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Travel Health and Safety Tips for Families

Our family travel health and safety guide is filled with practical tips so that your family holiday is as enjoyable and trouble-free as possible.

Travel Health and Safety Tips for Families

Planning a family holiday is exciting, but travelling with kids can be stressful. It’s important to prioritise health and safety so everyone enjoys the trip. Fast Cover’s travel safety tips for families can help reduce potential risks so you can focus on making special memories together.

Any advice is general advice only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs.

Before You Go: Planning Your Family Holiday

Preparation and being proactive are key to a family holiday that’s both fun and safe. From selecting a family-friendly destination to packing essentials, thoughtful planning makes a big difference. Here’s what you need to consider when planning your family holiday.

Choosing a Safe and Family Friendly Destination 

When deciding where to go on a family holiday, ensure your destination meets the needs of your family. Consider factors including: 

  • Travel advice: Check the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website for up-to-date travel advisories for your destination. Check Fast Cover’s travel alerts to stay informed and updated on situations that may impact your family travel. 
  • Tourist safety: Choose destinations that are politically stable, safe and have a positive cultural attitude towards foreigners. Research common travel scams targeting tourists so that you can take steps to better prepare for your upcoming family trip. 
  • Age limits: Be aware of any age restrictions that might affect your plans. Some airlines have minimum age requirements for infants, and theme parks may limit certain rides based on age or height. Always check specific policies to avoid surprises. 
  • Access to healthcare: Proximity to accessible healthcare and medical facilities 
  • Disease risks: Opt for areas with low risks of viruses, insect-borne illnesses and food-borne illnesses 
  • Travel insurance: Check if your destination is covered by your travel insurance provider. 

For more travel tips and advice on your destination, visit Fast Covers Travel Guides and explore our guide to choosing a safe travel destination.

Family Friendly Accommodation 

Finding the right accommodation helps make travelling with kids more comfortable. Look for accommodation with the following amenities: 

  • Family friendly activities: Pick accommodation that includes supervised kids clubs with plenty of safe activities for your children to participate in.  
  • Child care: If you’re planning on using a nanny or babysitter, research the accreditation standards of child care providers. Ensure they’re qualified and well trained in first-aid, and have a good ratio of staff to children. 
  • Availability of children's furniture: Check if your accommodation provides cots, high chairs and other necessary equipment like strollers or prams 
  • Child proofing: Check if your accommodation offers child proofing including pool safety fences, outlet covers and cupboard locks. 
  • Accessibility for those with disabilities: Check for ramps, elevators and handrails. 

Family Transportation

Families often rely on multiple transport modes during holidays, so plan with safety in mind. 

  • Car seat safety: Child restraint standards differ around the world. Some countries aren’t as strict as Australia when it comes to the safety of car seats and child restraints. Baby seats are not always provided with rental cars and some countries don’t use them at all. Research the destination you’re travelling to and bring your own car seat if needed. 
  • Travel distance: Consider travel distances and whether they’re manageable for young kids.  
  • Special needs equipment: Organise transport with mobility equipment such as wheelchair accessibility, or transport for large families to help your family get around. 

Keeping Kids Safe on Road Trips

Domestic road tripping is a great way to flex your children’s travel muscles. Prepare well before you travel so you arrive safe and happy.

Before You Leave
  • Check tyre pressure/tread depth and service your car. 
  • Pack plenty of water in insulated water bottles and convenient snacks. 
  • Make sure your road assistance plan is current. 
  • Make sure every child has a proper, compliant car seat to match their age and size and ensure it is properly installed. 
  • Put visors or sun shades on the car windows to protect your children from the sun. 
  • Plan your journey to include toilet stops and breaks every two hours. 
  • Talk to your kids about the journey and explain that you will need to focus on driving. 
  • Check basic car safety equipment such as a flashlight, jumper cables, a first-aid kit, small bucket (for children who suffer motion sickness), wipes and a spare change of clothing for each child. 
  • Visit the doctor if you have a child who suffers from motion sickness. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help them. 
While Driving
  • Ensure your children wear their seatbelt at all times during the trip. 
  • Eat light, small, fresh meals. Avoid heavy, fatty foods. 
  • Drink plenty of water, and encourage your kids to keep hydrated. 
  • Pull over immediately if you feel tired. 
  • Keep the car well-ventilated to reduce the impact of motion sickness. 
  • Break up long drives with rest stops and bring a stocked aid kit for basic first-aid needs.  
  • Secure luggage properly so nothing shifts during the drive, reducing risks. 
Keeping Kids Safe While Flying

