Thanksgiving Travel Safety
GUEST BLOG by Marisa Renna-Rodriguez, PA-C
As the temperature drops, be sure to plan ahead when traveling with children. If traveling by car, keep a roadside safety kit including:
- a flashlight
- batteries
- blankets
- flares
- a lighter
- matches
- a snow shovel
Keep extra water, snacks, and your cell phone charger on hand. Books, travel games, and a few favorite small toys or blankets can help keep the kids entertained and comfortable on road trips.
Bring Band-Aids and antibiotic ointment in case of scratches or cuts, plus children’s/infant’s Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and/or Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) for fever, and children’s Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for allergic reaction. Don’t forget your asthma medications including nebulizer if your child is an asthmatic and your Epi-pens if your child has a history of allergy/anaphylaxis.
Should I travel when my child is sick?
If your child has a fever, it’s best to stay home until your child is fever-free for 24 hours. Exposing your family or friends to a fevering child is not the best idea. If a loved one or friend has a suppressed immune system, your sick child should not be around them because they don’t have a lot of strong fighters to beat those germs! The common cold or other viruses shouldn’t necessarily prevent a holiday visit. Most importantly, ensure that everyone is using good hand washing and covering their mouth when coughing.
Program your pediatrician’s on-call number into your cell phone and write it down in a safe place. Research the closest hospital to your destination in case of an emergency, and remember, PM Pediatrics has 25 locations in NY, NJ, MD, and MA—all open every day until midnight.
