Unless the entire vacation is going to be spent locked in a hotel room and lobby, chances are, the family is going to encounter some local wildlife. Fortunately, the vast majority of wildlife is harmless.

The most dangerous animal in the world, statistically speaking, is the mosquito. Most breeds of mosquito come out at dusk and remain active throughout the night. Mosquitos can spread encephalitis, deng fever, and most commonly, malaria. When travelling in areas with lots of mosquitos, make sure to use a good repellant (test it first for allergic reactions), loose clothing, and netting over the bed. Pay special attention to the ankles, because tube socks can prevent quite a few mosquito bites.

Other dangerous insects include scorpions and spiders. Make sure your children know not to go flipping rocks and rotten logs hunting for treasure, because the treasure they find might bite! Fortunately, most scorpions and spider stings are not deadly.

Other insects, like fleas, ticks, bees, and ants, are generally more nuisance than dangerous. The exception to this is allergic reactions. If your child is allergic to insect stings, be prepared for it with antihistamies or epi pens.

The second most dangerous animal in the world…is the dog. Don’t let children pet or play with dogs they don’t know. Besides the risk of rabies, some dogs might have a short temper, and dog teeth can do quite a lot of damage to small hands. Cats and kittens, too, can do damage or spread disease with scratches or bites.

Make sure your children understand the difference between Winnie the Pooh and the family of bear in the wilderness. Sure, the cubs look fun and playful, but they can still do a lot of damage, and there’s always momma bear to contend with.

Under no circumstances should children approach a bat. More than half of the rabies deaths in the last thirty years have all been traced to bats.

Sometimes the kids have to fly alone. Maybe because it’s too expensive for the parents to fly a round trip to drop off the kids with grandma, or maybe there’s an emergency where the parents have to put the child on the plane by themselves. Regardless, there are times when the kids have to fly by themselves.

Fortunately, the airlines recognize that this situation happens, and they do try to assist the parents as best they can. Most airlines will assign a flight attendant to the child, and that person will make sure the child is comfortable on the flight, makes his connection to the next flight, and will hand the child off to the responsible adult at his destination.

If you need to send the child on his way, think ahead. Don’t saddle the kid with carry on baggage that weighs as much as he does. Try to pack light, with perhaps just a backpack containing a change of clothes and some favorite books and toys. Don’t forget medications and contact information, either. The child shouldn’t have to remember the name, address, and phone number of the relative he’s going to visit; he should be able to just hand over a sheet of paper with all of that information.

Think about security, too. You might want to establish a code word, a secret password that only the relative on the far end will know. Besides the obvious—“yes, this is the right grown-up”—the code word will also help to comfort the child, as a link to his parents (“My parents really did talk to them and give them the secret word, that means they know where I am and everything is going to be okay.”).

Most of all, reassure the child that they will make it to their destination safe and sound, and return home when the trip is done.

Childhood food allergies can be deadly. Take care to protect your child while traveling.

If possible, make sure your child knows and understands the foods they are allergic to and what happens when they eat that food. If traveling to visit friends or family, be sure to inform them of the child’s allergy. Ask them to be diligent in reading labels while your child is visiting.

Some airlines list flight meals on their website. Most airlines provide special meals for those with food allergies, if you notify them in advance. Check with your airline for details. However, there is no guarantee that your meal will not be prepared or come in contact with something you are allergic to. Avoid potential problems on the road or airplane by making and packing trip snacks yourself.

When eating out, be sure to ask servers about offending ingredients and avoid roadside stands and unlicensed eating establishments.

Different countries have different food labeling laws. Make sure you know the labeling laws and customs for the country you are visiting. Also, you and your child must know how to effectively communicate the name of the food and severity of the allergy in the language of every country you visit.

The food allergic child should wear medical alert bracelet at all times. In an emergency, parents my not be available to give information to medical personnel.

Carry your child’s allergy medication and emergency injectable with you at all times. The medications should go where ever the child goes.

Keep doctor’s phone number and local emergency numbers handy.

If traveling out of the country consider purchasing pre-printed cards with your child’s food allergy information printed on them. You order cards from a company called Select Wisely. Cards come in many languages and cover any allergy or combination of allergies.