Flying can pose unique challenges for parents travelling with kids, but good preparation helps.  

  • Some airlines won’t allow newborns to fly so check with the airline before booking. 
  • Request seating where it’s easy to reach the toilet. 
  • Explain security screening to your children and that they may have to remove certain items of clothing while they walk through the metal detector. 
  • If your child has special needs, organise help from the airline and airport staff in advance. 
  • Reduce air pressure pain in the ears by breastfeeding or bottle-feeding your baby, especially during take-off and landing. Give older children a drink of water or a chewy sweet to suck on. Ear plugs may help too. 
Keeping Kids Safe on Cruise Ships

While cruises can be a fantastic choice for a family holiday, they pose unique health and safety concerns. Keep these family travel safety tips in mind for your cruise holiday: 

  • Adult supervision at all times: There are hundreds of people at a time using the ship’s pools so make sure children are supervised especially near pools, railings and decks. 
  • Age restrictions: Some areas are restricted to adults only, and children won’t be allowed in. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult in the entertainment lounges. 
  • Meeting points: Establish clear meeting points in case someone wanders off and make sure your children know their parent’s names if they need the staff’s help locating you. 
  • Protective clothing: Pack a sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen to reduce the risk of sunburn. Pack shoes with good grip to wear near pools and on decks to avoid slips. 
  • Pack a nightlight or flashlight: Ships can get very dark at night so pack a light source to avoid injury. 
  • Reduce the spread of gastro: Carry a hand sanitiser and make sure kids wash their hands often, especially after using the bathroom and before eating. 
  • Communicate allergies: Let the wait staff know if your child is allergic to certain foods, and they’ll be able to direct you to meals your child can eat. 
  • Stay hydrated: Ensure your kids keep up their fluid intake by drinking lots of water. Ships have filtered drinking water which is also used to prepare food. 

If you’re considering a cruise holiday, our Cruise Health and Safety Guide provides additional safety tips.

Communication on Family Holidays

Staying connected with your children helps in emergencies and assists to provide peace of mind. Follow these tips to stay connected on family holidays:

Charge Mobile Phones

Ensure mobile phones are fully charged before heading out, and take portable chargers along too.

Internet Access

Look into portable Wi-Fi devices, local SIM cards or eSIM options for reliable internet access, especially when travelling with kids. Download chat apps like WhatsApp so your kids can contact you via the internet.

Emergency Contacts

Set up emergency contacts in phones for quick access if needed. Make sure your children have your contact details, the local emergency details and the hotel’s details too.

Share Itineraries

Make sure everyone shares their itinerary, accommodation and tour details so they can be located or contacted in case of an emergency.

Family Health Preparations

Save yourself from hassle with health preparations before you travel including:

Consulting Your Doctor

Ensure you and your kids have a check-up and discuss whether your travel plans and activities may affect any medical conditions.

Get Prescriptions and Medical Documentation

Make sure you get enough medicine for your trip and keep a copy of your prescriptions to avoid issues at customs.

Vaccinations

Check if your family needs to update their immunisation. You may require specific vaccinations for your destination.

Read our health and safety guide for seniors for more practical health preparation tips for travelling with elderly family members.

How To Deal With Common Travel Illnesses on a Family Holiday

Dealing with travel illnesses during your family trip can ruin the experience if unprepared. Using these tips and remedies will help you manage minor issues effectively.

