June 15, 2010
School is out for summer and we are all ready to get out of town, blow off a little steam and relax with our families at destinations far and wide. In order to ensure a safe trip, InstantAmber suggests the following safety tips while traveling with your children:
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Before you leave, be sure to update your children’s profiles on InstantAmber and upload current high-resolution photographs. Should your child go missing during your trip, your child’s information will be available to law enforcement officials from anywhere at anytime.
If you are traveling by plane, make sure you allow plenty of time at the airport for baggage check-in and security. Many airlines are reducing airline schedules and flying fuller flights, so lines are long. Getting through security with small children can be time-consuming and aggravating. You will have to put all of your child’s belongings through the X-ray machine, including strollers and car seats. You will be allowed to carry on baby formula, juices, food and breast milk in “reasonable quantities” exceeding the 3.4 ounce standard limitation, but you will have to declare it and have in inspected. Allow extra time for these contingencies.
Although many airlines allow lap children under the age of two, the Federal Aviation Administration recommends that all children be secured in their own seat in an approved child restraint system appropriate for their age and weight. If you are unable to buy your child his or her own seat, attempt to select a flight that is likely to have empty seats. Many airlines allow passengers to occupy unused seats. If your child has a chronic medical condition or has recently had an ear infection or surgery, consult your pediatrician before flying.
If you are traveling internationally, your child’s vaccinations should be up to date, and you should also determine if you need any additional inoculations. Check the Center for Disease Control website for any travel health warnings you should know about before you leave. You should also consider whether or not cribs meeting current safety standards will be available once you get there. Finally, register your travel plans with the State Department (https://travelregistration.state.gov) so they can better assist you if you have a crisis while you are there. Check the U.S. Department of State website for additional tips on travel abroad.
Traveling by car with children has become easier with the advent of built-in DVD players, iPods, and hand-held electronic games, but we still need to pay attention to standard safety rules of the car: everyone must wear a seat belt or be in an age-appropriate car seat. Until your child is about 4’9” tall (usually between 8 and 12 years of age) he must be in a booster or car seat. Your pre-teen may think he or she is big enough to sit in the front seat, but it is not recommended until age 13.
There is always the temptation to allow a child to unbelt quickly when they want to grab a drink from the back or get another game to play. It takes only a split second to get into an accident, and that quick drink is not going to be worth it should your child get injured while momentarily unbuckled. Stop frequently to prevent the “wiggles” and allow your children to get regrouped and refreshed.
Do not leave your child unattended in a car even for a minute. Temperatures inside a car can reach life-threatening levels even on relatively mild days (~70 degrees) in a very short period of time. Lowering the windows does not slow the heating process to any significant degree.
Vacations are an exciting and highly anticipated summer event. With a little extra forethought, you can provide a safer and happier experience for your children.
Sources:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/travelsafetytips.cfm
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/116/1/e109
