Holiday Traveling with Children
Traveling can be a fun adventure if you take time to plan ahead so that
you can enjoy the actual journey. According to Yahoo! Travel's Thanksgiving
survey they found that 53 percent more people are planning to travel
this holiday season than last. The highways will be crowded with drivers
making their way to holiday feasts and family visits. If you are planning
a trip with children, here are seven tips to make the trip safe and enjoyable:
1. A safe trip for children starts with them in the back seat and buckled-up
properly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends
the following:
- Infants (under 20 lbs.): rear-facing convertible seats with harness straps at or below shoulder level.
- Toddlers (20-40 lbs.): forward-facing convertible seats with harness straps at or above shoulders.
- Young children (more than 40 lbs.): use a forward-facing, belt positioning booster seat with the lap belt fitting low and tight across the lap/upper thigh area and shoulder belt snug across the chest and shoulder.
2. You'll want to make sure your vehicle is in proper working condition. Your car's engine will likely be working overtime since you will be facing heavily trafficked areas. Changing your engine oil and replacing dirty air filters are important steps in order to keep your car on the road as well as increasing fuel economy. With children in the car you don't want to take the chance of a breakdown along the road.
3. One of the best ways to keep your family safe is to stay awake during your trip. The National Sleep Foundation and the AAA Foundation recommend the following:
- Get a good night's sleep before your trip - at least 8 hours.
- Make sure at least one passenger is awake to talk to the driver.
- Recognize signs of fatigue such as lane drifting and difficulty focusing.
- Schedule stops every two hours or 100 miles. There may be a children's museum or attraction on the way to or from your destination to make these stops more interesting.
4. Bring diversions and keep them occupied. Kids tire and bore very easily. That said, they bore quickly of their own toys as well. Bring a few new toys they haven't seen yet. Children are never too young to start learning geography. Explain where you are and where you're going to help pass the time. If you're planning a long drive, be prepared for frequent bathroom and food break requests.
5. If you have a child or other passenger that gets carsick discuss this with your doctor, as there are some medications that can prevent this. There are other things you can do too prevent carsickness, like driving at a constant speed, keeping the window open a bit, and eating light snacks along the way to prevent the need for a heavy meal.
6. If you're traveling with infants, make sure to pack a travel bag that includes: changing blanket, disposable diapers, diaper wipes, no-spill cups, children's books, pacifier and holder and a favorite blanket or toy. In a separate, heavy-duty plastic bag, include children's prescription medicine, thermometer, and other first aid equipment.
7. And here's one last thing to consider on your way to your holiday destination: talk with your children about family members you'll be seeing -- it will help pass the time and jog their memories. Ask them what their favorite memories are about individuals. Suggest that they tell family members about specific things they've been doing -- like accomplishments at school and achievements in sports or hobbies. This will make for a more fun and memorable visit for everyone.
Jim Orsi
Director of Operations for Jiffy Lube