Soon the warmer, longer days of spring will be upon us, and many families have big plans for travel, whether to ski resorts or sunny climates. Spring break can be a memorable time to reconnect with your children, but with a little planning you can prevent serious injuries which could overshadow the fun.
Regardless of the destination, even if the kids are staying home with a babysitter, sun safety should be reinforced. As the days grow longer, that means more sunlight and risk for sunburn, in light-skinned kids especially. Sunburn can be a big issue on the slopes as well as at the beach, so be sure to take proper precautions. Besides the typical sunscreen, choose a lip balm with SPF of 15 or higher to protect against chapping and windburn as well.
Parents should remember that car seat laws vary by state, and travelers must comply with the local laws, even if different than those where you live. Many states require booster seats until children reach 57 inches tall, 12 years or 80 pounds, whichever comes first. To be safest, younger children should stay in a car seat with a five-point harness until BOTH four years old AND 40 pounds.
If flying with children, a big issue is boredom and disrupting other passengers, especially if the children are very young. It helps to try and have snacks in the carry-on and feed babies during takeoff and landing to prevent crying and fear. But airports and planes also pose a risk of spreading infections, so frequent hand washing and use of waterless sanitizers is a good idea, even though we tend to think that by Spring Break illnesses will be winding down. (They won’t, probably.)
Anyone spending time around water, whether at the beach or in the hotel pool, should bear in mind that children up to about 7 years old are still unreliable with their swimming ability and may panic in a crisis. Really no child should be left unattended at the beach or a pool, no matter what the age or skill level, because they often make poor choices when in unfamiliar settings. Pools and beaches with lifeguards are clearly safer, but some beaches in Florida are notorious for riptides, particularly in the spring months. NEVER enter the surf when the red flags are flying, even just to wade. There are cases of drowning in this situation every year along the Florida panhandle, many involving adults.
Of course, never forget the basics: in the excitement of a vacation, children can easily be derailed from their usual sleep and eating schedules, so try to keep them on track. This can be an important protective mechanism against illness, dehydration or injury from fatigue.
Most importantly, remember to spend time being with your children and enjoying the craziness that makes them so special and unique! Have fun and try not to stress out too much about the details!