How to Keep Your Kids Safe in Fiji
Fiji is an extremely safe holiday destination for families. With no major diseases, dangerous animals or high crime rate, Fiji doesn’t present any major risks. However, as with travelling to any new place outside the comforts of home, there are a few health and safety issues you need to be aware of when travelling with children. Luckily enough, risks are simple enough to prevent and prepare, so take a look at these health and safety tips for travelling in Fiji with kids.
For more health tips, see How to Stay Safe in Fiji.
1. Bring Your Own Brand of Baby Formula
While Fijian supermarkets are well-stocked with baby food and formulas, it’s a good idea to bring your preferred brand of baby formula. A change in diet in babies can lead to bowel complications.
© publicdomainpictures.net2. Go Heavy on the Sun Protection
Due to the tropical climate, medical issues commonly encountered are sunburn, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. However, these can easily be avoided if you are serious about sun protection. Make sure your children wear child-friendly sunscreen (see 5 Best Environmentally-Friendly Sunscreens for Kids and Babies in Fiji) that is at least SPF 30 and is reapplied every three hours or after drying off from swimming. A UV protection rash vest is also a good idea to protect kids from the sun while swimming. For babies, keep them in the shade as often as possible, and try to keep all kids out of the midday sun if possible.
© Pixabay3. Bring Baby Electrolytes and a Thermometer
On a similar note to sun exposure, too much sun or high humidity can lead to dehydration. If your little one does become dehydrated, be prepared with baby electrolytes, as well as a thermometer to monitor their temperature. See What to Medication to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Fiji to see more things to pack in your first aid kit.
© Pixabay4. Make Sure Children are Included in Evacuation Plans on Tours
When staying in a resort or on a tour, make sure that the evacuation plan or contingency plan includes children. Ones that don’t usually mean that the health and safety measures have not been done thoroughly enough and may be unsafe for children in the unlikely event that something goes wrong.
© SmartSign on Flickr5. Make Sure There Are Child-Size Lifejackets
A lifejacket is essential safety equipment that young children should wear for any situation on the water. Make sure that tours or watersports-hire kiosks have lifejackets specifically for kids (and make sure they fit your child). Note that some of the village boats don’t always have lifejackets on board so you are going to need to proactively ask for some.
© Pixabay6. Bring Baby Inflatables
A holiday in Fiji usually means a lot of time in the water, especially for kids! Make sure that they have all the appropriate buoyancy aids needed for their age and abilities, such as inflatable armbands or inflatable seats for babies.
© Pxhere7. Make Sure Kids are Up to Date With Their Immunisations
For children over five years old, make sure that they are up to date with their vaccinations. See your family doctor 4-6 weeks at the latest in order to discuss what vaccinations are needed, as it takes a few weeks for vaccinations to take effect. Check for yourself too, as adults need boosters. See Do You Need Vaccines to Travel to Fiji? for more advice.
© FijiPocketGuide.com8. If Your Child Starts Feeling Ill, Be Proactive
While disrupting the holiday by going to the doctors isn’t always appealing, it’s much better to be proactive about an illness than to let it worsen. Plus, the local doctors are much more likely to be knowledgeable about the local diseases and illnesses than your doctor back home.
© Pixabay9. Protect Your Little Ones from Mosquitos
Not only do mosquitos leave nasty bites, but there have been outbreaks of dengue fever in Fiji in the past. With that in mind, it’s best to protect your little ones from mosquitos as much as possible. Larger resorts have their own mosquito control, while child-friendly and eco-friendly insect repellent and baby mosquito nets are also a good precaution. See 12 Ways to Avoid Mosquito Bites in Fiji for more ways to prevent mosquitos.
© MaxPixel10. Have a Plan in Case They Get Lost
With reliable kids’ clubs, babysitting services and, of course, your own competency as a parent, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll lose your child in Fiji. However, it’s always smart to have a meeting point everywhere you go. An additional precaution is to kit your child out with a GPS tracker – try attaching a Tile GPS Tracker to their bag – or clothes or getting them a Smart Watch for Kids. See more tips like this in 29 Essential Tips for Travelling to Fiji With Children.
© PixabayMore Health and Safety Tips for Travelling in Fiji with Kids
