5 tips for safe travel with your family
Are you planning your next family holiday? The great thing about traveling with your family is that it can open up new experiences and generate incredible memories. Family travel offers everyone the opportunity to explore cultures, meet new people, and enjoy diversity together. But if you don’t do your research and put safety at the top of your list, then your fantastic family travels can quickly turn into a nightmare.
It’s easy to forget that our beautiful world also has many hidden dangers. And families will need to put safety front and center when planning their travels. To keep everyone as safe as possible when traveling, Pacific Prime Singapore’s article has a few essential tips to help ensure safe travel with your family.
1. Planning is key to safety
If you’re going on a trip with the family, it pays to have a good plan in place. Depending on your destination, there may be several things you have to do, such as getting to the airport, traveling via public transport, or exchanging currency.
Sometimes things don’t go according to your family’s initial plan, so it’s great to have a contingency plan to fall on. When planning, it’s also worth having everyone involved so that if the worst happens, then all of your loved ones will know what to do. Get talking, get planning, and get ready for all eventualities.
2. Secure travel insurance
You have probably heard of this tip a million times over, but it’s vital that your family secures travel insurance for any planned trip. Life as we know it is uncertain, and things can unexpectedly happen. An effective travel insurance plan can provide financial protection and peace of mind while ensuring your valuables are covered if they get lost or stolen.
Given how airlines can cancel without notice and accidents are prone to happen, travel insurance should be the minimum form of insurance you should have when traveling. Customizable benefits such as inpatient and outpatient coverage are also worth paying attention to, as they can help offset medical costs when away from home. Travel plans often come with limits, though.
Families often supplement their travel insurance plan with a comprehensive health insurance plan too. The latter typically comes with a broader range of health benefits, as well as higher limits. This way, you don’t have to worry about paying out of pocket for your medical expenses. If you are unsure of the type of policy to get, then reach out to Pacific Prime Singapore’s trusted advisors here.
Further reading: Traveling with your family: stay safe
3. Learn first aid and pack a basic medical kit
At least one family member should know basic first aid and manage the family’s medical kit. Accidents are prone to happen anytime and anywhere, especially for your children if they are young and love exploring. Trips to remote places like a mountain range or the countryside could result in your children (or even yourself) tripping over and grazing your knee, palm, or worse – fracturing your ankle. With this in mind, it’s best to play safe by being prepared and having the right tools to offer first aid. Consider having the following packed for your family trip:
- Bandaids/bandages
- Pain reliever (e.g. Paracetamol)
- Gauze
- Arm sling
- Ice packs
- Antiseptic wipes/spray
- Tweezers
- Surgical (round) scissors
- Medical grade tape
- Antibacterial cream
- Allergy medication
- Disinfectant
If, in the worst case, you or your loved one falls severely ill, unconscious, or becomes immobile because of a fall or sustained injury to a limb, then having travel insurance with medical evacuation and repatriation will provide much relief. Such a benefit can give you access to transport by air or road and assistance by trained medical professionals.
Further reading: Everything you need to know about emergency medical evacuation
4. Visit your local health authority to get vaccinated for COVID-19
As of writing, countries such as the US and the UK require that travelers are vaccinated or risk being turned away or placed in quarantine facilities. At the time of writing, it is safer for families to get vaccinated. For young family members, you should check with your local doctor and authorities on the exact guidelines for vaccination.
Note: Every country has specific guidelines for international travel, and they are also subject to change without notice. Thus, should you have a destination in mind for your family trip, it is wise to check with the local embassy to get the latest news on what to do and prepare before traveling.
Get vaccinated for other infectious diseases
Apart from COVID-19, you may also want to check with your local doctor if you and your loved ones need vaccinations for other communicable diseases. Here are other vaccines to consider:
- Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccine
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP)
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) or Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella (MMRV)
- Haemophilus influenzae type B
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13)
- Varicella – the chickenpox vaccine
Learn more about vaccinations here
Further reading:
- Singapore COVID-19 vaccine update: Overseas vaccinations recognition and kids vaccinations
- Travel advice for travelers during the COVID-19 outbreak
5. Agree on meeting points if anyone gets lost
It’s possible that family members may drop out or get lost without notice. This is possible in crowded places or in big cities. Although you may have phones to call one another, young children may not possess one. Hence why it’s safer to agree on where to meet if someone gets lost.
Learn more about travel and health insurance from Pacific Prime Singapore
With over 20 years of experience providing clients with impartial advice on travel insurance and family health insurance, we are the go-to broker to help families secure tailored plans for their trips. And with a dedicated global claims team, you and your family can rest assured that things will be taken care of if the worst happens.
Contact us today!
His expert view and wealth of knowledge on insurance can also be found in his blogs for China, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
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