June 27, 2025 • 9 mins
🎧 Episode 182: Summer Safety Check – Tips for Road Trips, Beaches & Theme Parks Summer is here, and before we dive into our brand-new series on the Best Beach Towns in the U.S., we're pressing pause for an important summer safety check! In this solo episode, Rob shares practical tips and real-life travel wisdom to help your family stay safe and stress-free—whether you're road-tripping, lounging on the sand, or spending the day at a theme park. In this episode, Rob covers: 🚗 Road Trip Safety:
- Essential car prep before hitting the road
- Emergency kit must-haves
- Why rest stops matter (and how to plan them)
- Car seat safety tips that might surprise you
- Keeping long drives calm and kid-friendly
- Sunscreen is just the start: sun protection layers that work
- What to know about rip currents and ocean swimming
- Hydration tips for hot, salty days
- Why sand safety and wildlife awareness are so important
- How to ID your kids and prevent separations
- Staying cool and hydrated on high-energy days
- Planning breaks to avoid overstimulation and meltdowns
- Budgeting for comfort that makes a big difference
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Today I'm a Family Vacationer. We're helping your family stay
safe and have fun this summer, whether you're road tripping,
beach lounging, or heading to the theme parks. Episode one
three starts right now. Welcome to the Family Vacationer with
Robin Tracy, your go to podcast for families on the moon.
(00:27):
Hey everybody, and welcome back to the Family Vacationer. I'm
your host, Rob and today we're doing something a little different,
a little summer safety check. We've wrapped up some amazing
conversations with our kids about their favorite places, their favorite memories,
and next week we launch a new series on the
best beach cities in the US. But before we dive
(00:50):
into that bad pun intended, I want to take a
moment to help you prepare for your summer travel with
something that's easy to overlook but absolutely critical, and that's safety.
Whether you're hitting the road, chilling on the beach, or
navigating the crowds at a theme park, summer travel can
come with its own set of challenges. So let's break
it down into three main categories. Road trips, beaches, and
(01:15):
theme parks. All right, let's start with road trips. Safety,
and there is something classic about piling in the family
car and setting off with snacks and music, GPS locked in.
But there are some things to consider before and endearing
(01:37):
the drive. Pre trip car check, make sure that your
vehicle is road ready. Check the oil, brakes, tires, battery.
Don't forget the wipe or fluid bugs happen. If your
car's due for a tune up, schedule it at least
a week before your trip. I cannot tell you how
many family travel memories from my family involve a car
(02:00):
breaking down on the way to the beach or Disney World.
Make sure that your car is road ready. Also, make
sure you've got that emergency kit, a pack that includes flashlights,
jumper cables, bandages, snacks in bottle water in case you're
on the side of the road for a while, phone chargers,
(02:21):
and this is important. A proper map, yes, an actual
paper map in case you don't have signal rest in rotation.
Now listen. I am as guilty as any dad of
being the person that you know. We get in the car,
we're gonna make one stop and we're gonna get there right.
But if your drives more than five hours, plan your
(02:41):
stops schedule breaks every two to three hours, especially if
you have little ones. You don't get any price for
getting there quicker, right, but if you can rotate drivers
to avoid fatigue. Car seat safety this was eye opening
for my wife and myself when we had our little
ones in the car seat. I think it was our
low cool police department had a little pop up set
(03:04):
up in the Walmart parking lot where you could come
by and they would check your car seat and make
sure if it was installed correctly. Ours was not. So
if you have younger kids, double check that their car
seats or boosters are correctly installed. You can look online YouTube,
or you can go to your local fire department. Most
of them will check that for you. This is just
(03:24):
one of those things that gets taken for granted but
can make all the difference. And lastly, keep it calm.
Long drives, we know they're stressful, right, so blink. Bring
whatever playlist you need, be it movie or music, podcasts,
including the family vacationer, small activities, travel games, anything to
keep the kids happy and the energy as peaceful as possible.
(03:54):
Beach safety now, I know this is part of the
trip where everybody just wants to relax, me included, but
they're There are a few super important things to keep
in mind. Sun protection, and it's not just sunscreen anymore.
You've got to think layers, broad spectrum SPF thirty reapplied
every two hours. And I am the worst about the
(04:15):
reapplication of sunscreen. But you know, if you're in the
pool like like or the water, my happy place is
just floating in the ocean, right, so you've got to
get out every two hours and reapply that sunscreen. Rash
guards UV shirts. You never know if they're gonna get
some kind of rash sun poisoning. Good to have UV
(04:37):
shirts that they can wear and still take part, still
be active and yet you know, not have to worry
about getting burned again. Hats, sunglasses that goes without saying.
And shade, you know, bring umbrellas, beach tents, especially if
you're spending hours outdoors. It gives you a place to
go and get out of the sun. And then water safety.
If you can swim near a lifeguard whenever possible, that's great.
(05:01):
Respect the flags that are in posted warnings. If it's
double red, do not, do not, do not get in
that water. You just need to know what's going on.
