58 - Wednesday, August 20, 1986 -

Travel

North Shore News

TIPS FOR THE KIDS
Travelling with
children can
be easy with |
areful planning}

AT THE FIRST hint of warm

weather, millions of Canadian
families spread a map across the
kitchen table and begin making
vacation travel plans.

The following lists a number of
airline and automobile travel tips
for young families.

PREPARE AHEAD

© Regardless of how long the
trip is to be, you'll find it helpful
to make lists of errands that need
to be taken care of before getting
underway.

By itemizing pre-vacation er-
rands, such as picking up the
drycleaning or making those tele-
phone calls to the post office and
paper boy, you can avoid forget-
ting iast minute details.

Use a separate list to remember
to pack baby’s essentials: diapers,
pre-moistened towelettes, a rattle
or a favorite soft toy, clothing and
an appropriate supply of foods,
bottles and extra bibs.

TAKE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

© Whether travelling by car or
plane, make sure your safety
seat/child restraint systems are still
appropriate for each child.

Choose a federally-approved car
seat suitable for each child’s
height, weight and age, and for the
type of car you drive.

To properly protect infants
weighing up to 20 pounds, use a
reclining car seat placed in a posi-
tion facing to the rear. A reclining
chair supports the infant's head
and critical body areas.

For young children weighing up
to 43 pounds, use an upright seat
in a forward-facing position.

Make sure you read all the in-
structions supplied with the seat,
and refresh your memory by
reading them over again before the
big trip.

And don't forget to use the seat
whenever your toddler rides in the
car — even if you are only going to
the corner drugstore.

e When making airline reserva-
tions, request the bulkhead seat at
the front of the main cabin. It will
give you more room to stretch
your legs, and make it easier for
you to get in and out of the
airplane with your children.

At reservation time, check to see
if bassinets are available from the
airline, or what the airline’s policy
is about bringing a car seat on
board.

For children under two years of
age, you are not required to pur-
chase a ticket, but you will have to
hold your baby in your lap during
the flight.

{f you want to strap your child
into a safety seat in the seat next to
yours, you will probably need to
purchase a ticket for that seat.

ARRANGE FOR SPECIAL
NEEDS IN ADVANCE

© If you require special services
when travelling on an airplane with
your little one, it’s important to
notify the airline a few weeks in
advance. Some airlines may have
baby food or bottles available;
others will be happy to heat up
foods you supply.

You may wish to bring an extra
supply of baby’s favorite foods
and bottles, just in case. Having a
“care package’ of iron-fortified
dry infant cereal and strained
fruits, juices, meats and
vegetables, along with a bib, will
also mean you won't have to stop
immediately at a store to replenish
supplies when you arrive at your
destination.

For car trips, expand the ‘‘care
package’’ so you will have plenty
of baby’s favorites for a few days.

BRING ALONG YOUR
OWN ENTERTAINMENT

¢ Travel will be more relaxing if
children are entertained. Infants,
as well as young children, should
have a few favorite playthings to
help keep them occupied.

¢ To keep the older children oc-
cupied, choose from among plenty
of puppets, story bocks magnetic
checkers, cards, large-sized paper-
back activity books, paper and
crayons. Avoid playthings with
sharp points or corners.

Consider bringing an inexpen-
sive tape player and cassettes filled
with favorite stories and songs.
And don’t forget an earphone and
extra batteries.

ONE FINAL TIP

e If you have to leave any of
your little ones at home this vaca-
tion, be sure to leave the babysitter
your itinerary with phone numbers
where you can be reached each day
aud evening, and a letter authoriz-
ing any necessary medical treat-
ment for your children while you
are away.

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NEWS photo submitted

THINKING of an African safari? A stay at Giraffe Manor, headquarters of the African Fund for En-
dangered Wildlife, is an ideal place to start off. Rare Rothschild giraffes wander freely through the grounds
and can be fed by visitors. The manor is 10 mises from the centre of Nairobi.

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NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C.
985-8291