Motion Sickness and Sea Sickness
  • Minimise nausea by using remedies such as anti-nausea tablets or acupressure wristbands. 
  • Encourage teens to sit in the front seat during car journeys or in the middle of a boat to reduce motion effects. 
Gastrointestinal Illness / Food Poisoning
  • Address upset stomachs with over-the-counter remedies like rehydration salts and antidiarrheal medication. 
  • Stick to bottled water and peeled or well-cooked foods in areas where tap water might not be safe. 
Insect Bites and Allergies
  • Treat bites and allergies with antihistamine creams or cooling gels to reduce swelling and discomfort. 
  • Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves in areas where mosquitoes are prevalent to avoid bites. 

Documentation for Family Holidays

Organising important documents ensures you are taking steps towards a hassle-free travel. Don’t forget to organise the following documents:

Passports

Ensure you have at least 3-6 months validity on your passport and check the passport requirements for your destination

Visas

Ensure you have the correct visa for the nature and duration of your trip. Double-check visa requirements for your travel destination. 

Medical Documents

Carry physical and electronic copies of any medical documentation you may need during your trip including prescriptions and fit to fly certificates.

Itinerary Details

Carry physical and electronic copies of your flights, accommodation booking, tour tickets and proof of purchase.

Travel Insurance

Carry your certificate of insurance and know the contact details for your travel insurers emergency assistance team.

Emergency Contacts

Keep a physical and electronic copy of emergency contacts, including your travel insurer, local emergency services and your accommodation.

Travel Insurance for Family Holidays

A family travel insurance policy can help protect against unexpected events, such as trip cancellation, lost luggage or overseas medical emergencies. Fast Cover offers cover for family travel insurance policies. Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.

Planning a Family Holiday?

Learn about Fast Cover’s family travel insurance for your next family holiday.

Packing Tips for Travelling with Kids

Packing smart makes travelling with kids as stress-free as possible and ensures you have everything needed for a comfortable family trip. We’ve already covered essential documents, now here are some tips on what to pack for family trips:

Seasonal Clothing and Accessories

Pack clothing that suits the destination and planned activities. This could include: 

  • Light, breathable, clothing to help prevent mosquito bites 
  • Layers for colder climates or swimwear for beach holidays 
  • Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen 
  • Closed-toe shoes like trainers (avoid thongs for safety) 
  • Rain gear such as jackets and umbrellas 
  • Safety ID bracelets with emergency contact information 
  • A second set of clothing in case of accidents or injuries 
Baby and Toddler Gear

Travelling with young kids often means bringing extra items to make the trip smoother. Consider packing: 

  • Socket protectors for hotel outlets 
  • Drink bottles and portable feeding items 
  • A compliant car seat (if needed) 
  • A collapsible stroller for easy mobility 
  • Compact changing mats 
  • A shusher to help your child sleep 
  • Extra dummies 
Medical Supplies and First-Aid Kit Essentials

Having a stocked aid kit is useful for minor mishaps. Include the following items in your first-aid kit:

  • Pain relievers (e.g. Panadol or Nurofen) 
  • Prescription medication 
  • Nappy rash cream 
  • Band-Aids 
  • Motion sickness pills 
  • Tweezers 
  • Safety pins/Tape 
  • Antibacterial cream 
  • Antihistamine tablets 
  • Hand sanitiser 
  • Imodium or an alternative for upset tummies 
  • Probiotics 
  • Aloe Vera or after-sun lotion 
  • Berocca or Gastrolyte 
  • Sterile bandages/adhesive dressing 
  • Tropical strength insect repellent 
  • Calamine lotion 
  • Thermometer 
  • Alcohol wipes 
  • Wipes 

Remember to check if your medication is legal in your destination. You may need a permit or special customs clearance before entering the country with your medication. Check the requirements with your destination's embassy or consulate in Australia, or their website.

Safety Tips for Travelling with Children

Travelling with children can be a rewarding family experience, but it requires careful planning to ensure everyone’s safety. Prioritising these travel safety tips for families will help you avoid common risks and make your trip more enjoyable.

