Family vacations are a mix of unforgettable memories, great stories, but also a fair amount of stress (and snacking, to be quite honest). Under the current circumstances, with travel bans still in place in most countries as well as social distancing rules to try to slow down the pandemic, family travel has become fraught with challenges. Safety has become even more important, and it is essential to take a variety of precautions if you want to enjoy your trip and not spend every minute of it worried and stressed.
First of all, road trips are a preferred travel opportunity given the situation, as they allow families to explore local natural wonders, find boutique accommodations, or even spend a few nights in their RVs and campgrounds to avoid crowds and follow all prescribed rules. To keep your little ones safe and sound throughout the trip, here are a few tips to help you prepare for your road trip with peace of mind!
Disinfectants and masks at hand
Since the pandemic remains a relevant factor in all of our travel plans, it is only natural to invest more time in health and safety measures that address your hygiene and prevent the spread of the virus. In addition to essential medical supplies that will come in handy even if one of your children catches a cold, you should also pack face masks and hand sanitizers to use when you come in contact with others.
For example, if you're about to stop for coffee, gas or snacks for the road, you'll need to reduce the risk of transmission.
Prepare your vehicle for your youngest travelers
When you're about to go on a road trip with your children, you need to make sure that even the youngest ones are safely seated, protected and comfortable during the ride. To start, look for safe car seats that fit your child and your vehicle, and preferably one that is easy to install. You'll notice that different models have different levels of adjustment. So it can be helpful to check out what positions are available to make sure your child is comfortable and settled.
Finally, you should always make sure that the seat in question is designed with the latest safety standards in mind and that it has been properly tested.
Bring your emergency kit
A car without an emergency kit is certainly not ready for a road trip. Even if your mechanic has given you the green light and your vehicle is in perfect condition for a long trip, you need to check if you have enough emergency supplies for the whole family. Head to the nearest pharmacy to stock up on items such as bandages and alcohol for disinfection, but you should also stock up on enough gauze and bandages, just in case.
Before you leave, make sure you have plenty of everything and that your gadgets, such as your flashlight, are working properly.
Use technology to your advantage
Some of the most exciting road trips involve traveling to unfamiliar destinations, including remote locations to see a nature preserve or spend a weekend in a mountain cabin away from civilization. If this is your first trip to such places, don't just rely on road signs, but install a GPS in your vehicle to get accurate coordinates and tips on how to get there safely.
Also, if you're taking a motorhome with you, a surveillance system with cameras to help you park and monitor it while you're on the road is a brilliant solution that will give you peace of mind.
Avoid distractions
While these tips may seem obvious to many of you, it seems that a large portion of the population engages in dangerous activities while driving, with their children in the car. In fact, one study showed that 52% of parents with children in the car were talking on a hands-free phone, while 47% were talking on a handheld device. Distractions are among the most common causes of traffic accidents, so it's essential that you check your own behavior before you hit the road.
Once you've informed everyone of your destination and travel plans, you should also turn off your ringer, teach your children to behave intelligently behind the wheel and make sure all distractions are excluded.
Now that safety is assured, you can move on to planning your snacks, creating a fun itinerary, and finding fun activities for your kids to do while you're on the road to your destination. Check out this quick checklist before your next road trip, and you'll have the peace of mind you need to have fun, explore new places and bond with your kids on your trip.