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6 Things You Can Do to Protect Your Family on Summer Vacation

Summertime in Florida is vacation season. If your family is planning a summer trip this year, it is important to address the potential hazards and risks you could face so you can make your time away as safe, relaxing and fun as possible.

People who plan to drive to their vacation destinations are likely to experience increased traffic congestion, with a higher risk of car accidents. Many hotels will be booked to capacity; pools, beaches and water parks will be packed with people cooling off from the hot summer sun; and amusement parks will be filled with thrill-seekers.

To stay safe, follow these safety tips to protect your family:

  1. Driving Safety

    Before you and your family can kick back, you first need to arrive safely at your destination. Reduce your chances of breaking down on the way by doing the following prior to your road trip:

    • Perform routine maintenance on your vehicle, including a tune-up, oil change, tire rotation and battery check.
    • Top off all vehicle fluids.
    • Check air pressure in the tires.
    • Make sure the air conditioner is functioning properly.
    • Verify that all lights on your vehicle are working.
    • Pack a roadside emergency and first aid kit.

    To reduce the risk of being involved in a serious accident, you should:

    • Obey the speed limit.
    • Follow the rules of the road.
    • Not talk on your cell phone or text while driving.
    • Avoid in-vehicle activities such as eating, grooming and drinking. Pull over instead.
    • Ensure you have had sufficient sleep and make frequent rest stops.
    • Never drink and drive – even if you are “under the limit.”

  2. Travel Safety

    Keeping you and your family safe while traveling includes not making yourself an easy target for criminals. Some tips for staying safe include:

    • Keep jewelry and expensive belongings out of sight or locked up securely.
    • Carry cash in a money belt or neck wallet rather than in a purse or a wallet in your back pocket.
    • Carry only essential credit cards and identification.
    • Be aware that your conversations can be overheard and avoid discussing money, your purchases, etc.
    • Travel in groups or pairs, not alone.
    • Keep a close eye on children at all times.
    • Plan a meeting time and place in case your family gets separated.
    • Have a plan in place in case of an emergency.

    Following these basic tips can help you and your family avoid getting separated, becoming a target for thieves or losing your valuables.

  3. Car Seat Safety

    Seat belts are mandatory for children and adults of all ages. Until your child meets the age, height and weight requirements to ride in a vehicle without the use of a booster seat or car seat, it is critical that you use a properly installed approved car seat. Your child’s age will determine what type of car seat should be installed in your vehicle, according to Parents Central:

    • From birth to at least 12 months of age a child should be placed in a rear-facing car seat.
    • Children can move from a rear-facing car seat to a forward-facing car seat when they are between 1 and 3 years of age, but you should try to keep your child rear-facing as long as possible.
    • Once your child has moved to a forward-facing car seat, he or she should continue to use the seat until the top manufacturer height or weight limits have been reached. This generally occurs between the ages of 4 and 7. This type of car seat should be tethered to the vehicle’s seat, and should ideally have a five-point harness.
    • Children between the ages of four and twelve can move to a booster seat as long as they have outgrown the limits on a forward-facing car seat with a harness. If the seat belt does not fit snugly across the child’s upper thighs, it may be too early to transition, or a seat belt adjuster could be necessary.

    It is also important to check the model of your child’s car seat against the NHTSA’s list to make sure it has not been recalled, even if recently purchased. Defective car seats could lead to serious injuries and may fail to provide protection against injury in a car accident.

  4. Pool and Water Safety

    If your summer activities include going to the pool or hitting the beach, make sure to apply sunscreen. Regularly reapply sunscreen throughout the day to keep your skin protected from the sun’s harmful rays. Big hats, UV-resistant clothing and umbrellas also help.

    Practicing water safety is essential. The American Red Cross recommends the following steps to stay safe around water:

    • Learn how to swim and teach your children to swim.
    • Require younger children wear swim vests or Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
    • Swim in only designated areas with a lifeguard present.
    • Never swim alone.
    • Do not leave children unattended around water.
    • Designate a sober adult to supervise younger children at all times.
    • Never entrust your child to another child’s care in or around the water.
    • Teach children to stay away from drains, grates, suction vents and other places where fingers, toes or other body parts could get caught.
    • Follow and enforce posted pool rules, such as no running and no roughhousing.
    • Do not consume alcohol when going to the pool or beach. Your judgment and ability to swim can be adversely affected.
    • Learn CPR and use it if necessary.
    • Teach your family how to respond to a water emergency.

    A beach, pool, lake, river or any outdoor body of water should be avoided during a storm. Even if it is not raining at your location but storm clouds can be seen in the distance, the possibility of a lightning strike is greatly increased.

  5. Hotel Safety

    Remember not to let down your guard when staying at a hotel on vacation. Not all hotels are equipped with the most up-to-date security features, nor are all hotels adequately maintained for the safety of guests.

    To reduce the risk from inadequate security, follow these hotel safety tips:

    • Avoid areas with dim lighting.
    • Walk only on well-traveled streets and paths.
    • Keep all valuable items locked securely in your room safe or the hotel safe.
    • Keep your vehicle locked and keep all valuables out of sight.
    • Never leave money lying in plain sight in your hotel room.
    • Keep your room key on you at all times when you leave the room.
    • Keep your door locked and secured whenever you are in the room.
    • Report any suspicious activity or individuals to hotel security immediately.

  6. Amusement Park Safety

    Many families plan to visit one of Florida’s many amusement parks and water parks over summer vacation. If your plans include a trip to an amusement park or water park, it is important to exercise caution.

    Park-goers should take the following precautions:

    • Adhere to posted age, height and weight restrictions.
    • Follow park rules.
    • Always keep hands, arms, legs and feet inside the ride.
    • Remain seated until the ride comes to a complete stop and the ride operator lets you know it is safe to exit.
    • Use safety restraints as directed.
    • Keep track of your children at all times. Ensure they are aware of park rules and follow them.
    • Never pressure someone to ride if he or she does not want to.
    • If you observe unsafe behavior, report it to security at once.
    • If you believe conditions on a ride are unsafe, do not go on the ride and report the dangerous situation immediately.

    Those going to water parks, or on water rides, need to make sure to walk, not run. Running may increase the possibility of being injured in a slip-and-fall accident.

Unfortunately, accidents can happen on summer vacation even if you take all the proper precautions. If your family suffers serious injuries while on vacation and someone else’s negligence is to blame, it is important to discuss your situation with a qualified personal injury attorney.

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