TripMama's Guide to Travel Safety For Your Child

Letting a child travel alone is one of the most worrying things a parent can do, but this simple advice will help you be as prepared as possible. Many airlines allow children to travel alone when they reach 5 years old, but check with your airline before booking. There are a few additional risks involved when a child travels alone. For instance, children may not want to be around strangers by themselves for several hours, and may not be able to handle the bustle and noise of airline travel. Before planning a journey with a child, make sure you talk to them about what will happen, answering any questions they may have, and only travel if you are sure they can handle it. They should be told things like how to find their seat, how long the flight will be, and who to ask for help. Be sure your child knows how to act on air flights, that they should be obvious to the flight attendants, but not loud, or otherwise bringing the attention of other passengers to them. Let them know what is normal for passengers to do or say and what is not, so that they can ask for an adult when needed. You should explain fully the dangers that the child should be aware of, including: Any rude or threatening comments; inappropriate contact, bearing in mind that seats are sometimes cramped together; any attempts to get personal information about their full name, their home address, or personal details to anyone who isn't part of the airport staff.

Check that the child will be seated away from alcohol, and preferably in an empty aisle, or with an empty seat between them and the next passenger. The Airline you travel on may include special arrangements for unaccompanied children, so be sure to check. If this is the first time the child has flown alone, or they are still nervous or uncomfortable, make sure the flight is a non-stop trip. Connecting flights introduce more risks, and should only be done once the child is used to airports and flying alone. If the child is making a connecting flight, check that the airline has sufficient policy on supervising the child while traveling between terminals and while in the waiting area. Again, discuss with your child the dangers that may be present and the normal procedures they should expect.

When boarding, try to seat the child yourself, making sure they are comfortable, and that there are no safety hazards around them. Notify the lead attendant about the child and point the attendants out to the child. If anything seems awry, bring it to the attention of the attendants and try to resolve the situation until you and the child are comfortable.

Finally, make sure the party picking your child up is fully informed of the flight numbers, landing times, phone numbers, and meeting points, and that they arrive at the airport early. Also, have a copy of these instructions with the child, along with contact numbers in any clothes and bags they may be carrying. In the event that someone can't make it to the airport to meet the child, have someone else as a backup; it is important that they aren't left alone in the airport, waiting for someone to come and get them. Be sure to visit our family travel forum for any additional advice or use it as a place to express your anxiety and allow fellow parents to share their stories with you.