Although no one likes thinking about potential danger or injuries, it is your job as a parent to try the best to avoid these things. Personal injury lawyer Laurence Banville shares his thoughts here on tips for traveling with kids in urban environments. A perfect read for an upcoming summer most likely full of adventures.
Your family and children are the most precious things in the world. You do what you can to give them the best in life. One of those things is family vacation time. You might choose to travel within our own city (which attracts over a whopping 54 million visitors each year) perhaps to enjoy such historic sites such as the Statute of Liberty, or to take in some shows in midtown. Or, you may choose to go to another metropolis. Regardless of what you choose to do and see, there is always the imminent threat of injury. It’s best to be prepared ahead of time should that incident arise.
Travel: Main Areas of Concern:
According to statistics by from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the main cause of injuries for children in large cities are pedestrian-related. CDC statistics rank pedestrian deaths for children under the age of 14 as one in five.
Automobile accidents also rank high as a cause of both non-fatal and fatal incidents. Although there are risk factors involved, your time spent in a large city can be safe with advanced planning. Spending time with your children reviewing safety protocols can make a huge difference regarding their alertness in a new city.
Safety Tips for Us All:
One way to ensure the safest trip possible for you and your children is to practice good walking habits at all times. Some excellent habits to instill for someone of any age are:
- Staying on the sidewalk or designated walkways
- Crossing the street in the crosswalks versus the middle of the street
- Obeying crosswalk signals
- Avoid using cell phones or other electronics when walking on busy streets, especially with children
- If possible, wear reflective clothing at night
- Always look both ways before crossing the street even when crossing the street that has crosswalk signals
- Young children should hold the hand of their parents when crossing streets
A good source of information on pedestrian safety for children can be found on The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.
General Transportation Concerns:
If you’re traveling to a larger city from a smaller town (or part of town), you and your children will be exposed to larger volumes of traffic and vehicles you might not usually see. A good example of this is city buses. Here again, there is the possibility of injury if you should need to use them as transportation. Boarding them and maneuvering through them takes agility. You should instruct your children about:
- Standing back from the curb until the vehicle comes to a complete stop
- Entering and exiting the vehicle in a prompt fashion
- Remain seated at all times. If a seat is not available, your child should stand with you
It would be a good idea to stay away from city curbs overall unless you are preparing to cross the street. The amount of traffic in a larger city can be overwhelming. Chances are drivers are not expecting little children out and about on busy streets. In the same sense you practice being a defensive driver, you should also practice being a defensive pedestrian.
Accommodation Safety Issues:
If you are staying at a hotel in a large city with your children, there are several safety issues you should be aware of. It goes without saying that you should not let your children be in any area without you near them.
If the hotel has a pool, make sure that your child is attended to at all times. Poolside flooring can be slippery. Your child should not be allowed to run in any area of the hotel, including the pool or any other recreational sections.
There is one thing that no one likes to think about and that is a building fire. Unfortunately, such a disaster is a reality. It would be best for your entire family to know what to do in a fire. When traveling, make sure that the accommodations have adequate fire alarms and exits. If possible, make reservations on a lower floor for easier access to fire exits.
Have Fun but Be Safe!
Time spent with small children in a big city can be fun, but make sure that you and your family practice these common sense preventative tips to lessen the risk of injury.
Laurence Banville is the managing partner of Banville Law with a reputation for thorough preparation and a balanced approach to his clients. He is a down-to earth,bright, young attorney who has been honored with the “Top 40 under 40 award.” This recognition is given to the top 40 ranked attorneys across the United States who are under 40 years of age.