by Melanie Wood

Created on: October 26, 2008   Last Updated: October 02, 2010

Travelling with your family can be a very difficult and distracting experience, especially with young children in tow. The safety and welfare of your family-on-the-move is crucial, so make your journey enjoyable as well as safe.

An important safety tip when you are packing for your trip is to leave all clothing showing any first names at home. Yes, even if it is "my very favorite shirt". It is far too easy for a stranger with a devious agenda to call a child or even a sleepy adult traveler, luring them away. Likewise, never let your children wander in public areas, and at all times your children must always have the hand of at least parent.

Beware the backpack, as although convenient, it is a notorious travelling problem. Backpacks signal clearly to the thief behind you that you are paying much more attention to what you are looking at, rather than what you are storing in back of you. If you absolutely must use a backpack, keep nothing of value in it. Get a money belt available in most luggage stores, for passports, cash, ID, medical cards, traveler's checks, etc.

A very simple and very fun way of ensuring travel safety for your family is to buy the entire family matching bright colored "travelling clothes". Bold striped or plaid shirts work equally as well. You all will quickly spot each other in terminals, airports and on city streets.

Another safety tip for shopping is to introduce your children to the employees wearing special name badges, or the security guard's uniform and hat in a bank. Everyone needs to be clear about whom to report to in case they become separated.

The shopping safety tip can be modified when dining out. Introduce the kids to the restaurant server with these words "Billy and Sara, this is our wait person Alice. Alice is the Boss of the restaurant and if we don't use our very best behavior, she will have to ask us to leave! Alice will also help you if you should get lost." The beauty in this tip is that parents are "safely" off the hook for discipline, and everyone will reap the rewards of a perfectly enjoyable meal.

Hopefully these tips will help you come up with your own ideas on how to make your family's trips arguable as to which was the very best one! Bon voyage!

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