Family vacations are a great way to get away from the usual routine while also strengthening family bonds. As fun as traveling can be, however, it doesn’t come without risks, especially when your family has small children. Next time you and your family hit the road, remember these great safety tips to make sure everyone stays safe on vacation.

When you’re hundreds or thousands of miles away from home, it’s much harder for friends and family to check up with you to make sure you’re ok. Sharing your itinerary with a friend, family member, or neighbor allows people you know to follow your progress, and to check in if you’re not where you’re supposed to be.

Hotel rooms can have a lot of sharp corners, electrical outlets, and other things that are a danger to young children. If you’re traveling with a baby or a toddler, bring along supplies like foam or outlet covers that you can use to childproof the room while you’re staying there.

Falls and cuts can happen anywhere, especially with kids in tow. Finding help in an unfamiliar place can be difficult, especially if it’s a place where you don’t speak the language. Bringing a first aid kit with all the basics – bandages, disinfectant, etc. – will allow you to clean and care for minor wounds wherever you’re traveling.

When traveling away from home, make sure your kids know not to share details about your family or where you’re staying with strangers. Most people you encounter on a trip will be perfectly nice people, but you never know which ones are looking to take advantage of innocent-looking tourists or their kids.

Older kids may balk at the idea of being tethered to their parents for the entirety of a vacation, but it’s always a good idea to make sure your kids are where you can keep track of them while staying in a strange place. Older teens may be able to handle themselves for short periods, but it’s always better to err on the side of caution while traveling.

No matter how attentive a parent you are, you can’t keep an eye on every member of your family every second. Whenever you get to a new stop on your vacation, set a meeting place where family members will go to look for each other in case they get separated.

Another great safety trick while traveling with kids is to give them a picture of family members in case the family gets separated. That way they have a visual aid they can use to show people they encounter who they are looking for, and what they look like.

In 1967, Scenic Airlines flew the first aerial sightseeing tour over the Grand Canyon. Since that day, we’ve been helping travelers from around the world experience the wonder of one of nature’s greatest landmarks. Learn more about our ground and air Grand Canyon tours at www.scenic.com.