Have First Aid, Will Travel
Safety tips for family vacations
BY COURTNEY MCGEE
E very family has tricks of the
trade when it comes to
successful travel. And many
emerge only after getting
something wrong. Road-trip fails
have taught me: to bring the portable
training potty (lined with grocery
bags and napkins) for emergency
preschooler pit stops; to keep a trash
bag in the back seat (doubles as
a barf bag); to pretest sunscreen for
allergic reactions before investing in
a week’s supply; and to bring our
own nightlights and bedrails.

What do you need to know before
your family travels this summer?
We asked two physicians who work in
popular destinations for their health
and safety advice.

Dr. Kevin Bristowe, medical director of
emergency services at Beebe Medical
Center in Lewes, Delaware, receives
a steady stream of Delmarva coast
visitors every summer. Back, shoulder
and head injuries are common when
beachgoers are not watching the surf.

“They may turn their backs for a
minute and be knocked down,” he
says. “There are also a number of
people treated for neck injuries from
diving in shallow water.”
Experienced pool swimmers should
stay vigilant of the different dangers
that ocean swimming presents. “Know
your surroundings, pay attention to
waves, swim in areas supervised by
a lifeguard when possible, and don’t
dive into unknown water,” Bristowe
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cautions. Other obstacles to avoid
include bodysurfers, boogie boarders,
sandbars and fishing lines.

“Fishing from the beach at the
(Delaware Seashore State Park) is
a great activity. However, this is a
surfing beach, and often fishhooks
can be lost here. When wading in the
surf, it is a good idea to wear a water
shoe or other protection for your
feet to prevent being cut by an old
hook or other sharp metal object,”
Bristowe says. “You may also need
a tetanus shot.”
Cycle safely
It’s fun — and good exercise — to
ditch the car for smaller wheels at the
beach, but it is important to dress and
gear up appropriately, Bristowe says.

“Numerous injuries are caused simply
because a cyclist isn’t wearing a
helmet. Flip-flops can get caught in
pedals or chains and cause you to fall.”
Beach-bound cyclists should wear
sneakers or other shoes that protect
their feet. “If you are riding at night,
wear light-colored or reflective
clothing,” Bristowe says. “Be sure to
have a light so you are visible to
motorists.” And he adds, stay alert
— don’t wear headphones and don’t
text while cycling.

“Remember, cyclists are to follow the
same rules that drivers follow. That
means stopping at stop signs, signaling
before turning, etc.,” Bristowe says. Of
course, parents can get their children
to wear helmets by wearing their own
as well.

Imgorthand/E+/Istock/Getty Images
Watch the water



Falls are common
The leading cause of summer visits to
Beebe Medical Center? Falls, Bristowe
says. “Visitors check into their rental
home, and within hours they end up in
the emergency room. In many cases,
the kids are jumping on beds while the
parents are unpacking, and either the
child falls off the bed, hits his or her
head on a low ceiling or bumps into a
sibling.” In other cases, adults who are
unfamiliar with new surroundings
take a tumble at night while moving
around a dark house.

Wet, slippery surfaces, rocking boats,
inadequate balcony railings, bunk
beds, spiral staircases and cocktail-
induced unsteadiness add to the
lengthy list of fall sources, he says,
advising that a little extra caution goes
a long way.

Preparation is key
Dr. Lisa Brennan, pediatrician with
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
in St. Petersburg, Florida, suggests
parents research potential dangers and
hazards of their vacation spots. For
example, many people don’t realize
how common stingray stings are in the
shallow Florida waters, she says.

Brennan also advises parents to check
for a pediatric urgent care or hospital
ER for children close to their
destination, and then store that
information in their phones.

Always stay mindful of the sun’s
strength, Brennan says, especially
when on a boat or breezy beach or
playing in the water. Parents may not
realize the sun’s intensity until they or
a child has second-degree burns.

Brennan is a mom of young triplets,
so she knows how to lay down the
law when it comes to enforcing safety
rules on vacation, which is supposed to
be a fun, whine-free time. “Children
will push the limit on these, but it is
our job as parents to keep them safe,
and some things are just non-
negotiable,” Brennan says. “No
sunscreen? OK, no beach time. No
helmet? No bicycle riding. No life
jacket? Then, no boating.”
Prepare children ahead of time, she
says, making repetition part of the
process. For example, Brennan says
parents can prep their children by
saying, ‘Tomorrow, we are going on
a boat ride to see dolphins. We are
going to be wearing life jackets so
that we can have a fun time and know
that we are safe.” Keep dropping
reminders in different ways leading up
to each activity.

Plan for what you can, and discuss
rules and emergency plans with
your whole family in advance,
Brennan says. This way, the family
is prepared; there is no need to worry
about “what if,” and families can
enjoy their time together.

For the Road
Pack these parent tips from mobile moms and dads who have
learned on the go.

>> “Having current insurance cards, doctors’ numbers and a prescription list,
especially if you are traveling with older parents, helps hospital staff.”
— Clay Stambaugh
>> “On our family vacations, we’ve had Lyme disease, pneumonia, a febrile seizure,
an asthma attack, stitches and a torn Achilles’ tendon. Definitely be well-versed in
your insurance’s out-of-state ER policy.” — Alexandra Bull
>> “Before heading out (maybe when putting on sunscreen), snap a quick family photo
so you have a current picture of everyone and what suits they are wearing in case
someone gets lost on the beach.” — Drew Wagner
>> “Get trip insurance! For minimal expense, it gives you peace of mind.”
— Marissa Rutzebeck
>> “Common troubles are sunburn, sun poisoning, dehydration and injuries caused by
boogie boards or those rafts with cords that tangle on arms or legs.”
— Mary Mitcherling, RN
>> “When I was a beach lifeguard, we called the ambulance daily for someone slicing
their foot open on shells.” — MaryBeth Bevacqua
>> “If you are staying at a resort, check to see if they have a doctor on call or a
concierge who can help you get prescriptions filled if needed.”
— Lisa Mathias
>> “Walk your kids to the lifeguard stand and introduce them. It gives them an extra
point of reference in a crowd and personalizes your kids to the guard.”
— Becky Conley
>> “Take pictures on your phone of insurance cards, prescription lists and schedules,
passports, etc. to have backup copies of information handy.” — Michael Fitz-Patrick
Further resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
cdc.gov/family/kids/summer/index.htm Find helpful data on water safety, sun precautions and how to avoid heat-related illness,
playground injuries and pesky mosquitos and ticks.

American Academy of Pediatrics
healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/Travel-Safety-Tips.aspx Find searchable tips on airport security, car seats, germ control, international vaccine
requirements, jet lag and a checklist for travel-safety kit items and more.

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