Vacation is normally a time when you want to relax the rules and take it easy. But you can't afford to let your guard slip too much if you're traveling with children. Putting children into an unfamiliar situation, away from home, greatly increases the chances for accidental injuries. And, unfortunately, precautions also need to be tightened to protect your children from the dangers of today's society.

Here are some recommendations to help you avoid potential trouble and protect your children without making a vacation unbearable for either you or them. Whether your children are just starting to walk or already in their teens, a little preparation can help your whole family travel smarter and safer.

Before You Leave Home

• Doors that open to an interior hallway rather than directly to the outside are safer for young children.
• Warn your children about strangers without being too frightening and let them know that it is okay to yell as loud as they can any time they feel threatened.
• Ask a neighbor to act as a home base contact. Make sure the children know the name and phone number.

In the Car

• Children must ride in safety seats or use seatbelts, and sit in the back seat if possible.
• Many car rental companies will not rent to anyone traveling with a child under the age of 5 unless that child is in a federal approved child restraint seat which is rented or provided by the renter.
• If your car is equipped with childproof safety door locks, use them.

At the Hotel

• As soon as you arrive, scan the room from a child's eye view. Look for dangers such as Venetian blind cords, unprotected windows, loose screens, and electrical items.
• Show the children how to dial the hotel operator in an emergency.
• Set up a procedure for answering a knock on the door. A family code word is safer recognition signal than "Mommy" or "Daddy."

Out and About

• Make sure children understand the importance of not wandering off alone, where they can be vulnerable targets.
• In larger family groups, establish a buddy system.
• Set a time and place for all family members to meet in case you should accidentally become separated.