How to keep your family safe on a city break

August 9, 2019

City breaks are ideal getaways for couples, but they can be a great holiday option for the whole family to enjoy too.

Whether you want to make the most of the summer holidays or you’re looking for a weekend away together, here are our tips for planning and keeping the family safe on a city break.

Plan ahead

If you’re thinking about going on a city break with children, then planning is key. Start by researching the most child-friendly cities to visit. Speak to friends who have gone on city breaks with their children to see if they have any recommendations for where to go. Things to consider are: what’s the weather like at that time of year? Is there going to be a language barrier? If you are taking the kids, what is there for them to do? And most importantly, how safe is it? 

Pack the essentials

Once you have decided on which city to visit and made travel arrangements, it’s time to pack. It’s important to pack clothes that are suitable for where you are going. For example, it’s likely that you are going to be walking a lot in the city, so make sure everyone has appropriate footwear to avoid cuts and sprains. We recommend packing anti-bacterial wipes and hand sanitiser. Also, remember to pack any medication if any of the family has allergies or medical conditions, and don’t forget to pack the sun cream, just in case. 

A bag sitting on top of a table

Travel safely

If you’re travelling with kids on an aeroplane, make sure they drink regularly as they can get dehydrated in the low humidity from the cabin air. If you’re renting a car to explore, remember to ask for child seats beforehand, and always wear seatbelts in a car. When you’re boarding a bus or train, decide who is getting on first and last so no one gets left behind or has a strop because they thought they were going first! And if you’re on foot, remember to cross at designated pedestrian crossings and only when it is safe to do so (in Germany it’s the law).

Book child-friendly accommodation

When it comes to booking accommodation, make sure you do your research. It’s worth considering the location of the accommodation – is it accessible via public transport? Will you have far to walk to the centre? Hotels in the city can include multiple floors, so if you have small children, you may prefer to stay on the ground floor or no higher than floor four. You might also need to enquire about cots or bed shields too. Once you have arrived at the hotel and checked into your room, make sure the locks and windows are safely secured so children can’t tamper with them. 

Consider booking during low season

Summer in cities abroad can get very hot and uncomfortable, especially in congested streets, so it’s worth considering booking a city break in the Autumn months when it’s much cooler. If you do have to travel during high season, make sure you are prepared for the hot weather. Apply sun protection factor of 15 or higher, even on cloudy or overcast days, to avoid sunburn, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and take regular breaks away from the sun. The sun is at its highest between 11am – 3pm so it might be worth finding an indoor air-conditioned activity to do inside during these hours. 

Keep your kids in eyesight

If you’re wandering around busy cities, make sure everyone sticks together and keep children close by holding their hands and making sure they don’t walk off. Have a plan in case you get separated, for example, choose a meeting point if one of your children were to lose you or ‘always go back to where we saw each other last and stay there’.

Once you’ve arrived, make sure your kids understand and remember safety rules on the city break. Remind them of the importance of wearing sun cream, following your instructions when riding on public transport, and what they should do if you were to get separated. If one of you does have an accident on a city break, remember to seek medical attention as soon as possible and report the accident immediately. 

A close up of a toy

Author Bio:

Thompsons Solicitors has helped thousands of British holidaymakers to secure compensation for foreign injury claims. Not only do we secure compensation for holiday accident victims, but we also share tips and advice on how to stay safe and avoid an accident through our Travel Safe campaign. 

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