With the flag system, and if you're unfamiliar with the ocean,
watch out for riped currents and know how to escape them.
Teach that to your children as young as possible. You
(05:22):
swim parallel to shore and not against the current. Hydration,
salt water, sun sand, we all know they zap your
energy quickly. For some of us, like me, hydration is
an issue. I can get dehydrated very fast. So make
sure that everyone's drinking plenty of water throughout the day,
and not just SODA's or juice. Sand safety. Hot sand
(05:46):
can burn your feet, especially the little ones. So pack
water shoes sandals. I love water shoes, all right. I
may look a little geeky. I don't care. I got
my water shoes. I got my feet protected. I walk
right in and out of the ocean, right in and
out of the pool. Don't have to worry about it.
Be cautious digging large holes. Yes, even those fun beach
(06:09):
pits can collapse unexpectedly. Also, be aware of wildlife. You
know this varies by region, but remind your family not
to touch or chase animals or feed animals. You've got
to be careful of jellyfish at the beach. Obviously, crabs,
shore birds. It's their home after all. Lastly, theme park safety. Now,
(06:35):
these are high energy places, but they can be exhausting
and chaotic without a little planning. Make sure that you
id your kids. Snap a photo of your child each
morning so you have a current picture in case God
forbid you get separated. Some parents also use temporary ID
bracelets that have contact info on them. Whatever you feel
(06:56):
comfortable with, make sure that you've got a current photo
of your child. Hydration again, cool down. Summer parks can
get really hot, right, we know this, We all know this.
Bring a refillable water bottle, cooling towels, handheld fans, take breaks,
and shaded or air conditioned areas. At a lot of
theme parks, water is free, so make sure you take
(07:19):
advantage of that and pace yourself. I mean, it's easy
to try and cram everything into one day. As my
daughter mentioned last week, I do tend to, you know,
not plan every minute, but we have a plan when
we hit Disney. But overstimulation does lead to meltdowns. So
start early, take breaks, and if possible, build in a
midday rest. Know the rules ahead of time. Pay attention
(07:42):
to the ride height requirements. The health warnings, instructions from staff.
They're not trying to ruin your fun. They're trying to
keep everybody safe and budget for some small comfort. Sometimes
the difference between a good day and a great day
is a locker, rental, a fan, a shady lunch spot.
It's okay to spend a little on comfort, all right, folks.
(08:11):
That's your quick summer safety check for this season. Whether
you're cruising down the interstate, building sand castles, or riding
roller coasters, a little preparation goes a long way towards
making those memories as stress free as possible. Next week,
as we mentioned, we're launching into a brand new series
on America's best beach downs. Trust me, you won't want
(08:33):
to miss this. It may sound like a competition, but
any answer is the correct one. Remember, folks, keep your
passports and your hearts open. Be sure to follow us
on Instagram and sign up for our Substack newsletter. And
as always, thank you for listening to The Family Vacationer.
Safe travels everyone, Thank you for listening to The Family Vacationer.
(08:57):
Make sure to like it, subscribe to hear more from
Rob and Tracy Century Century CYC
Today I'm a Family Vacationer. We're helping your family stay
safe and have fun this summer, whether you're road tripping,
beach lounging, or heading to the theme parks. Episode one
three starts right now. Welcome to the Family Vacationer with
Robin Tracy, your go to podcast for families on the moon.
(00:27):
Hey everybody, and welcome back to the Family Vacationer. I'm
your host, Rob and today we're doing something a little different,
a little summer safety check. We've wrapped up some amazing
conversations with our kids about their favorite places, their favorite memories,
and next week we launch a new series on the
best beach cities in the US. But before we dive
(00:50):
into that bad pun intended, I want to take a
moment to help you prepare for your summer travel with
something that's easy to overlook but absolutely critical, and that's safety.
Whether you're hitting the road, chilling on the beach, or
navigating the crowds at a theme park, summer travel can
come with its own set of challenges. So let's break
it down into three main categories. Road trips, beaches, and
(01:15):
theme parks. All right, let's start with road trips. Safety,
and there is something classic about piling in the family
car and setting off with snacks and music, GPS locked in.
But there are some things to consider before and endearing
(01:37):
the drive. Pre trip car check, make sure that your
vehicle is road ready. Check the oil, brakes, tires, battery.
Don't forget the wipe or fluid bugs happen. If your
car's due for a tune up, schedule it at least
a week before your trip. I cannot tell you how
many family travel memories from my family involve a car
(02:00):
breaking down on the way to the beach or Disney World.
Make sure that your car is road ready. Also, make
sure you've got that emergency kit, a pack that includes flashlights,
jumper cables, bandages, snacks in bottle water in case you're
on the side of the road for a while, phone chargers,
(02:21):
and this is important. A proper map, yes, an actual
paper map in case you don't have signal rest in rotation.
Now listen. I am as guilty as any dad of
being the person that you know. We get in the car,
we're gonna make one stop and we're gonna get there right.