After a long drive, a nice, quiet night in a hotel room sounds perfect. Unfortunately, after that long drive, the toddlers might not see it the same way. If parents don’t want to wake up in a room decorated in Early Baby Wipe with Hotel Shampoo accents, a bit of baby-proofing might be in order before settling down to sleep.

First, take anything that can be opened and sprayed or spilled, like the tiny hotel soaps and shampoos, and move it out of reach. You might leave the bar soaps as a distraction, since a couple of scattered soap bars are a cinch to pick up compared to finger-painting in conditioner. Likewise, move any toxic or messy substances you brought with you out of reach, as well. Check the dresser drawers, too, for things left in the room that could be torn up, or for helpful items like pens and notepads that could be used for redecorating.

Bring along a pack of baby electrical outlet plugs, so that any free electrical outlets can be locked down. Check for lamp power cords that reach out where small fingers can yank on them, and double-check the settings on air conditioners and heaters.

You might consider blocking off a play and sleep area with luggage, depending on the child’s climbing ability. Also, keeping the bathroom door shut at all times might not be a bad idea either. It’s much easier to contain the child before, than clean up after.

Make sure the child can’t open the front door, and if he can, keep it locked from the inside. Make sure that all windows are locked and can’t be opened far enough for toddlers to squeeze through.

A few minutes of forethought should be enough to make sure that every member of the family can spend a safe and comfortable night in the hotel room.

Over the last several years, airport security measures have changed quite a bit. If you haven’t flown in a while, there are a few things you should know.

Strollers, car seats, toys and all other objects must go through the security X ray machine. Fold your stroller and make sure to remove small toys or other items from storage pockets before putting it on the conveyer belt. Put them in the plastic bins provided This way nothing gets lost. Make sure to warn your child about the process and reassure them you will get your items back.

Never put your car seat through the metal detector with your child still in it

When going through the walk through metal detector, you will probably need to remove your baby from sling or baby carrier so the baby carrier can be inspected.

Instruct your children to empty their pockets before going through the metal detector, also remind them that the security check point is not the place for games or loud, boisterous behavior.

Have your older child go through the metal detector in front of you so that you can keep visual contact with her/him. Carry younger children.

You are not allowed to pass your child to anyone else while you are going through the metal detector.

If the metal detector goes off and you are carrying your child, both you and the child will further examined by security. You will probably be asked to remove your shoes and they may scan you and your child with a wand.

Never hand your child to the security guard to hold.

If traveling with a baby or toddler, you are able to carry breast milk or formula in your carry on bag.

You can request a private security screening if you are traveling with more than one child, or if your child has a disability and requires special care.

If you’re looking for destinations in Europe, Paris should be near the top of the list.

Like any trip, be sure to plan ahead.  September is the busiest month for tourism in Paris, so book your hotel room well in advance.  You can visit after September, of course, but if you do, pack extra raincoats and umbrellas, because you will definitely get rained on.

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Traveling abroad is a great learning experience for kids and parents. Here are 10 tips to help keep your family safe, and ensure everyone has a great time.

1. Fill out all emergency information on your passports. Make sure family members wear their passport on their body at all times. Children should carry the phone number and address of at least one trusted adult back home.

2. Read, understand, and follow all travel warnings issued for the area you are visiting. Do not travel to unsafe areas.

3 .Make two copies of everyone’s passport id page. Carry one copy with you in a separate place from your passport, and leave the second with a trusted friend or family member back home. Parents should carry additional copies of children’s passports.

4. Always carry current photos of your children with you.

5. Leave a copy of your travel plans with family or friends at home. Include hotel names and phone numbers. Have your children carry a copy of travel plans with them, as well.

6. Learn local laws and customs before you leave for your trip. Be sure your children understand them as well.

7. In airports, bus depots and train stations, never leave your luggage unattended. Instruct your children not to touch other people’s luggage, or pick anything up from the floor.

8. If you will be in a foreign country for more than two weeks, contact the embassy or consulate in that country. This will make it easier for officials to find you in case of emergency back home.

9. Do not wear expensive jewelry, or clothing that stands out. Don’t carry more money than you will need. Consider credit cards or travelers checks.

10. Make sure you exchange money at authorized places. If you have any questions or get in trouble, contact the closest embassy.