Safety shouldn’t come at the expense of enjoying a family trip.

To ensure that you and your family go back home with only fond memories from your vacation this Holy Week and all the succeeding long weekends for the year, it’s a must to brush up on safety tips and reminders, especially if you have a toddler with you.

Here are a few:

As a rule of thumb, research on your destination beforehand.

Teach your child to ask for help.

Clothes and accessories on display look harmless, but when placed on bases with little support, a curious child could be at a risk for injuries.

While it’s a must to teach your child independence, you can always remind him or her to ask for your help when something they fancy is out of their reach. Displays can topple over and you might end up going home with an injured child.

In case they get separated from you, train them to approach a security guard for help. Place your number inside your child’s pocket so you can easily be contacted. This rule can be applied anywhere you are, even in out of town vacations.

Be mindful when taking the escalator.

Kids may be afraid to take the escalator because of heights or being caught in between steps. Address these fears by staying close to your child, holding your child’s hand firmly, and reminding them to watch their step.

Checking your child’s clothing, shoes, and accessories before and while riding the escalator can also help lessen accidents. Be mindful of any drapes from your child’s skirt or pants and their shoelaces which can get caught in the metal steps.

When carrying a stroller, take the elevator.

If your toddler is on a stroller, it’s best to take the elevator instead of the escalator. Since an escalator’s step cannot support the entire stroller, the instability can put your kid to danger. Taking the elevator may ask you to take a longer route to your destination, but choose to take them anyway for safety purposes.

Remind your child to not accept anything from a stranger.

Sweets, food, and toys are very enticing for kids. Let them know they have a baon if you prepared one, or you will get them what they like within house rules and budget. Mention that they shouldn’t accept anything from an unfamiliar face.

Do your research beforehand. 

This tip is applicable for all destinations you have in your itinerary. For hotels or home rentals, you need to research on the indoor and outdoor flooring so you’ll be prepared with the right footwear for your kids. The wrong footwear can cause your child to slip or stumble.

Childproof the area. 

Bring your trusty childproof items to temporarily cover outlets within reach or to protect your child’s head from bumping on edges of tables or chairs.

Keep appliances out of reach.

Hotels and home rentals may have some handy appliances free for use as part of their amenities. Keep them out of your child’s reach and remember to put them back where you found them before leaving the area.

Be mindful of how doors lock.

There are many incidents of kids getting locked inside bathrooms and bedrooms during a vacation, so best to check how all the doors lock before asking your kids to stay by themselves for a while should you need to attend to a quick errand.

Survey the area before allowing your child to play.

Check if your kid can handle the equipment with little to no help. Some playgrounds are friendlier for toddlers, while some cater to older kids more. Guide your child to use playground equipment designed for his or her age.

Also, check if the floor’s surface can help soften impact once your child falls. Prefer playgrounds with rubber mats or sand if you have smaller kids.

Always check the slide first, and avoid going down the slide with your kid.

Clear the slide of any objects sticking out from under it. Also, check the surface of the slide if it’s situated outdoors. It might be too hot for your child to sit on.

Remind your child to slide feet first instead of head first for extra safety. Avoid going down the slide with your kid too as this heightens the injury and danger to the child.

Always have extra pair of eyes to watch your kid.

Get an extra pair of eyes to help keep watch on your little one. It would also help to locate lifeguards before swimming.

Define boundaries in swimming and playing.

Remind your older kids to stay within the allotted swim zone, and any specified area for playing.

Walk your kid from your beach hut to the beach – and back.

While it’s imperative that you stay beside your kid at all times, a lot could happen in crowded beaches. Teach your child where they can find you and your family members should they ever lose sight of you.