifer Pentland, mother to Ethan, Cosmo, Otis and Buster
“We typically explain to our kids that, if they don’t stay close to Mommy or Daddy, they could get lost. They know that, if they leave our sight, we get very worried and scared, and knowing how it makes us feel helps them to understand why it is so important to stay close. ”
— Lisa Pretzinger Wedhoff, mother to Kaden, Rory, Pyper and Guinness
Poll Results
Do you have a plan if your children get lost on vacation?
63 percent - I always make sure my kids have a plan.
21 percent - We often discuss options beforehand.
10 percent - Sometimes, but I don’t stress about it.
6 percent - I never really worry about this.