Allergies and Medication

  • Document allergies: Create a list of known allergies, including food allergies, and plan accordingly. 
  • Learn translations: Use translation apps to learn how to communicate allergies in the local language. For instance, phrases like “This dish contains nuts” or “Is this milk-free?” can prevent serious health issues. 
  • Pack enough medication to last the trip: Including items like an aid kit, epinephrine auto-injectors, and antihistamines. Always prepare extras for unforeseen delays. 
  • Wear medical ID bracelets: ID bracelets can assist with quick identification during emergencies and help with your treatment.  

Supervised Activities

  • High traffic areas: Supervision is critical in busy or hazardous areas such as airports, theme parks, or near water. 
  • Adult-to-child ratios: Assess kids club staff qualifications adult-to-child ratios. 
  • Meeting points: Implement a meeting point system and teach children to memorise your contact details in case they get separated during group activities. 

Beach and Pool Safety

  • Assess swimming conditions: Select calm, patrolled beaches for water-based activities. Look out for warning flags or signs about water conditions that could pose risks such as strong currents, jellyfish or shark sightings. 
  • Constant supervision: Supervise your children at all times near water, even when flotation devices are used. 
  • Follow essential swim safety practices: Swim in designated areas between flags. Apply sunscreen regularly, and use UV-protective hats and clothing. 

Luggage Management

  • Avoid overpacking: Reduce the stress of managing multiple bags. Stick to essentials and leave unnecessary extras at home. 
  • Use travel-friendly gear: Collapsible strollers lighten the load, particularly in airports or crowded areas. 
  • Free your hands: Use luggage with trolley sleeves to securely attach your carry-on luggage to your suitcase to free your hands so you can hold your child’s hand. 

Cultural Awareness and Local Laws

  • Respect local customs and traditions: Teach your children about public behaviours that are considered polite and those that are considered rude. Research proper greetings and acceptable etiquette. 
  • Familiarise yourself with local laws: Consider regulations regarding breastfeeding in public or interacting with wildlife, as these can vary greatly between regions. 
  • Restaurant etiquette: Be mindful of cultural expectations, such as child behaviours at mealtimes. 

Safety Tips for Travelling with Teenagers

Travelling with teenagers can be a rewarding experience, as they’ll likely remember the trip. Applying these travel safety tips for families will help your teens stay safe while enjoying the adventure.

Communication Strategies for Teens

  • Mobile phones: Equip teens with mobile phones that have either roaming enabled or a local SIM card or eSIM for uninterrupted communication in emergencies. 
  • Regular check-ins: Lock in a time for regular check-ins and arrange clear meeting points in case family members become separated. 
  • Hotel details: Encourage teens to carry a business card from the hotel in their wallet or purse for quick reference if they lose their way. 

Involving Teens in Planning

  • Engage teens in researching the destination: Involvement in planning the holiday can help teens identify potential scams and how to avoid them. Encourage your teens to read Fast Cover's Travel Guides to help your family learn more about preparing to travel to certain destination.
  • Local laws: Teach your teens about local laws such as the legal drinking age to help them act responsibly and respectfully.

Safe Activities for Teens

  • Booking activities: Make bookings through reputable and licenced tour operators and adventure sport companies that prioritise safety and comply with guidelines. 
  • Teen clubs: Look into teen clubs or supervised activities to keep them entertained in a secure environment. 
  • Alcohol and drugs: Discuss the importance of avoiding underage alcohol consumption and warn them about the dangers of methanol poisoning and drugs. Highlight alcohol age restrictions for your destination. 

Looking After Personal Belongings

  • Secure luggage: Stress the importance of keeping personal belongings secure at all times, using anti-theft backpacks or pouches when possible. 
  • Travel insurance exclusions: Remind teens that losing personal items due to carelessness is not covered under most travel insurance policies. 

What To Do if Your Child Gets Lost on Holiday

Children can be curious, which is what you want when they’re on holiday. But sometimes that curiosity can lead to them disappearing from right under your nose. Having a plan in place for when your child gets lost is crucial.

