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 That’s because parents sometimes skip things like car seats and
keeping medications or weapons out of reach, according to a new
report from the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s
Hospital National Poll.
“They may be less fastidious while on vacation, leaving medications
in open suitcases or on hotel tables or not childproofing a
relative’s house,” said poll co-director Sarah Clark.
Each year, millions of families with toddlers travel during the
holiday season, leaving behind daily routines and a childproofed
home environment. The nationally representative poll asked parents
with at least one child aged 2 to 5 about recent travel habits.
Overall, 15 percent of parents surveyed said they did not put their
toddler in a car seat for every car ride on a recent trip, with the
majority of cases involving taxi or shared ride services such as
Uber or Lyft.
“Most parents recognize the fact that car seats improve safety for
their children,” said David Schwebel, director of the Youth Safety
Lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
“When they weigh pros and cons while traveling, however, I suspect
the hassles of lugging car seats and then installing them in taxis
or ride-share vehicles is the most likely explanation for parents
failing to secure their children in the safest possible manner while
traveling by car,” Schwebel, who wasn’t involved in the poll, added
by email.
About one quarter of parents didn’t remember to safely store
medications when traveling with their toddler, the poll also found.
Roughly one-third said they didn’t check to make sure cleaning
supplies, guns and other weapons were out of their child’s reach on
their most recent trip.
One-third of parents also said they failed to check the hot water
temperature before bathing their child, risking potential burns.
Approximately 40 percent of parents paid attention to medications,
cleaning supplies, weapons and water temperature during their most
recent vacation, while 3 percent reported doing none of these
things.
To prevent injuries during family vacations, parents should either
bring a car seat or rent one at their destination, Clark advised.
Many airlines allow parents to check a car seat for free, and some
ride share and car service companies can offer reservations with car
seats.
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When the trip is to visit friends or relatives, it can help to ask
hosts to put medications, cleaners or other potentially dangerous
items out of reach before toddlers arrive in the house, Clark added.
Bringing extra safety devices like cabinet latches and baby gates
can also help keep curious kids from getting into places where they
might be hurt or injured. A common cause of poisoning is household
cleaners, which are often stored in cabinets low to the ground right
at toddler level.
Parents also shouldn’t be shy about asking if there are guns or
weapons in a home they visit, and asking that these items be locked
and stored where kids can’t get them.
“Parents commonly find it difficult to imagine that something bad
could happen to their child,” said Dr. Gary Smith, president of the
Child Injury Prevention Alliance in Columbus, Ohio. “They perceive
the risk as small and do not take simple steps to prevent injury.”
In reality, changes in routine, lapses in adult supervision and
hidden dangers during vacations can all contribute to injuries,
Smith, who wasn’t involved in the poll, said by email.
Sometimes, parents may struggle to create a safe environment for
their kids because they’re visiting friends or relatives who don’t
think precautions like car seats or cabinet locks are always needed,
Clark said.
This is a good time to play the blame game and say the kid is too
curious or the pediatrician is worried about the child getting
poisoned or injured.
“You might have to accept a little pushback or light teasing, but
that’s a small price for keeping your child safe.” Clark said.
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