So you’re taking a trip with your family, and suddenly, your child is crying. Crying is normal, but this time is different. They’re claiming that they got hurt. Now what?
It’s possible that your child has an injury. We’re here to talk about what to do if you find yourself in this situation while on vacation. Read on to learn more.
Assess the Situation
When your child gets an injury, don’t panic! Stop, take a breath, and assess the situation.
If your child is young, it’s possible that they just scared themself. They may have slightly rolled their ankle or tripped. In this case, they may just need a quick break and then they’ll be ready to get up and go again.
This is the most common situation.
But what if something is actually wrong? In that case, see how much damage there actually is. Is the child bleeding? Does anything look like it’s out of place?
If you can tell that there’s a legitimate injury, it’s a good idea to get your child somewhere safe. You may need to visit a medical facility or go back to your car or hotel.
Seek Medical Care If Necessary
Not all injuries are going to be worthy of professional medical care. Most injuries can easily be taken care of with a few bandages and some ice.
That said, if you’re unsure and your child claims to be in a lot of pain, it’s better to be safe rather than sorry. Take your child to a local medical center so they can be assessed by a professional.
If your child’s injury was caused by an outside party, seeking medical care is even more important. If you want personal injury attorneys to represent you and help you collect damages, they’ll need to see evidence of a medical visit. The medical notes and bills will help your case.
If you’re in the United States, a local urgent care center is a good option. In serious cases, you may need to go to the emergency room, but note that wait times can be incredibly long in American emergency rooms so you may have to wait to get care.
If you’re traveling internationally, you should still be able to find a walk-in clinic or emergency room. If you don’t have traveler’s insurance, don’t worry. Minor medical care outside of the United States tends to be somewhat affordable even for non-residents.
Go Back to Your Lodging
Even if the injury is minor, it’s a good idea to go back to your lodging, at least for the moment. This way, your child can rest. They may feel better in a few hours.
If you’re on a large family vacation, it can be frustrating to stay cooped up indoors. Consider finding some indoor activities to do in the hotel room.
You can also split up the family so other people can still enjoy the vacation if it doesn’t bother your child. One adult should stay with the child at all times, but if there are other adults and children, there’s no reason they should stay home. It may be best for your injured child to have some peace and quiet anyway.
Pick Up Care Items
If there’s a pharmacy nearby, pick up a few simple items that can keep your child more comfortable. These will vary depending on the age of the child and their injury.
First-aid kits are available at most pharmacies. It’s always a good idea to have one on hand, so now may be the best time to pick one up. Alongside that, some over-the-counter pain relievers and an ice pack can go a long way.
If you visited the doctor, follow their instructions instead.
If your child is young, consider also picking up a stuffed toy for them. They’re likely sad that they’re missing their vacation and the toy will provide some comfort.
Ensure Your Child Gets Plenty of Rest
Rest is crucial for recovery. Resting on vacation is a challenge, but make sure your child knows that they need to take it easy if they want to heal. Encourage them to get plenty of sleep and let them know that their body works harder to heal them while they’re sleeping.
If you plan on going back out, consider renting a stroller for a young child or a wheelchair or scooter for an older child. This way, they don’t have to put any excess strain on their body.
Pick Healthy Meals
Healthy meals are also important for recovery. On vacation mode, eating healthy isn’t fun, but healthy foods are fuel for your child’s body. You don’t have to restrict all of their special vacation foods, but make sure you’re incorporating healthy options as well.
Instead of focusing on snack foods and greasy junk food, take the family to restaurants with plenty of fresh and healthy options on the menu. Make sure the whole family eats well so your child doesn’t feel left out.
Stick to Safe Activities
If you were planning on doing any extreme activities on your trip, you may have to change your plans. If your child has an injury, you want to stick to activities that won’t irritate it.
For example, if you’re out in the mountains, you may have been planning on ziplining. If your child hurt their wrist, ziplining isn’t a great option. Instead, opt for something like hiking.
Go Home Early If Necessary
If your child’s injury is severe, you may have to cut your trip short. If you drove there, it’s time to go home.
Of course, if you flew, it’s not that easy. In that case, you may want to stay at the hotel until the vacation is over. It’s unfortunate, but it’s better than putting your child at risk.
Keep This In Mind If Your Child Gets Injured While Traveling
Getting injured while traveling can seriously ruin a vacation. Keep these tips in mind just in case. Your child’s safety is what matters most, even if it puts a damper on your trip!
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