June is National Safety Month and baby gear expert Hollie Schultz is telling what we need to know and do before hitting the road with the kids this summer.
1)Don't put child's name front and center.
When traveling with kids, refrain from putting your child's name prominently on their bags. This gives a stranger the opportunity to call them by name to convince an innocent child that they know them. Skip Hop Rolling Luggage is a perfect bag for the little ones to carry their own things without risking their safety by putting their name on the bag. Skip Hop Rolling Luggage ($30) and Pottery Barn Luggage ($71)
2) Bring your own car seat.
Although the FAA allows children under age 2 to be held on an adult's lap, it is best to purchase the child a seat and bring an FAA-approved car seat on the plane to ensure your child's safety. The Diono RXT is a perfect car seat that is FAA-approved, narrow enough to comfortably fit in an airline seat and folds for easy transport.
Diono RXT Car Seat ($269)
3) Medications and snacks go in the carryon.
When traveling by air, take a large bag, tote or purse with lots of pockets to carry on all your child's medications and needed snacks in case of a delay or lost luggage. The new City CarryAll by Petunia Pickle Bottom is a large, easy to clean (glazed coated cotton canvas) bag that will hold all your necessities. Petunia Pickle Bottom City CarryAll ($159)
Snacks from Healthy Family such as Happy Times Sunny Buddies peanut-free PB&J bites and Happy Yogis organic fruit and yogurt drops are perfect to breeze through the airport security, keep the little tummies full and the whining down to a minimum.
To keep your kids' nutrition on track when traveling, it's a good idea to keep Voots Veggie-Fruit Tarts in your carryon to give them extra Vitamin C. Voots supplements contain a 550mg blend of 11 fruits and vegetables and give parents a little piece of mind when travel food choices aren't the best in nutrition.
4) Bring your own play yard or travel crib. I will show the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light.
You never know when the hotel or resort may offer gear that is not up to the latest safety standards. The compact BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light 2 only weighs 11 lbs and is easy to set-up and take down making it a perfect on-the-go bed for babies and toddlers. BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light ($211)
5) TIPS WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT YOUR DESTINATION
a) Lock up Grandma's Medicine.
According to the CDC, more than 60,000 children are treated in emergency rooms each year because they swallowed medication when no one was watching and up to 20 percent of child poisonings involve a grandparent's medication. When visiting relatives (especially the grandparents!), make sure that all medications are locked up out of the reach of a child.
b) Bring Outlet Covers.
According to data from the U.S. CPSC, about 2,400 children 10 years old or younger suffer electrical injuries each year. If you are traveling with toddlers, it's a good idea to bring along a bag of outlet covers.
c) Put up the Chemicals.
Go through the grandparent's (or family member!) accessible cabinets and remove and put all chemicals and harmful substances up and out of the way of the children.
d) Check the Window Treatments.
Keep an eye out for any window treatments or blinds that have a looped cord that can ultimately pose a strangulation hazard for a small child.
e) High Locks on the Pool Door.
Family members may have a pool but may not be used to little ones running under foot all the time. When staying with a family member with a pool, always check to make sure the door to the pool is secure enough that a child can't open it. If you visit frequently, I suggest installing a slide lock higher up on the door out of reach of the small children.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOLLIE SCHULTZ
Hollie Schultz, mother of three, is the founder and President of The Baby Gizmo Company. A product testing and research coalition of moms, pediatricians and child development experts, The Baby Gizmo Company publishes Babygizmo.com, the Web's only baby product resource site featuring third party, indepth expert reviews and a price comparison engine with over 25,000 products.
Hollie is a baby gear expert and "spokesmom" who has focused extensively on baby gear for over 6 years attending baby gear tradeshows, personally reviewing thousands of baby products and having personal relationships with hundreds of manufacturers and companies.
Hollie is the host of the Baby Gizmo Video Reviews giving moms the inside look at baby products before they purchase them. Hollie is also an accomplished author. Her first book, The Baby Gizmo Buying Guide, was published by Thomas Nelson in February 2008. Hollie currently resides in Chicago. When not testing strollers on her stroller obstacle course, she fills her days with her husband and her three adorable children.
