Essential Safety Gear for Traveling With Kids

Exploring the world with your family is a rewarding experience, but there’s always that question of “what if” in the back of your mind. 

Traveling can open your family up to a lot of safety risks, such as getting lost in a strange environment or having a medical emergency in a different country. 

Don’t let this fear keep you from packing your suitcases! Instead, pack these items along with your swimsuits and sandals to keep your trip as safe as it is fun. 

Identification Tools

Identification bracelets or necklaces are a good idea for all members of the family. This is especially true if anyone traveling with you has a medical condition or life-threatening allergies. 

Each family member needs an ID bracelet that states their name, year of birth, emergency contact number (preferably a working number of someone traveling with you), and any important medical information. 

Emergency Contact Numbers

Keep both digital and written copies of emergency numbers like the local police, medical services, and embassy contacts for your destination. 

You could even have laminated cards made with emergency phone numbers, including your hotel’s number and emergency contact information of someone back home.

If you are going to a country that speaks a language you are not fluent in, you will want the embassy’s medical emergency phone number, not the local emergency number. 

Look for the emergency number for U.S. citizens. For example, if you are in France and call 112, there might be some delay if you are not fluent in French or familiar with the area. It’s better to call the emergency number given by the embassy: 01 43 12 22 22. 

Most embassy websites have a link to this information at the top of their home page. 

Copies of Important Documents

It’s a good idea to take copies of your travel documents, such as passports, travel insurance cards, medical insurance information, and vaccination records, and tuck them in a secure luggage. 

You might also want to leave a copy of these items with your emergency contact person back home just in case. 

READ MORE: How To Secure Important Documents While Traveling

Travel Child Seats

Know the car seat regulations for your travel destination before you go. 

For example, London is stricter with its car seat recommendations than the U.S., saying car seats should be used by children until the age of 12 or until the child reaches 135 centimeters (approximately 4.5 feet) tall. This rule does not apply for licensed taxis. 

Younger children are always safer in a car seat or booster seat, though, especially if their height prevents them from wearing a seatbelt properly. 

For kids age four or older, a travel booster seat is ideal because it doesn’t take up much space and can provide that added level of safety in any car. 

If you don’t want to use a car seat on your flight, an FAA-approved harness is the next best thing for toddlers and preschool-aged children. Most are quick and easy to install before your flight and can keep your little one safer during turbulence, takeoff, and landing. 

READ MORE: Family Travel Tips for Planning Safe Ground Transportation

GPS Trackers

Apple AirTags and Jiobit devices are both helpful to keep track of your child’s location. 

The main difference between the two brands is that Apple AirTags communicate the location of the AirTag based on the proximity of an Apple device. For example, if you are in the middle of a desert with an AirTag and no Apple devices go near the tag, it won’t update its location. 

A Jiobit, however, works off of its own cellular connection, meaning it can update its location independently of nearby devices.

First-Aid Kit

No matter what type of trip you’re planning, a first-aid kit can help you avoid late-night trips to the pharmacy. 

Pre-packed first-aid kits are useful, but you will also want your kit to be stocked with baby- or kid-appropriate fever reducers, allergy medications, a digital thermometer, and ointment for bites and scratches. 

If you are flying, be mindful of liquid medication sizes and remove the scissors if you plan on taking your kit in your carry-on. 

Portable Door Alarms and Locks

Add inexpensive door alarms and locks to your packing list. 

These will give your hotel room or room rental an added layer of security, not only from intruders, but also as a protective layer to keep young children from wandering out unnoticed. 

READ MORE: How To Pack Smart for Family Travel

Travel Insurance Coverage

You can never predict when a medical emergency is going to happen, and it’s best to be prepared rather than caught off guard. 

Travel insurance can cover unexpected medical expenses, emergency evacuations, trip cancellations, and even lost luggage. 

Some insurers even have policies tailored specifically to families. For example, ​​Allianz Travel Insurance offers bundled family plans that often include discounts for children. And World Nomads allows parents to claim up to seven dependent children under their insurance policy. 

Other Tips for Staying Safe at Your Destination

Not every destination is family-friendly. Here are some tips for choosing a safe vacation spot from the get-go — or for ensuring your family’s safety anywhere. 

Research the destination

In the day of travel influencers, it can be easy to pick a destination based on its beautiful views or unique offerings, but remember: Social media only shows the highlights. 

You need to do your due diligence before you leave. Read up on whether a destination is family-friendly and know which areas should be avoided or where you should exercise more caution. 

Choose kid-friendly accommodations

Avoid looking for the cheapest place to stay. 

While a cheap hotel or hostel might be fine if you are traveling solo, you will need a place with proper safety measures, such as secure balconies, restricted access to the pool, and childproof window latches. 

Supervise kids in high-risk areas

Plan to be with your kids in higher-risk areas, such as the beach or while exploring town. Even on hotel grounds, it can be hard to know who is coming and going. 

Most hotel pools don’t have a lifeguard, and even good swimmers should be watched from a comfortable distance in case of an accident or if there is a rowdier crowd of children in the pool. 

Have a meeting point for large attractions

The more people in an area, the harder it can be to stick together. Whether you’re at an amusement park or a museum, establish a meeting point in case anyone gets separated. 

Especially at theme parks for meal time, I like to designate one person as the runner to get the food while the rest of the family sits. This helps keep chaos to a minimum when everyone is hungry and cranky,  

Teach kids emergency protocols

Explain to your children who the safest person to go to is if there is an emergency or if they do become separated. They should look for officers or firefighters — remember, these individuals can look different in other countries, so look up photos. 

Additionally, explain that safe buildings are police stations, hospitals, and large hotel chains. There is a better chance that the workers at these places speak English and have dealt with lost tourists before.

Practice situational awareness

Even if you have run through the safety details with your children several times before the trip, remind them at each attraction too. 

We tell our kids not to wander — if a shop or something interesting catches their eye, just let us know. We can either stop as a family or come back if we are on a guided tour. 

Each time we arrive at a destination, we also point out the most notable landmarks, safe people, and where we would meet if we got separated. For example, in a museum, the information desk would be the meeting spot and the safest place to ask for help. 

I would also point out what the museum employees and security look like based on their uniforms. 

Don’t let kids carry valuables

Even the most responsible kid shouldn’t be in charge of their own passport or cash stash. 

It makes it easier if one adult is in charge of all of the passports, valuables, and other important travel documents. 

Additionally, don’t allow your child to play with their passport or travel documents — a damaged or colored-on passport can cause issues later. 

FAQs About Traveling Safely With Children

TL;DR: What To Pack to Keep Kids Safe

While it does take some extra brain space to consider all the safety issues you might run into on your next family vacation, don’t forget how much fun you will have, too. 

Prepare ahead of time for the “what-if” situations by packing things like a first-aid kit, emergency contact info, identification cards, GPS trackers, portable locks and alarms, and your trusty travel insurance policy.

Having everything you need — even if you don’t need it! — will make you feel more secure in a new area so you’re able to enjoy your trip instead of stress.