Covering your bases: Safety tips for international travel with young children

Staying safe is paramount when travelling overseas with young children, but the point of a vacation is to relax and enjoy some quality family time. So prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and let the good times roll!

1. Consider a child I.D. wristband printed with your cell phone number for busy airports or crowded destinations such as Disneyland. These are available from Mabel.ca or Lovablelabels.ca. For the more adventurous little ones, you might want to invest in an electronic child locator which beeps when they wander (rent one and try it out if you're not sure).

2. Stay safe in the air. Transport Canada recommends that children weighing less than 40 lbs (18 kg) be securely fastened in an appropriate child restraint system while travelling by plane. Even if your child is under the age of two, consider buying a separate seat for the child so that he can be safely buckled up during the flight. If this is not feasible try to select a flight that is likely to have empty seats. If the child has her own seat, there is a more convenient alternative now approved for use on WestJet, Air Canada and all US carriers — the Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES). This harness-style seat belt, available to buy or rent from littletraveller.ca, is designed for children aged 1 to 4 weighing 22 to 44 lbs (10-20 kg). CARES has the same safety rating as a car seat but fits in a little stuff sack. It takes a minute to install and, best of all, weighs only 1 lb. Whichever restraint system you choose, keep your child buckled up whenever possible.

3. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If travelling internationally, make sure your child is up to date on her vaccinations and check with her doctor if she needs any additional vaccines. Before you travel, ensure you have the necessary paperwork in order and have adequate travel insurance. Find out where the local hospital is. If your child, like mine, has allergies learn a few key phrases in the native language. For example, "mi hija tiene una alergia a los cacahuetes" is Spanish for “my daughter has a peanut allergy.” If your child has a medical condition that may become an issue during the flight, make a flight attendant or gate agent aware of that possibility before the flight.
Pack a family first-aid kit in your checked-in luggage and include any specific requirements for your destination (such as tropical strength insect repellant). MEC sells a wide range of kits. In your hand luggage pack a large Ziploc bag with any medications your child is on, plus some band-aids and travel-sized antihistamine, acetaminophen, oral re-hydration mix and antibiotic cream to tide you over in case of flight delays or lost luggage.

4. Locate potential hazards. When you arrive at your destination, take some time to baby proof your room. Especially if you are in a foreign country, but even at grandma's, carefully inspect it for exposed wiring, dangling cords, potential poisons, choking hazards and unsafe stairs or balcony railings. Be aware that cribs or playpens provided by hotels may not meet Canadian safety standards. If you have any doubt, ask for a replacement or consider other options.

5. Be careful what you consume. Contaminated food or water cause common infections in travellers and children are often the most vulnerable. Before you travel, find out whether local tap water is safe to drink. If not, always use bottled water to drink and brush your teeth in. Specify no ice in drinks and beware of uncooked food, including salads and fruit, that may have been washed in local water.

6. Take care in the sun. Regularly slather the whole family (except babies under 6 months) in SPF30+ when out and about in warm climates. Avoid sunstroke and heatstroke by limiting sun exposure to early morning and late afternoon. Dress children in loose cotton clothing and a hat and ensure plenty of fluids are available throughout the day.

7. And finally, don’t forget the holy grails of parenthood — Ziploc bags in every size available and baby wipes. Baby wipes come in handy for cleaning hands, highchairs, toilet seats and anything baby decides to spit up on. Stow a pack in every bag and keep a handy stash of Ziplocs with them.
Then sit back, cross your fingers and enjoy your travels, safe in the knowledge that you have your bases covered.

Some useful links:
Take extra precautions for children travelling alone. This site has some good advice: www.airsafe.com/kidsafe/kidsolo.htm
The ultimate source for airplane seating, in-flight amenities and airline information: www.seatguru.com

By Kara Turner
Kara is a mum and the owner of Little Traveller baby equipment rentals in Calgary. CARES airplane seat belts are available to rent or buy from Little Traveller. Kara can be reached at kara@littletraveller.ca / 403-242-4067 / www.LittleTraveller.ca