enjoying your summer travel

Whether it is a long distance drive, a flight to another city, or a short trip for the weekend, your travel itinerary shouldn't be complete until you've properly planned and added safety tips to your agenda. East Tennessee Children's Hospital's Child Life Department has suggestions for making this year's family vacation even better-and safer.

"Family vacations often become stressful for families, and this can ruin parts of the trip for both parents and children," said Sara Sealine, Child Life Specialist at Children's Hospital. "Parents need to take into account the ages and attention span of their children. This plays a key role in planning an agenda for a trip."

For younger children, it is important to keep them on their same schedule (or as close to) as at home. This will lead to less irritable children and make the trip more enjoyable for everyone involved. Younger children need less involved vacations; parents should consider visiting the beach or camping at a national park. More involved vacations, such as sightseeing in various cities, visiting a theme park or vacations that require a busy schedule, should wait until children are older.

Below are some additional tips to keep in mind when planning a family trip. Not only will these tips help plan the next family trip, but will help keep children safer as well.

• Before planning your trip, allow children to have input in planning the activities they would like to do. Allowing each child to plan a portion of the trip makes them feel important and special. Fewer problems should occur if children each have their own specific "fun-time" and activity.

Vacations and Children

• Place a first aid kit both in your car and in your suitcase for minor cuts and accidents.
• Wear seat belts in the car at all times. It is a necessary part of any drive to buckle-up all children and adults throughout the drive.
• Keep small children in car or booster seats throughout the entire trip.
• If driving long-distance, stop frequently for children to get out and play. This release of energy is good for the child and helps the time in the car go by faster for everyone.
• Keep snacks available in the car and throughout the many places you travel. Cheese and crackers, fruit, and nuts are just a few possibilities for snacks during the drive.
• Pack all prescription medications, after sun products and allergy medications for each possible occasion and activity.
• Take several of each child's favorite toys along on any trip. They should have time to play alone during the trip, and this will make the drive less monotonous.
• To keep children from getting bored, fidgeting in the car or fighting with siblings, bring a compact disc or DVD player. Music and DVD's can provide family time and entertainment in the car or at the hotel between activities.
• Talk about the geography and landscaping seen as you drive and possibly use the time for teaching historical lessons. Keeping children interested in a variety of activities should keep them occupied and avoid unsafe situations caused by boredom.
• Once you arrive at your destination and check into your hotel, examine the room for fire evacuation procedures, "child-proof" all electrical outlets, appliances and shelves, and look for other areas that may pose a hazard for your child.
• Use swimming safety rules at the pool, lake or beach. Never leave children unattended around any body of water. Use flotation devices and rafts with caution and do not rely on "floaties" instead of a life preserver to safeguard your children in the water.
• Sunscreen should be worn whenever there is exposure to the sun. Reapply after being in the water or on water slides or rides. If a child is over exposed to the sun, aloe lotions and other products may be used to ease the pain and help the child be more comfortable.
• If visiting a densely populated location such as a theme park, remind your children not to talk or go with strangers and keep children in sight at all times.
• Always know how to reach local hospitals and authorities in each town or city your family visits.
• Enjoy each other's company and create happy memories on your next trip!

Keeping these tips in mind and some early planning will help guarantee a fun-filled, safe vacation that is sure to capture a lifetime of memories. For more information about vacations and children, visit Children's Hospital's Web site at www.etch.com.

East Tennessee Children's Hospital's vision is Leading the Way to Healthy Children. Children's Hospital is a private, independent, not-for-profit pediatric medical center that has served the East Tennessee region for more than 70 years and is certified by the state of Tennessee as a Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Center.

Editor's Note: Children's Hospital's Healthy Kids program is a community education initiative of the Community Relations Department. The program serves as an education resource for parents by offering classes, literature and other opportunities for learning how to improve the health and well-being of children. For more information or to sign up for classes, call the Healthy Kids Hotline at (865) 541-8262.