Safe travel with kids
Common household hazards to check for when you arrive.
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When your baby becomes mobile and toddles into their more mischievous years, you baby-proof your home. That means adding locks to cabinets containing household cleaners, covering electrical outlets, and much more.
But when you travel to visit relatives who don’t have little ones, it’s stressful to chase your child around and try to keep him or her safe. And being in a new environment actually does put them at a higher risk of injury.
“We see a lot of injuries happen when there are changes in routines,” said Jessica Winberry, prevention coordinator with THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. “We’ve done our due diligence within our home, but traveling can present new issues. When you arrive, get down on your hands and knees to see what your child would, and sweep the area for hazards. Have discussions about safety with the hosts in advance, and pack what you need to keep your child safe, like a portable safe sleep space.”
Travel safety tips
If you’re staying with friends or family during the holidays, this checklist can help you do a quick sweep when you arrive to remove (or at least be aware of) any potential hazards.
Keep your little one safe with these resources
Safe Kids Northeast Florida, led by THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health at Wolfson Children's Hospital, provides free resources on safe sleep, household hazards and more.
