Summer holiday perils - how to avoid them - we need your tips asap...

[AbbyMumsnet]

We've been asked to help pull together some tips on avoiding 'the perils of the summer hols' - all those accidents from cuts and grazes to more serious incidents. If you've got any top hints or tips for dealing with this sort of things - from hints on canny treatments to distraction or soothing tips - please post them up here ASAP.

Thanks all.

This is quite a serious one - don't let children dig big, deep holes in the sand - it can be very dangerous as they can collapse. No one should dig a sand hole deeper than their own knee-height. I know, it's no fun at all.

To distract them from that, challenge them to make a sand car or boat.

My other tip is always take a few big, light, cheap cotton sarongs on holiday. hardly any space or weight, but they have loads of uses - beach mat, emergency towel, windbreak or privacy screen, skirt/dress cover-up for you or cosy wrap for chilly kids on the beach, kids can use them to make dens, etc etc etc.

go on amazon and buy as many sticker books as you can find for flights and restaurants with in laws who can make a meal last for 4hrs, relaxing for some members of the party but tad too much for a 2yr old tho.
also took pretend camera, happyland people and lots of play doh-play doh ok going out of english airport in sealed container but not allowed bk from france when had been opened.
dont take bubbles for the airport and arrive late and have to chuck them away as you rush thru security, 2yr olds can have large tantrums about that and clean the floor at security with their new cute pink jojo outfit by rolling around a lot and screaming.
if you're hiring a car take some cds from home for children.
DO NOT FORGET SHOES IF PUTTING SLEEPING CHILDREN IN AN AIRPORT TRANSFER TAXI

always have an empty tissue box in the car
useful for sudden vomit and as a rubbish bin

LOLOLOLOL starlightM

Genius

You do realise that the hordes of PC Mnetters will now descend on you and accuse you of scarring your kids for life?

Do you think it would work if we pretended that we had packed all the bags? Not sure that I can actually face packing and unpacking more than absolutely necessary.

My DC know we are going away the minute school's out so i think they'd smell a rat if I had to pretend school had reopened for a week just for them!

But I love the idea of actually packing a week ahead. Might try that.

My tip is try to have any accidents within easy reach of an icecream seller. Ice for the wound and a lolly for distraction works every time.

Pack Avon "Soft and Fresh" body oil spray in the green one to protect against midge bites (esp in Scotland).

Go to The Works and buy their 4 for £5 sticker books and Tescos for their cheap as chips write on-wipe off activity books to while away rainy evenings when camping!

Huw there aren't E111s at all any more it's all European Health Insurance Cards (www.ehic.org.uk) which don't expire. Which I suppose makes a new tip to make sure you've all got an EHIC.

Get travel insurance as well as an EHIC, in case someone needs to be flown home after an accident.

dont haev unprotected sex?
r dont haev sex
row all the time

dont use a sat nav near calais it sends yo across fields

DO haevone huge row in a campsite thateveryone can enjoy- its your duty.(thansk to the northern couple last year - she did huffy tidying)

dont (my dad ) say to a policeman " ou est le N three five two"

Thanks for the clarity SM!

write down credit card numbers and passport numbers and give to relative. Also xerox passport.

when hiring a car abroad be awre of the collision damage waver
if you do not pay for the excess you will be charged for any damage to the car.
often this can be up to £20 per day of the hire if you choose to pay it to the company
The alternative tip i would like to pass on is to buy excess insurance from a company at home
here are a couple i have used recently
worldwideinsure.com
or carhireexcess.com

also when taking out travel insurance make sure you are covered if you are hurt in a car hire accident.Many policies do not cover this.

lastly if you have a pre existing medical condition you may have to decalre this on your holiday insurance. You can now do this online at a few insurers.My diabetic policy this year www.getmy.com/Travel/index.php?referrer=DIR&mc=7565#\was with these guys}
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getmy.com

The whole family should wear matching cagouls to avoid getting lost.