Ensuring Safe Travels

Last month a toddler was killed by an alligator at Walt Disney World. This was a horrible tragedy and the stuff of every parent's worst nightmares. Disney, I'm sure, will pay out a large settlement to the affected family and for a short time, the whole world is painfully aware of at least one of the dangers that lurk in Florida's waters. More than likely, WDW employees are hard at work erecting gator warning signs around the many lakes and ponds in the area in the hopes to keep future visitors safe. Months and years from now, people will ignore those signs.
     The reality is, we as parents traveling with children, shouldn't rely on other people or warning signs at our intended destination to keep us safe. In the end, our own safety and that of our children, is our own responsibility. It astounds me that American travelers have become so, well, lazy, that we don't do ANY research about our destination before we drag our kids there. We simply assume that, because it's a resort or popular tourist attraction, it is a safe place.
     That is dumb and dangerous.
     Before you take your kids somewhere, or yourself for that matter, you should at a bare minimum go online and find the answers to the following questions:

• What type of crimes are common in the area?
• Are there many kidnappings?
• Robberies?
• Murders?
• Does any member of my family fit the profile of those most commonly targeted for that type of crime?
• Is it safe to walk around the area or should we stick to guided tours?
• What kind of safety hazards exist where I'll be traveling?
• Are there heavy undertows or heavy currents in natural water bodies where people swim?
• Are there steep cliffs or sudden drop offs near areas we'll be visiting?
• Are there any poisonous plants or recent spills in the area?
• Is the area known for toxic molds or allergens that affect any of my family members?
• Is the area home to predatory animals?
• Where do they hunt and when?
• How are they best avoided?
• How should we react to them if encountered?
• What type of insects are common in the area?
• Are they poisonous?
• Do they transmit diseases?
• Where are they most commonly found? (Beds, wood piles, foliage, flying around?)
• How do you avoid getting bitten or stung?
• Is transportation safe?
• What are accident histories?
• What are the applicable laws (I.e. for driving a car, golf cart, bicycle, etc.)
• Should we keep "bribe" money in our identification folios? (Yes, some places that's necessary to avoid arrest during a traffic stop since local law enforcement may target travelers.)
• What activities will we be participating in?
• Do they require certification or pre-training?
• Do we have the right clothing and shoes?
• Does long hair need to be contained or jewelry removed? (I.e. if you're snorkeling with sparkling earrings a barracuda may remove your ear.)
• What's the accident history involving those activities?
• What food safety issues may exist?
• Can you drink tap water?
• Are fresh fruits and vegetables safe to consume?
• Are there known issues with other raw foods? Undercooked foods?
• Are food allergens commonly used in prepared foods?
• What is the local language & where do you find help in your own language?
• Bring a translation app that you've tested with native accents if possible.
• What is the political atmosphere?
• In light of recent events around the globe, it's best to avoid large crowds and know where terrorists or other political action can put your family at risk.

     Especially when traveling outside the USA, the regulations are more likely to be far more relaxed than safety laws and age limitations here in the states. Sometimes they're more restrictive. You should never make the dangerous assumption that the rules you're used to at home apply elsewhere, even from state to state. You should also never assume that just because a place or activity is open to young tourists that it is safe for your kids. In general, just make sure you know what dangers exist at your destination and how to avoid them. If you can't avoid them, be well-rehearsed on what to do in an emergency.
     Here's an example of how my friend and I prepared for our recent trip to Ambergris Caye, Belize:

• We reviewed the CDC's travel alerts and recommended immunizations for the area we were visiting.
• We reviewed Zika safety recommendations by the CDC and coached our girls on constant use of insect repellent, even while indoors. I taught my daughter to blow on a biting mosquito to remove it, avoiding forcing it's stomach contents back into your skin.
• We reviewed the safety records for the private airline and ferry boats we considered using.
• We read other traveler's reviews of the resort and common tourist attractions/activities.
• We read local news stories to assess known crime problems and potential safety issues.
• We read about local wild life. There are some snakes, including poisonous ones, so we coached the girls on identifying and avoiding them. (We have more poisonous snakes at home in Texas.)
• We researched the island and learned that the Caribbean reef sharks that habitat the area stay outside the reef that surrounds the island, though small barracuda are commonly seen in the deeper waters around the island.
• We coached our girls on staying together at all times, staying out of the ocean after dusk, and leaving the shiny baubles behind when in the water.
• We previewed restaurant menus to ensure there were foods we could eat.
• We asked others we knew who'd been there previously about what we should and shouldn't do.
• We practiced snorkeling in a safe place before heading out on a tour.
• We discussed snorkeling through currents and how to clear your snorkel without panicking.
• We planned indoor activities at the resort for after dark.

     In the end, the safety of your family is YOUR responsibility. Remember that, and take it seriously, even before you visit Disney World.