When packing for a family vacation, don’t forget to bring a travel first aid kit and some safety common sense. Sometimes injuries happen while on vacation because families are relaxing and don’t take the precautions they normally would at home. You can create your own travel first aid kit and place the items in a plastic container to keep moisture out.

Travel First Aid Kit Checklist:

Acetaminophen such as Tylenol or ibuprofen such as Advil for mild aches, pains and fever

Non-stick bandages, gauze, tape and antibiotic ointment for cuts and blisters

Eye wash for dust and other irritations in the eye, and ear wash for swimmer’s ear

Antihistamines such as Benedryl for airborne allergies and itchy rashes

First aid tools such as tweezers and a small pair of scissors

Your child’s prescription medication

Since summer involves activities in the sun, parents should protect children from overexposure to the sun and avoid serious sunburn.

Use a sunblock made for children with an SPF rating of at least 15. If swimming, use waterproof sunblock. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 90 minutes or according to sunblock directions.

Shield sensitive skin on the shoulders, chest and back with a T-shirt.

Have children wear a hat with a wide brim to protect and shade their face.

Sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection are a good idea.

Even with all the precautions, it’s a good idea not to let your child stay in the sun too long especially between 10:00am and 4:00pm.

There are a few other precautions parents can take to ensure their family’s summer vacation is a safe one. For example, if summer vacation includes a trip to an amusement park, ball park or any area with a large crowd, extra steps should be taken to make sure a child doesn’t get separated from his family. Parents should carry current photos and descriptions of their child, such as height and weight. A child should also know the full names of his parents and that he should go to the nearest park employee if he is lost. Finally, parents should designate a common meeting place if anyone gets separated from the group.

Additional Summer Safety Tips from leading Pediatric Experts can be found at www.choa.org.