Top Tips for Safe Travels

Nothing says summer like a vacation. Whether you are driving to the beach, flying to Grandma’s house, or touring nearby sites, there are certain things to keep in mind in creating a safe experience for your youngest travelers. It’s about taking some simple steps in preparing for your trip so you can relax and enjoy your final destination.

 

Preparing for Travel

Before leaving home, discuss travel rules and emergency contact information with older children.
If your travels include an extended stay at the home of a friend or relative, discuss the importance of creating a safe environment for your children with your host. Provide advice about installing safety devices in the home, such as outlet covers, safety gates, portable monitors, cabinet locks and a self-closing and self-latching gate around home swimming pools to prevent injuries during your stay.
Memorize the poison control hotline number: 800-222-1222. This toll-free number will connect you from anywhere in the United States to the local poison control center.

 

In a Car

• Never leave a child alone in the car, even if it’s just to run a quick errand, and always lock unattended vehicles.  
• Plan to travel with your child’s car safety seat. You will need it to and from the airport and when you arrive at your destination. Do not rent a car safety seat as you will have little or no knowledge of its past crash history.  
• Before hitting the road, secure all loose items in the car that may become projectiles during a sudden stop or crash.
• Curious kids love to touch anything they can get their hands on. Engage child safety locks while the vehicle is in motion.
• Driving and childcare cannot occur at the same time. Should your baby need attention pull over and stop the car first, then care for your baby.

On a Plane

• Holding a child on an adult’s lap is not the safest option. Whenever possible, buy a child his or her own seat to ensure an approved car seat can be used. Most airlines offer a discount for children under the age of 2.
• Infants and toddlers on airplanes are safest in a car seat with a harness. A child who rides in a car seat on the ground should ride in that car seat on a plane. Make sure your child’s car seat is labeled 'certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.' However, when purchasing the ticket, keep in mind that car seats are not allowed in exit rows and must be installed at a window seat.
• Children who have outgrown car seats should sit directly on the airplane seat and, like all passengers, keep the lap belt buckled across their thighs or hips. Booster seats are not allowed on airplanes, because they require shoulder belts and airplane seats have only lap belts.

At a Hotel

• The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a safety-approved crib with a firm mattress and a well-fitting sheet. Cradles and bassinets may be used, but choose those that are certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) for safety. Put your baby to sleep on his/her back, facing up.
• Bring your own folding playpen, instead of relying on borrowed cribs. If you must use a hotel’s crib, inspect it carefully for broken or missing parts and look up the model on www.Recalls.gov to make sure it isn’t subject to any safety notices.
• Do not place pillows, soft bedding, toys or anything in your baby’s crib.
• Babies should never share a bed with a sibling or parent(s) or sleep on couches, chairs, regular beds or any other soft surfaces.

 

 

 

Drowning is the Leading Cause of Accidental Death Among Children Ages 1- 4

Safe Kids Reminds Parents to Keep Watchful Eye on Children around Water

Nearly 750 children ages 14 and under died in 2007 in the U.S. due to an unintentional drowning. In addition, in 2009 there was an estimated 5,016 children injured due to a near drowning incident. Since Memorial Day, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that there have been 48 child drownings and 75 near-drownings in pools and spas alone in 35 states and territories as reported by the media.

“A child in or near water can get into trouble in a matter of seconds,” said Meri-K Appy, president of Safe Kids USA. “Safe Kids promotes ‘Lock, Look, and Learn,’ to help remind parents and caregivers that layers of protection help keep children safe, such as using barriers, fences, and anti-entrapment devices for home pools and spas, actively supervising your children, learning how to swim and enrolling your children in swimming, and knowing basic water rescue skills, such as CPR.”

Although 90 percent of parents say they supervise their children while swimming, many acknowledge that they engage in other distracting activities at the same time – talking, eating, reading or taking care of another child. In fact, a parent or caregiver claimed to be supervising the child in nearly 9 out of 10 drowning-related deaths.

While there is no substitute for active supervision, learning how to swim is an important skill for both parents and children to learn. In fact, new studies indicate that teaching children to swim between the ages of 6 and 12 months old is a great way to build their confidence in the water while at the same time teaching them water safety skills. These lessons are literally saving lives, your child will learn about water safety skills and what they should do if they fall in the pool.

In the summer months, between May and August, drowning deaths among children increase 89 percent over the rest of the year. And, home swimming pools are the most common site for a drowning to occur with a child less than 5 years of age.

To help keep your kids safe in or around the water, Safe Kids recommends these Lock, Look, and Learn reminders for parents.

Lock
If you have a pool or spa, or if your child visits a home that has a pool or spa, it should be surrounded on all four sides by a fence at least 4-feet high with self-closing and self-latching gates. Studies estimate that this type of isolation fencing could prevent 50 to 90 percent of child drownings in residential pools.

Make sure all pools and spas have compliant anti-entrapment drain covers and back up devices to ensure safer places for children to swim.

When not in use, all pools, including portable inflatable pools and spas, should be covered and secured. Ladders to above ground pools and spas should be locked or removed.

Look

Always actively supervise children in and around water. Designate someone to be the “Water Watcher” – a responsible adult who is in charge of watching children while they are in or near water. The Water Watcher should not be distracted by phone calls, text messages, reading or talking to others. Caregivers can work as a team, taking turns with another adult to stay alert to watch the children.

Watch children even if they know how to swim – knowing how to swim does not prevent drowning.

If a child is missing, check the water first.

Learn
Know how to swim and enroll your kids in swimming lessons.

Learn CPR and know how to use rescue equipment – these are important skills to know if there is an emergency.

Learn how to choose the right life jacket depending on the water activity, your child’s size, and weight. Don’t rely on inflatable swimming toys such as “water wings” and noodles; these toys should never be used in place of U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets. Children who can’t swim well or can’t swim at all should be within your arm’s reach.

Teach children water safety rules such as never swim alone, always wear a life jacket while boating, and never swim or play near pool or spa drains.


Related Links

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06/28/11 - The U.S. Fire Administration and Safe Kids USA Encourage Everyone To Practice Fire Safety During Independence Day Celebrations

06/16/11 - Safe Kids and General Motors Foundation Mark 15th Anniversary of Child Passenger Safety Partnership
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© 2009 Safe Kids Worldwide

Summer Safety

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