Be Safe and Enjoy Your Summer Fun Even More!

Road trips with children are unpredictable. Some parents figure all they can do is take their chances when it comes to family vacations, but that is simply not true.

Here are helpful hints you can use to keep your children safe while on the road:

• Don't over-pack the back seat.
  Try to pack light when taking a car trip. Loose packages, luggage and other travel items may be dangerous if you stop abruptly. Packages placed in the back window not only obstruct your vision but can tumble down on your precious cargo - your children. If it can't fit in the trunk, you may not need it after all.
• Don't allow your children to go to play areas, restrooms, snack bar, etc., alone.
  Rest areas are a welcomed break for weary travelers, but they are potentially dangerous to unsupervised children. Stranger danger is not the only thing you need to be aware of. Make sure your tots wash their hands before eating a roadside snack. Inspect play areas for any broken bottles or equipment, and allow them to play only on things that are age-appropriate.
• Have a healthy respect for others' pets.
  Families often take their pets along on the trip. Young children may not be able to distinguish between other people's pets and their own. Prior to the trip teach your children what is okay and not okay to do around someone else's pet. Remind them about the "pet rules" when you see another person's pet. 
• There is nothing amusing about an infant on a roller coaster.
  Amusement parks are always a big hit on short family road trips. Some parents may think it's safe for their infant to ride a small roller coaster because he or she is strapped around the chest. However, the jarring motion created by the ride could cause problems similar to shaken-baby syndrome. Please know that such risk-taking amusement may result in an emergency room visit. 
• Take the proper records on your road trip.
  We hope you will never need to use any official records, but it's better to be safe than sorry. It is a good idea to put your records in a zip-lock plastic bag. Records to take include a copy of your child's birth certificate, social security card, record of immunizations, your back-up insurance cards (if yours are lost or stolen), and an up-to-date picture of your child. Check with your neighborhood precinct or community agency for other safety tips.
• Safety seats and more.
  In many states, the laws about child safety seats have changed considerably and are strictly enforced. You will want to check the local safety-seat laws of the communities you visit.