But if your drives more than five hours, plan your
(02:41):
stops schedule breaks every two to three hours, especially if
you have little ones. You don't get any price for
getting there quicker, right, but if you can rotate drivers
to avoid fatigue. Car seat safety this was eye opening
for my wife and myself when we had our little
ones in the car seat. I think it was our
low cool police department had a little pop up set
(03:04):
up in the Walmart parking lot where you could come
by and they would check your car seat and make
sure if it was installed correctly. Ours was not. So
if you have younger kids, double check that their car
seats or boosters are correctly installed. You can look online YouTube,
or you can go to your local fire department. Most
of them will check that for you. This is just
(03:24):
one of those things that gets taken for granted but
can make all the difference. And lastly, keep it calm.
Long drives, we know they're stressful, right, so blink. Bring
whatever playlist you need, be it movie or music, podcasts,
including the family vacationer, small activities, travel games, anything to
keep the kids happy and the energy as peaceful as possible.
(03:54):
Beach safety now, I know this is part of the
trip where everybody just wants to relax, me included, but
they're There are a few super important things to keep
in mind. Sun protection, and it's not just sunscreen anymore.
You've got to think layers, broad spectrum SPF thirty reapplied
every two hours. And I am the worst about the
(04:15):
reapplication of sunscreen. But you know, if you're in the
pool like like or the water, my happy place is
just floating in the ocean, right, so you've got to
get out every two hours and reapply that sunscreen. Rash
guards UV shirts. You never know if they're gonna get
some kind of rash sun poisoning. Good to have UV
(04:37):
shirts that they can wear and still take part, still
be active and yet you know, not have to worry
about getting burned again. Hats, sunglasses that goes without saying.
And shade, you know, bring umbrellas, beach tents, especially if
you're spending hours outdoors. It gives you a place to
go and get out of the sun. And then water safety.
If you can swim near a lifeguard whenever possible, that's great.
(05:01):
Respect the flags that are in posted warnings. If it's
double red, do not, do not, do not get in
that water. You just need to know what's going on.
With the flag system, and if you're unfamiliar with the ocean,
watch out for riped currents and know how to escape them.
Teach that to your children as young as possible. You
(05:22):
swim parallel to shore and not against the current. Hydration,
salt water, sun sand, we all know they zap your
energy quickly. For some of us, like me, hydration is
an issue. I can get dehydrated very fast. So make
sure that everyone's drinking plenty of water throughout the day,
and not just SODA's or juice. Sand safety. Hot sand
(05:46):
can burn your feet, especially the little ones. So pack
water shoes sandals. I love water shoes, all right. I
may look a little geeky. I don't care. I got
my water shoes. I got my feet protected. I walk
right in and out of the ocean, right in and
out of the pool. Don't have to worry about it.
Be cautious digging large holes. Yes, even those fun beach
(06:09):
pits can collapse unexpectedly. Also, be aware of wildlife. You
know this varies by region, but remind your family not
to touch or chase animals or feed animals. You've got
to be careful of jellyfish at the beach. Obviously, crabs,
shore birds. It's their home after all. Lastly, theme park safety. Now,
(06:35):
these are high energy places, but they can be exhausting
and chaotic without a little planning. Make sure that you
id your kids. Snap a photo of your child each
morning so you have a current picture in case God
forbid you get separated. Some parents also use temporary ID
bracelets that have contact info on them. Whatever you feel
(06:56):
comfortable with, make sure that you've got a current photo
of your child. Hydration again, cool down. Summer parks can
get really hot, right, we know this, We all know this.
Bring a refillable water bottle, cooling towels, handheld fans, take breaks,
and shaded or air conditioned areas. At a lot of
theme parks, water is free, so make sure you take
(07:19):
advantage of that and pace yourself. I mean, it's easy
to try and cram everything into one day. As my
daughter mentioned last week, I do tend to, you know,
not plan every minute, but we have a plan when
we hit Disney. But overstimulation does lead to meltdowns. So
start early, take breaks, and if possible, build in a
midday rest. Know the rules ahead of time. Pay attention
(07:42):
to the ride height requirements. The health warnings, instructions from staff.
They're not trying to ruin your fun. They're trying to
keep everybody safe and budget for some small comfort. Sometimes
the difference between a good day and a great day
is a locker, rental, a fan, a shady lunch spot.
It's okay to spend a little on comfort, all right, folks.
(08:11):
That's your quick summer safety check for this season. Whether
you're cruising down the interstate, building sand castles, or riding
roller coasters, a little preparation goes a long way towards
making those memories as stress free as possible. Next week,
as we mentioned, we're launching into a brand new series
on America's best beach downs. Trust me, you won't want
(08:33):
to miss this. It may sound like a competition, but
any answer is the correct one. Remember, folks, keep your
passports and your hearts open. Be sure to follow us
on Instagram and sign up for our Substack newsletter. And
as always, thank you for listening to The Family Vacationer.
Safe travels everyone, Thank you for listening to The Family Vacationer.
(08:57):
Make sure to like it, subscribe to hear more from
Rob and Tracy Century Century CYC
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