Travel Tips for Families

Travelling offers many challenges when it comes to safety.  If you follow the suggestions below, you will ensure you have a safe vacation, from the time you get to the airport to the time spent at your resort.  Always remember that being alert and using common sense is the key to safe travel.

• Never let your luggage out of your sight, even for a moment.  Smugglers love to put things in suitcases not related to themselves.
• Use a money belt for valuables, and keep money in at least two different places in case of theft (perhaps you carry some currency as well as your traveling companion, as a back-up).
• Never let your children out of your sight at airports, not to go to the bathroom alone or just ahead to a shop.  Once as we were traveling with our children, aged 10 and 11, they asked if they could run ahead to a store around the corner.  We luckily said no that airports could be dangerous, and as we rounded the corner a man was running towards us chased by three security officers, who tackled him, pinned him to the ground and handcuffed him in front of our eyes.  Our children looked on wide-eyed, and the point hit home.
• Always carry your passport and identification with you on your person or securely in your hand-luggage.  Remember, your checked-in suitcases could be lost.
• Never leave your camera or other video equipment on top of your luggage as you are just steps away.  Theft can happen too quickly.
• Make sure your backpacks are always securely zipped.  It is easy to reach into an open backpack from behind.

At the resort or hotel,

• Always keep your room door locked and with the security bolt on, even when you are in there.  Remember to check balcony or patio doors.
• There are extra security locks that can be purchased especially for traveling.  It is a good idea to invest in these (see our travel products marketplace.)
• Always use the room safe when provided, even in countries which you deem crime-free or safe.  Failing this, use the hotel front desk security safes to keep your valuables secure.

While swimming,

• Use a neck pouch or hip pouch to carry your room keys when at the beach.   Try not to leave your purse or hand-luggage unattended on the beach.  Swim one at a time, or ask a reliable traveling companion to watch your things while you swim.
• When swimming, be aware that the ocean is a living thing and not a swimming pool.  There are tides and undertows that you may not be used to in a swimming pool.  The depth can also change rapidly.
• Check the signs on the beach for safe swimming conditions – usually a red flag will warn you against unsafe swimming.
• With ocean swimming, check for sea urchins.  These are small spinney creatures that live in the ocean water rocks.  They can be extremely unpleasant if stepped on.  Also, try to avoid jellyfish as they can give a nasty sting.
• Try to swim only where there are lifeguards.
• Beware the sun – in tropical locations the sun is much stronger than what the average traveler is used to and can cause quite a sunburn to those who are not careful.  Use a good sun-block and stick to the shade as much as possible.  In Panama we got a sunburn even sitting under a grass hut all day from the glare off of the sand.
• Most hotels have pools that do not allow diving because of the depth of the water.  Adhere to the rules.
• It is also not a good idea to swim while drinking heavily.  Sober up before entering the water.

Food and water,

• Try to stick to bottled water at any location instead of drinking water from the local taps.  Avoid ice in your drinks at certain destinations.
• Try to stick to foods that you know will not upset your stomach as you travel.  It is not pleasant to have to look for a bathroom while traveling from your hotel to the airport on an hour long bus ride.
• Although it may be very tempting, avoid excessive amounts of fruit, such as papaya or avocado which tend to act as laxatives.
• When traveling it is wonderful to be able to discover new little out-of-the way places, but try to stick to known places for dining.  Sanitation in some back-street places may not be the best.
• An added tip if you travel a great deal may be to investigate the Twinrex vaccinations to avoid hepatitis.  Ask your doctor if this is right for you.

Of course, there are many other things the seasoned traveler looks out for instinctively when traveling, such as pick-pockets, rules and laws of the country you are visiting, etc.  It is important to be aware that you are not in your own country and the same rules and conditions do not apply.

Be smart, be aware and above all be careful…and your vacation will sure to be a pleasant experience.