The holiday season is here and that often means more gatherings and travel to see loved ones or just for fun! Help keep your family healthy and protected by following these simple tips.
1) Before You Travel
Plan ahead & stay up to date on all routine vaccines.
Don’t let the winter respiratory viruses ruin your holiday fun! Get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines at least 2-3 weeks before you travel. Children under nine years old need 2 doses of flu vaccine, at least 4 weeks apart, their first season getting vaccinated. Your doctor or pharmacist can check your vaccine record to see what other routine vaccines you are due for.
Some areas may have additional disease or health risks that you can plan for. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a webpage where you can see what vaccines or medicines you may need, and what other precautions you may need to take. Check the CDC’s Traveler’s Health website for specific information about your destination.
Learn more about travel vaccines:
CDC: Need travel vaccines? Plan ahead. English | Spanish
OC Health Care Agency: Travel Immunization Clinic
Pack any prescription or over-the-counter medicines your family usually takes, including extra in case of travel delays. Include any items you think you may need, especially those that may be hard to find at your destination. Don’t forget alcohol-based hand sanitizer, masks, and sunscreen! Depending on where you are going, insect repellent may also be recommended.
2) Safe Transportation
Car Seat Safety
One of the best ways to protect your child is to make sure your child is always buckled in using a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt appropriate for their age, weight, and height. Below are the stages provided by the CDC for child passenger safety:
For more details about child passenger safety:
CDC: Preventing Child Passenger Injury: English | Spanish
Find Car Seat Check-Up Events/Locations:
Every local California Highway Patrol (CHP) office offers car seat safety checks. Contact your local office for dates, locations and details about car seats, including safety seat check events, by visiting the CHP website.
Learn about car seat safety resources:
Safety on Airplanes
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that children less than 40 pounds use a car seat or other FAA-approved child restraint system (CRS) when traveling by plane. For more information, see Flying with Children.
3) Cold Weather Skin Care
Cold weather and holiday travel can affect the skin by causing dryness and itchiness, especially in children, who have thinner and more sensitive skin than adults. Cold air, indoor heating, and low humidity in airplanes can make it hard for skin to stay moisturized. Here are some simple skin care tips:
- Switch to fragrance-free products to avoid skin irritation.
- Use a gentle moisturizer and apply it right after bathing or showering to help seal in moisture.
- Apply sunscreen to protect skin. Sunscreen is an important part of keeping skin healthy year-round. In winter, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can be harmful, even if you cannot see the sun.
Find more tips to help protect your child’s skin during the winter:
- HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): Avoiding Dry Winter Skin in Babies and Toddlers English | Spanish
- HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): How to Choose Safer Personal Care Products: Tips for Families English | Spanish
Learn more about sunscreen recommendations for babies and adults:
- American Academy of Dermatology: Sunscreen FAQs
- Every Parent OC: Staying Safe in the Sun
