TRAVELLING abroad with your children can be stressful for any parent but a parenting expert has revealed the key ways to keep your kids safe on holiday.
Best-selling author and child development specialist Fi Star-Stone spoke to The Sun Online about how best to keep your little ones safe when away from home.
She includes vital tips to make sure your child can be found quickly if lost, how to teach your youngster to avoid strangers and how to keep them safe in the sun.
LOST IN TRANSLATION
With exploring a new country often comes the worry of getting lost, Fi explains.
She told the Sun: "Older children often have their own phones so this reduces the risk of not being able to find each other however, batteries die, and signals can get lost so it’s really helpful to teach older kids how to say ‘hello I’m lost’ in the language of the country you’re visiting, then to give your contact number.
"For little ones, have a note tucked into their pocket or bag they can give to someone if lost.
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"ID bracelets are great too – these have space for important contact info and your child’s name."
She also suggested parents organise a meeting point before they start exploring so older kids can go directly to it if lost.
She added: "If your children do get lost, it’s important to teach them not to go off with anyone, unless it’s the police, and to remain where they are until you are contacted or find them."
STRANGER DANGER
At home, children are taught extensively about what to do if approached by a stranger – when abroad the same rules apply the parenting expert told The Sun.
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She said: "Just as we tell our children to be aware of talking or going off with strangers at home, it’s important to reiterate the importance of this while abroad.
"While it’s nice to be friendly, to make new holiday friends, make sure you set some boundaries such as not going off hotel grounds with new friends or going into their cars or hotel rooms.
"Keep a close eye on little ones and report any suspicious characters to staff or local police if concerned."
One top tip for worried parents Fi said is to check the hotel's holiday clubs and crèches credentials.
Fi said: "Check credentials before traveling and don’t be afraid to ask to see checks or qualifications of childcare staff before leaving your little ones with them.
"You’d check sitters at home, so please don’t feel like you’re causing a fuss to check while on holiday."
EMERGENCY PLAN
Fi advised parents to also plan for extreme scenarios such as natural disasters or fires even if it may seem over-cautious.
She warned: "Have a plan in place in case of emergencies such as natural disasters, hotel fire or even terrorist attacks.
"If out in a city – talk about what to do if you need to get away quickly. Which child will go with which parent and what you’ll do.
"Without getting kids anxious, explain in an age-appropriate way that it’s very unlikely but good to know what to do.
"This may sound extreme but actually reassured my own children on knowing how to keep safe during the Barcelona attacks when we were on holiday there."
She suggested parents look at the accommodation fire escape plans and ensure their children know and understand what to do in the event of a fire.
She added: "It may sound over-cautious, but it is better to be aware and safe than the unthinkable."
SUN SAFETY
Finally, the parenting expert warned parents to be aware of the dangers of spending long periods of time in the sun.
She included helpful tips such as setting a phone alarm to keep track of time, avoiding the hottest times of the day, and applying sun cream regularly.
She said: "We all know the dangers of sun damage, but it’s very easy to lose track of time on holiday, so set a reminder on your phone to re-apply suncreams and to keep kids hydrated.
"Whatever sunscreen you choose, make sure it protects against both UVA and UVB rays and, if in or near water, it’s water-resistant. Always re-apply after swimming too.
Avoid the hottest hours between 11am and 3pm, and ensure young children are mostly in the shade.
"It’s important to be aware that babies, especially under 6 months, should be kept out of direct strong sunlight.
"As grumpy as younger children get about wearing a sunhat – insist they do. If you can get them to wear sunglasses – even better.
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Lastly, Fi told The Sun that families should enjoy their holiday and that her tips can help things run smoothly.
She said: "Remember holidays are for fun! These tips are just to help you have the best time and cover all bases to keep the stress at bay."
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