• Before leaving on your holiday remind children about your family safety procedures for dealing with strangers, what to do if they get lost.
• Keep a recent photo of children handy, also a photocopy of passports kept in a safe place or with a relative that can fax it to you in case of loss.
• If you label children's clothing, make sure the label is inside so strangers are not able to learn child's name.
• A single parent travelling with children should ensure that permission from other parent is readily available for authorities (this is to prevent one parent abductions).  This is especially important for air/train or cross border travel.
• Always ensure one parent is in charge of keeping an eye on children and perhaps other parent can look after arrangements for travel.
• Click on the coat to view travel news about the danger of drawstrings on children's outerwear
• Dressing children in bright colours makes them readily visible.  Try to remember what they are wearing.
• Consider using a harness for toddlers, especially in busy places like airports, attractions.
• Remind children about road safety rules, hold the hand of children under nine at all times when crossing a road or at an intersection.
• Remind older children to always tell you where they are going
• Use safety tips when using public washrooms with young children.
• Wash hands regularly - See Tips on Washing Hands to Avoid Germs
• If children have a severe allergy see Travel Safety Tips - Severe Allergic Reactions
• Be Prepared and know what to do in case of a Hotel Fire - See Fire Safety Tips, Hotel and Hotel Room Fire Safety, Candles, Safe Pajamas and the Dangers of Matches and Lighters.
• Make sure that you have required documentation when visiting a foreign country - for US citizens see http://travel.state.gov /foreignentryreqs.html for requirements.  For Canadian Citizens check http://voyage.dfait- maeci.gc.ca/destinations /menu_e.htm  This site lists travel advisories and entry requirements by clicking on the maps.
• Review your home address, telephone number and provide your children with the name, address and telephone number of a relative or friend to contact in an emergency.
• Provide a relative or friend with your travel itinerary and the name and telephone number of any hotels or resorts where you will be staying, if available.
• Ensure that all occupants of any vehicles are properly secured and that there are no large or heavy items in the vehicle that may injure the occupants at any sudden stops.  See the link below for more information on car safety.
• Never leave children alone in a car, temperatures can rise rapidly in a parked car. Click the image to view article.
• If travelling by air, make sure all family members are secured by the safety belts when seated.  Also see  the travel news item on air travel with young children - click on Airplane Safety.
• When using highchairs in restaurants, make sure that children are secured by waist and middle strap.
• Keep candles on the table out of reach of children.
• Remind children to stay away from all animals.
• Avoid latex balloons, small toys and hard pieces of food due to the risk of choking.  See Dangers of Balloons - Travel Safety News and Safety tips for Buying Safe Toys and Using Toys Safely.
• Keep medicines and poisons away from small children and watch that children don't eat any plants.
• If you are bringing or plan on using bicycles while on vacation make sure all family members are biking safely - click image for more information.

All tips are offered as suggestions only.  While we have tried to provide you with a list of suggestions to help parents when travelling with children to keep them safe, unfortunately, we can’t think of everything and it is the responsibility of parents to ensure their children’s safety.

See the following sections for specific tips:

For Car Safety Tips Click on

For Hotel Safety Tips Click on

For Safety Tips when visiting Petting Zoos and Animal Farms Click Below:

For Playground Safety Tips Click on

For Winter Holiday Safety Tips Click on

For Safety Tips on Walking with Children Click Below:

For Pool and Beach Safety Tips Click on

For Kids Club Safety Tips Click on

For Fire Safety Tips Click on

For Biking Safety Tips Click on

For Safety Tips - Severe Allergic Reactions Click on

For Sun Safety Tips Click on

For Safety Tips for Using Public Washrooms Click on

For First Aid Tips Click on

For In-line Skating Safety Tips Click on

For Tips on Buying Safe Toys Click Below:

For Seasonal Holiday Safety Tips Click Below:

You may also want to check out

 Travel News - Safety Issues

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