Make Your Summer Vacation Safe and Enjoyable

Life can be crazy but with proper preparation, your next vacation doesn't have to be. Here are tips for making your summer vacation safe and enjoyable for the entire family.

PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES

• At each new location visited, identify help centers or lost and found booths. Pick an emergency meeting spot in a prominent location. Study the map with your children so that they know the layout.
• Hold your child's hand while in large groups of people. Be alert! Don’t forget you are in a public place.
• Instruct children to stay in the area where they became lost; you will find them. Tell them to ask for help from an employee with a name badge or from another mom who has children.
• Older children should memorize the name and address of your hotel. For younger children, write your first name and cell phone number on a slip of paper. Put the paper in the child's pocket or fanny pack.
• Keep recent photographs of all children with you to speed up the search process if family members get separated.
• In the event of an emergency, stay calm.

SET RULES

• Give children visual boundaries so that you can keep them within eye sight.
• Each adult should pair up with one or two children.
• Never allow children to enter elevators or public restrooms alone.
• Children should never swim without an adult present.
• Keep the door to your hotel room locked. Only an adult should answer the door.
  

DRESS DISTINCTIVELY

• Children should wear bright, easily spotted clothing.
• Families can wear the same color shirts or matching hats. You will always know how to describe what your child is wearing if you are wearing the same thing!
• Do not put a child's name on the outside of his clothing. A stranger can call your child by name giving the child a false sense of security.
• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Choose wrinkle free, easily cared for clothing such as our T-shirts and cotton shorts.
  

HAVE FUN

• Get kids ready for the trip. Show them on a map where you’ll be going. Visit your destination on the internet before arriving.
• Pack fun, inexpensive toys or games as surprises for a long car trip or airplane journey.
• Provide each child with a disposable camera.
  

STAY HEALTHY

• Drink plenty of water. Children and elderly adults can become dehydrated quickly.
• Take frequent breaks. Even mom and dad benefit from snacks, rests and "down time."
• Assemble a first aid kit that will fit into a fanny pack. Be sure to include latex gloves, several sizes of bandages, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, tweezers, sunscreen, insect repellent, lip balm, a pain reliever, antacids, your health insurance card and any prescription medications that your family members take.