Spring Break is one of the most exciting times of the year, commonly associated with student travel and vibrant beach parties for young people to enjoy, but it’s also a fabulous time to get away as a family, with parents and kids packing up the car and setting off for a fun road trip or flying over to the other side of the country to make magical memories together.
Statistics show that countless people choose to travel during the spring, finally breaking away from the snowy and frosty months of winter and enjoying the rising levels of sunshine and warmth in popular destinations like Orlando in Florida and Los Angeles in California. But wherever you choose to go, it’s important to stay safe.
Every parent knows about those pre-travel nerves and doubts that start seeping in before a big vacation, and it’s true that there are plenty of dangers and worries to keep in mind when you’re traveling with kids and want to keep everyone safe. To help out, here are some useful tips for having the happiest spring vacation.
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Get Some Insurance
We all like to hope that our trips and travels will go smoothly and seamlessly, without any stressful incidents or major worries to deal with, but as so many people learn every year, it’s much better to be safe than sorry. Getting some travel insurance before you go will protect you if any accidents or other issues like flight cancellations happen, as well as providing you with some much-needed peace of mind.
Supervise Kids at All Times
When you’re traveling with children, constant supervision is an absolute must, and this is especially important during the Spring Break period when popular attractions and locations like beaches and parks can be extremely busy. With so many people around, it’s easy to lose sight of your little ones, so do whatever you need to do to keep them close by at all times.
Choose Your Destination with Care
Before you head off on a family spring vacation, take some time to really think about where you want to do, taking various factors into account. Don’t forget that the classic hotspots like Orlando and LA are going to be filled up with lots of students and young travelers, leading to long lines for attractions, overly busy beaches, and lots of traffic on the roads too. Consider choosing somewhere a little quieter and ‘off the beaten path’ instead.
Pay Attention while Packing
Packing is usually regarded as one of the most boring chores before heading off on a fun vacation, and few people really enjoying going through checklists and trying to neatly fold all of their clothes to fit snugly in their suitcase. However, it’s an important part of the process, and you don’t want to get to your destination and find that you forgot something important. Make your own checklist and pack the key items first like medications, first aid kits, insurance papers, passports, and so on.
Be Safe around Water
The statistics regarding young children drowning in pools or at the beach make for harrowing reading, reminding us all of the real risks and dangers associated with these fun-filled places. Drowning is actually a leading cause of death in youngsters, so it needs to be taken seriously. If you’re hanging out by a pool or heading to the beach, make sure that every child is accompanied at all times and given adequate safety gear before getting in the water.
Drive Safely
A lot of people choose to stay in the US for their spring vacations, and many also choose to head off on road trips or drive to their chosen destinations, as opposed to flying or relying on other forms of transport. If you choose to do the same, make sure to stay safe. Know the rules of the road in the states you’re visiting, use signals and mirrors, stick to the speed limits, and don’t let road rage get the best of you.
Prepare a First Aid Kit
At home, you’ve probably got all you need to handle those little accidents like cuts and scrapes that children can often get from playing around in the backyard or falling over at school. On your travels, however, those items aren’t always as accessible, so you should always remember to pack a first aid kit before you go, adding band-aids, bandages, disinfectants, and some basic medications for things like pain relief too.
Prepare for the Worst
One of the worst possible scenarios for any parent while on vacation is losing your kids among the crowd of people and not being able to track them down. This can, unfortunately, happen quite often, especially in busy places like beaches and theme parks. A good way to prepare for such an emergency is to talk with your family when you arrive somewhere new and decide on an ’emergency meeting point’ that everyone should go to if they get lost.
Keep an Eye on the Weather
The weather in spring is usually a lot better than in winter, but it can be quite unpredictable at times. You can’t quite be sure about things like temperatures, sunshine levels, rainfall, and so on, but by keeping an eye on the weather forecasts, you’ll be able to pack appropriate attire and prepare for every eventuality. Don’t forget that even in spring, the sun’s UV rays can pose a real risk to your children’s health, so pack some sunscreen too if you’re heading to a sunny location.
Conclusion
Family vacations are supposed to be fun, magical, and memorable for all the right reasons, but without proper preparation, they can quickly go wrong. Make sure you’re ready to have the safest and best possible time by keeping these tips in mind as you plan your next trip. Don’t forget to always keep your kids supervised, choose your destinations with care, and plan ahead for every eventuality to help everybody stay safe.