Before You Travel:

Dress bright

Dress your child in bright clothing so they’re easier to seek out in a crowd.

Crowd safety

Develop a plan they can follow if they become lost, such as seeking out the police, a lifeguard or a mother with children.

Meeting point

f your kids are old enough, familiarise them with a meeting point they can reach easily if they get lost.

Location sharing

Ensure your child’s phone location sharing is on and invest in a wearable tracking device for each child if possible.

Have a photo on hand

Take a photograph of your children on your smart phone before you head out sightseeing so they are easily identifiable and you know what they are wearing.

Share contact details

Give older children your mobile phone number, and younger children a card that includes your contact information, hotel address, and any emergency numbers. Make sure they know their full name, the names of their parents, and the hotel where they are staying.

Use a buddy system

If you have the same amount of adults and children in your group, assign one adult to watch one child at all times.

Share itineraries

Make sure all members of the family know the plan for the day. If the plan changes, let them know immediately.

What Should I Do If My Child Is Lost During the Trip? 

  • Don’t panic: You’ll need to focus and stay calm to find your child. 
  • Keep still for a moment: You and your child may have lost sight of one another and you won’t hear them call for you if you begin running through the crowd straight away. 
  • Ask for help: Most people around you will help if they are aware of the situation.  
  • Contact emergency assistance: Seek out a police officer or official and let them know what has happened. As hard as it is to stand and wait, do so if officials ask you to. They are trained to search for missing children. 
  • Show photos: Share the photos you took of your child so it is easy to identify them. 
  • Make an announcement: Use a megaphone or microphone to make an announcement so your child can hear you alert staff of the missing child. 

What To Do in an Emergency on a Family Holiday

Planning for the unexpected is essential for any family holiday. Preparedness ensures you can calmly and effectively tackle emergencies, from minor mishaps to medical issues. Here's how to get ready: 

Assess the Situation

Stay calm and evaluate what’s happening. If anyone is injured or unwell, prioritise their safety and move to a secure location if necessary.

Contact Local Emergency Services

Familiarise yourself with the emergency contact numbers of your destination before departure. Inform the hotel reception as they’ll be equipped to help you.

Get Medical and Police Reports

Make sure you get copies of medical or hospital reports as well as police reports. You’ll need these for your travel insurance claim.

Reach Out to Fast Cover's 24/7 Emergency Assistance

Fast Cover provides access to their 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team. With just one call, you can get professional guidance to address medical issues, hospital transfers, or major emergencies, wherever you are in the world.

Use Your Travel Insurance Benefits

Fast Cover’s policies include benefits that may help cover unexpected medical expenses or trip disruptions caused by emergencies. Always carry a copy of your policy and understand what is included. Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.

Important Contact Information and Resources

Having the right contact details on hand ensures you can act quickly during an emergency. Here’s what you should organise before you leave:

Emergency Numbers for Your Destination

Search online for local police, fire, and ambulance numbers specific to your country or visit Fast Cover’s travel guides for your destination.

Travel Insurance Emergency Contacts

Save Fast Cover's Emergency Assistance Team contact information to your phone and print it out, in case your device dies.

Healthcare

Know where the nearest hospital, clinic, or pharmacy is located at your destination.

Embassy

Note down your country's local embassy contact details for urgent matters.

FAQs

Every traveller and every family's individual needs are different, so it is important that you research travel insurance options and work out which features may be suitable for you and your families' circumstances. Some families may find that comprehensive travel insurance includes features that will benefit them, which can offer cover for trip cancellations, emergency medical expenses, lost luggage, and more.  

If you’re travelling with young ones, Fast Cover offers policies that can provide cover for families. Whilst reviewing the policy, it would be wise to look at any policy terms and conditions relating to dependants, which is the term usually used by travel insurers when referring to infants and kids (or even grandkids), and whether your dependants can be covered and what conditions you must meet to include coverage under the relevant policy. 

Check out our guide on family travel insurance policies for further information including what can be covered, as well as conditions that must be complied with for cover and some of the relevant exclusions that might apply. Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.

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