7 Ways to Prevent Injury and Keep Your Kids Safe Abroad

**Advertisement Feature**

Family holidays are great fun and are a fantastic way for families to spend time together and escape the stress of day-to-day life, they can even be educational for kids but, they’re not without their dangers. Dependent on where you choose for your next family holiday there are certain things you will need to do to keep you and your family safe. In this article, we’ll share seven tips for preventing injury and keeping your kids safe abroad. 

Many of us look forward to a week of sun, sea and sand each summer and, while a family holiday is a great way to unwind, it doesn’t always come without the worries, especially when it comes to taking children abroad.  

Hotter weather and unknown places can also present some hazards, particularly to children. Not to mention things like language barriers when you do need help and different health and safety regulations in different countries. There is a rarely a moment where one eye is off them, but this doesn’t always prevent injury.  Often, overseas resorts are not regulated in the same way as they are in the UK, so if you or your child have experienced an injury within a public space It may be useful to speak to personal injury solicitors in Bristol, Manchester, London or wherever you’re returning to after your holiday. 

Whilst some accidents can be resolved privately whilst abroad it’s best to be aware of easy ways to prevent it happening in the first place. So here are 7 things to keep in mind when it comes to keeping kids safe and ensuring everyone has a happy, safe and stress-free holiday.

Swimming 

Swimming in the sea and in swimming pools is often one of the best parts of a holiday for children and adults, but it can also be one of the most dangerous too. With young children, always make sure that they are using a swimming aid such as a rubber ring or arm bands and, always make sure that your kids are in sight at all times when swimming. Most beaches and swimming areas will have marked out or flagged areas that are the safest to swim in, try to stick to these where possible, even better if there are lifeguards on duty too.

Similarly, should you decide to allow your child to participate in water sports, you should make sure that you check out the credentials of the company running the activity to ensure that your child will be safe in their hands.  

The same goes for boat trips, you should only ever book these from an accredited agent and always make sure that your child is wearing a lifejacket where necessary. 

 

Sun and Extreme Heat 

Overexposure to the sun can result in painful burns which can ruin a holiday and, in extreme cases, may require medical attention. When taking kids abroad, sunblock is your best friend, make sure that your children don’t go out in the sun without sunscreen or sunblock and reapply regularly. Other things you can do to help prevent children falling poorly from the heat is get them to wear a hat when out in the sun and try to insist on them drinking plenty, so they stay hydrated.

Where possible, avoid going out to areas without shade in the middle of the day when the sun is at its strongest. 

Balconies 

For adults, a hotel balcony is the perfect way to relax during a holiday. However, it’s extremely important to supervise children if your room is on a high level. Educate your children on balcony safety such as no climbing to prevent dangerous falls.  

If a fall from a hotel balcony occurs due to a fault with the structure, you should always consult with a personal injury solicitor who may be able to help you to gain compensation for the incident. 

Be Aware of Certain Foods  

Eating out is, of course, one of the joys of a family holiday. However, this can soon turn sour if your child ends up with a case of food poisoning. Seafood is often a cause of food poisoning so always make sure that this is properly cooked and if unsure at all do not eat it.

While salad may seem innocent, it is often washed with local water so should not be consumed in large amounts. Whilst there isn’t a lot to be done to prevent food poisoning, try looking at a restaurant’s reviews before dining for best judgement.  

Check the Water is Safe to Drink 

When at home, your children will be used to simply turning on a tap when they want a drink of water, in some places tap water abroad can cause stomach upsets. Always keep bottles of water with you and in your room to avoid tummy troubles spoiling your child’s holiday.

Playgrounds 

In the UK, parks and play areas must meet strict safety regulations, but this is not always the case overseas. Make sure that your child is supervised while using this equipment and avoid any equipment which requires climbing.  

If your child is injured while using play equipment abroad, you should seek medical help immediately (your hotel will be able to advise on this). If an injury is serious or severe, you should always consult with a personal injury solicitor when you return to the UK as you may be able to claim financial compensation as well as preventing a similar incident happening to another family.  

Hotel Rooms 

Even the most luxurious of hotel rooms can hide potential dangers such as overly hot tap water, insecure fixtures and fittings which a child may potentially pull on top of themselves.  

When first checking into your room, make sure that you examine it in order to identify any potential dangers and, depending on the level of danger, either remove the hazard or ask to switch to a different room.  

In recent years, there have, unfortunately, been incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning in hotel rooms overseas which have, tragically, resulted in a number of deaths. You could always invest in a portable carbon monoxide detector to take with you when travelling.  These are inexpensive and available from home stores and online and have the potential to save lives.

  

Safe Travels with Kids  

Holidays are of course, for relaxing and taking a well-earned break from our daily lives. Unfortunately, this does often mean that we will tend to let our guard down while we’re away - leaving ourselves, and our children, vulnerable to accidents and injuries.  

While it’s great to meet new friends on holiday, not everybody is a potential BFF so, always make sure that you know who your child is talking to and stay alert for anybody who may look suspicious or out of place.  Proper planning and making sure that you’re aware of your environment, as well as checking the credentials of vendors can significantly help in minimising risks while abroad and making sure that your holiday is memorable for all the right reasons. 

xXx

Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained legal professional. Be sure to consult a lawyer/solicitor if you’re seeking advice on public injury claims. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.