I hate to say it, but summer is “accident season" in the emergency room . I see this as an ER doctor, but also as a mom, when my kiddos are playing sports, outside, and maybe without their usual school routines and supervision. Hello, bumps and bruises!
Plus, with summer comes travel, and that means visiting places that aren’t baby-proof or familiar. Not to mention the potential viruses and colds that can come with that, all while not having all the medical resources you're accustomed to back at home.
Since you don’t want to spend a summer afternoon at the ER (especially if you’re traveling ), here are a few steps I take to keep my own family’s trips fun and safe.
Key Takeaways
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Summer is meant to be fun, but unfortunately, ER doctors see a lot of children with avoidable injuries.
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If you're traveling, write down phone numbers and addresses for the children's urgent care closest to where you're staying.
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Keep your kiddo safe by preparing ahead of time for things like car seats, safe sleeping arrangements, and the proper pool precautions.
1. Always bring your child’s car seat
I know it's a pain to lug baby gear when traveling, but having an age and weight-appropriate car seat when I travel is a non-negotiable for me.
Driving with your own car will make this easy, but if you're flying, there'll be some extra legwork.
On an airplane , the safest place for a baby under 2 years old is in a child restraint system (CRS), either a forward- or rear-facing hard-backed child safety seat, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
I know it’s tempting just to hold them, however, a baby or toddler can be ejected from your arms if there's unexpected extreme turbulence and they're not restrained, especially during takeoff and landing.
Before you pack your car seat, check that the label says it’s certified for use in an aircraft. Not every CRS is FAA-compliant. For infants under 20 pounds, position their rear-facing car seat in the same position they sit in your car.
One alternative for children who weigh 20 to 40 pounds is a CARES restraint device , which is an FAA-approved harness designed just for airplanes. It fastens to the airplane seat and can be used for children who weigh 22 to 44 pounds.
If you plan to check a car seat, do it at the gate so it avoids the bumpy trip down the baggage conveyor belt. While many car rental companies offer car seat rentals, it’s impossible to know if that seat has been in an accident (which would mean that it’s no longer safe to use) or if it’s been cared for properly. Bringing your own is always your best bet, but if you can’t, just do your best to find out if the rental is safe for use.
2. Know the emergency numbers
If your little one spikes a fever or falls and bumps their head while traveling, it’s important to know where to go to get the help they need. Here are the numbers I always have saved in my phone:
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Emergency number for ambulance help: In the U.S., this is 911, but if you are traveling abroad, you can look up the equivalent number on the U.S. Department of State's website .
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Local children’s hospital emergency department
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Pediatric urgent care center
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Local hospital and urgent care for adults
I always call my insurance company before I travel to see what they'll cover in the event someone in my family needs medical treatment wherever we're going.
3. Consider travel insurance
When you have kids, anything can happen leading up to your trip. So, if you’ve splurged for a huge trip that an illness or injury could make impossible, consider travel insurance when you purchase.
For airlines and hotels, for example, travel insurance is usually just a small fee and will allow you to cancel even on the day of the trip for credits or a full refund. Travel insurance is also usually available during checkout when buying a plane flight, booking a hotel room, or renting a car.
4. Pack a first-aid bag
When traveling, I always take our family’s first aid bag, including the basics and some items tailored for our trip.
Here’s what I pack:
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Prescription medications : Take enough for your trip, plus a few days extra, in case you hit delays on the way home. If you’re flying, prescriptions should be in your carry-on bag so you’re never without them. These should include routine medications, plus any “as needed” medications that you or your family are prescribed.
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Standard medications: I always have children’s acetaminophen, ibuprofen (for appropriate ages), an allergy medication like Zyrtec, an anti-itch cream or stick, Band-Aids, gauze, antibiotic ointment, bug spray, sunscreen, and aloe vera.
- Anti-nausea medication . Remember that you can ask your provider ahead a time for a prescription anti-nausea medication or patch, like Zofran, to have on-hand (which is what I do).
5. Prioritize baby sleep safety before you leave
When staying at a hotel, I’ll call ahead and ask if they have a Consumer Product Safety Commission-approved crib, bassinet, or play yard. If they don't, I ask if there are any third-party companies they partner with that rent them out, such as BabyQuip . You can also bring your own play yard that meets the safety standards of the CPSC.
Unfortunately, older cribs can be dangerous since there have been many updates in the last decade to the crib safety standards. If you have a previously used crib, say in your parents’ attic, check the CPSC site for recalls and guidance. If it was manufactured before 2013, it won’t likely comply with the latest safety updates around drop-side rails, slats that are too far apart, or lead paint, which all pose risks to your baby.
And remember, to always follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) rules for safe sleep:
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Place your infants on their backs in their own sleep space.
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Use a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet.
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Remove all loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, and bumpers from their sleep space
6. Check the safety of all on-site pools
I hate to be a stickler here, but drownings are the number one cause of death in children ages 1 to 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and a majority of these deaths come from drownings in outdoor bodies of water, like a pool.
If you’re renting a home with a pool, make sure it’s properly fenced in on all sides surrounding the pool. That includes having a barrier between the exterior doors and the actual pool. You’ll also want all the doors leading out to the pool to have working locks and even a chime on the door that signals it’s opened, when possible.
Even with these safety precautions, it's important to stay within arm's length of your toddler around a pool, providing what the AAP calls "touch supervision." The AAP recommends you designate an adult to be a "water watcher" so that there is always one adult who will have constant attention on the children who are in the water.
7. Take a couple of extra childproofing items, if needed
Let's be honest – rentals and hotels are typically not as baby-proof as your own home. Here are some of the things I throw in my luggage to help me baby-proof wherever I'm staying:
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Outlet covers
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A portable carbon monoxide detector to test the air.
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Adjustable (and portable) suction cup window locks or stops that can be used for balcony doors to keep our youngest from trying to get out.
Then, I typically rent a baby gate . The easiest way to keep the rental safe is to designate a “safe space” for your baby in a limited area. I usually ask the hotel or property if they have one, or rent one from a third-party company.
8. Keep up with your normal safety precautions
Often when traveling and vacationing, we are a little more lax with, well, everything (me included!). And while I'm all about enjoying ourselves on vacation, we just have to keep the same degree of vigilance that we have at home.
Once you get to your destination, go around and remove anything heavy that's up higher, like a lamp close to the edge of a credenza, so it can't fall on top of your baby if they start pulling on it. Also, check where your baby is sleeping and make sure there's nothing heavy above them, or cords within their reach.
In my family, we usually talk about which parent is responsible for which child during each outing (not just pool time) – that way, we know who's on duty, and we can switch off when necessary.
It could also be important to check the food and water safety status before you head out . Occasionally, certain areas will have a foodborne illness outbreak, like salmonella, or there are precautions to take when drinking the tap water there. No matter where you're traveling, you can always look at the CDC's website to find out if there's anything you need to know about your destination.
Remember, keeping your child safe is most important, of course, but your trip is for you too – so enjoy yourself (and I'll do the same!).
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