Summer is here, the season for vacation fun. But with skyrocketing gas prices and airlines cutting back on flights, getting from here to there may not be easy. If you're traveling with young children things can get tricky.
Samantha Boege recently traveled to Costa Rica with her three daughters. It was a great trip, but getting there was another story.
"It's hard. You're going on this once-in-a-lifetime trip to this beautiful place and you should be so excited, and instead I'm just panicked and I'm overwhelmed," she says.
If you're traveling with your kids, via plane, train, or automobile, Jamie Schaefer-Wilson, author of 'Consumer Reports Guide to Childproofing and Safety,' has some tips to make your trip go more smoothly. First, make sure you take a stroller that's lightweight.
"And don't overload it. A lot of parents like to put everything in the stroller, put things on the handle, but that could cause it to tip," says Jamie.
When flying be aware the safest place for your child is not in your lap, but in a child safety seat.
Transport Canada says you can use car seats on planes that meet the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.
A new child restraint device from Amsafe is designed for use on board aircraft. It's been recently approved for use in Canada, but check with your airline first. It has the ultimate say.
It is still legal for you to hold a child in your arms on a plane. Even though it is not the safest option. Many parents still do that because if they use a car seat they have to buy an extra ticket. Again, check with the airline.
Once onboard, be sure to put the child seat next to the window. That's to avoid blocking an emergency escape. Don't forget to pack healthy food and snacks for your child, since you can't be sure what you'll get on board these days.
When traveling by car, be aware. Booster seats are now mandatory in British Columbia for all children nine and under who weigh at least 40 pounds and are under 4 ft. 9 ins. tall.
Drivers caught ignoring the new regulations face a $109 fine.
And when traveling, toys in the car should be soft. Hard toys can actually be a danger in an accident.
Jamie says another thing to be aware of is, "Something like a sun shade that has a metal bar in it could dislodge in a crash and could injure or harm your child."
Being well prepared will mean you and your kids can travel safely and the trip will be a lot more enjoyable.
Another way to make traveling with children easier is to include them in the planning process. If you're flying, talk with them about going through security and that might mean taking off shoes or putting toys through the scanner.
On a road trip, talk about points of interest so they can be looking for them in advance.
With a report by CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen
