Check weather forecast before every trek. Never hike alone with children in unfamiliar terrain.
Trekking Safety
High Risk Zone
Hire a certified local guide — they know safe trails and emergency exits
Start early morning; descend before 2 pm to avoid afternoon storms
Never cross unmarked paths — stick to official trekking routes only
Carry a physical trail map; mobile signals are unreliable in mountains
Watch for altitude sickness: headache, nausea, dizziness — descend immediately
Children under 8 should not attempt treks above 3000m altitude
Mandatory Gear
Carry Always
First aid kit: bandages, antiseptic, ORS sachets, pain relievers
Warm layered clothing — temperatures drop sharply at altitude
Waterproof jacket and non-slip trekking shoes with ankle support
Minimum 2–3 litres of water per person; water purification tablets
Fully charged power bank, torch, whistle for emergency signalling
High-energy snacks: nuts, energy bars, dried fruit
Children on Mountains
Kids Safety
Use a child harness on steep paths; keep children in front on narrow ridges
Apply SPF 50+ sunscreen every 2 hours — UV is much stronger at altitude
Take breaks every 30 minutes; watch for fatigue or unusual complaints
Teach: never throw stones, stay on path, stay together always
Keep a bright-coloured jacket on children so they are visible at distance
Check tide times and red flag warnings before entering the sea. Never swim during red or double red flags.
Swimming Safety
Life-Saving Rules
Swim only in designated areas with lifeguard supervision
Rip current caught? Swim parallel to shore — never fight against it
Avoid sea bathing after heavy rain — dangerous currents and contamination
Never swim after sunset — visibility drops, rescue becomes impossible
No alcohol before or during swimming — deadly combination
Wear reef shoes in rocky or coral areas — cuts get infected rapidly
Children at Sea
Kids Safety
Children must wear properly fitted life jackets — not just arm bands
Keep children within arm's reach in water at all times
Never leave children unattended on the beach even briefly
Teach: if lost, go to lifeguard post — don't wander looking for parents
Reapply waterproof sunscreen every 80 minutes; water reflects UV dangerously
Boat & Water Sports
Before You Board
Verify the boat operator has a valid licence and appropriate insurance
Check life jacket condition — worn or missing ones are red flags
Inform someone ashore of your route and expected return time
Do not overload boats — weight limits exist for safety
Avoid boat trips when storm or rough sea warnings are issued
Always go with a certified jungle guide. Never feed, touch, or approach wild animals — even if they seem calm.
Safari Rules
Non-Negotiable
Book only through registered eco-tourism operators with certified guides
Never leave the designated safari vehicle — even for a short photo
Wear dull, earthy colours — bright colours disturb animals and attract insects
Maintain complete silence near animals — sudden noise can cause charges
Do not litter — food waste attracts dangerous wildlife close to humans
Follow park entry/exit times strictly — no exceptions
Health & Insects
Before & During
Take antimalarial medication as prescribed before jungle trips
Apply DEET-based insect repellent to all exposed skin every 4 hours
Wear full sleeves, long trousers, and closed shoes — no sandals in jungle
Check for ticks after every trek: behind knees, armpits, hairline, waist
Never drink stream water directly — boil or use purification tablets
Carry antihistamine and adrenaline pen if family has allergies
Children in Jungle
Kids Safety
Children under 5 often not permitted in core forest zones — check rules
Apply child-safe picaridin insect repellent every 3 hours
Teach: if you see a snake — freeze, do not run, call adult slowly
Keep children seated inside safari vehicle at all times
Carry ORS sachets — jungle humidity causes dehydration very quickly
Hidden camera check is mandatory in every hotel room — especially bathrooms and dressing areas. Do this first.
Detecting Hidden Cameras
Do This First
Turn off lights and scan with phone camera in the dark — lens reflects as bright dots
Check smoke detectors, alarm clocks, air purifiers, picture frames, mirrors
Two-way mirror test: press fingernail — no gap means real mirror; gap means one-way glass
Inspect bathroom: towel holders, ventilation grills, shelves thoroughly
Report any suspicious device to hotel management AND local police
Booking & Check-In
Smart Choices
Book only through official hotel websites or reputable platforms
Request rooms on floors 3–6: safe from break-ins, accessible for fire escape
Avoid rooms next to stairwells — easier unauthorised access points
Use door chain/deadbolt every night — never rely only on key card lock
Memorise the hotel's emergency exit route on your first day
Digital Security
Protect Yourself
Never use hotel WiFi for banking or payments — use mobile data
Use a VPN app on hotel WiFi — even on paid networks
Never plug phones into hotel USB ports — use your own wall adaptor
Change hotel safe code to your own combination if allowed
Tap each item to mark it as packed. Right clothing and medicines make or break a family trip.
0 of 0 items packed
Money & Valuables
Financial Safety
Carry cash in two places — wallet and a hidden money belt under clothing
Keep copies of all cards and documents on a secure cloud account
Use a cross-body bag with slash-proof strap in crowded tourist areas
Inform your bank before travel to avoid card blocks for unusual transactions
Keep emergency cash ₹2000–5000 separately from your main wallet
Never display expensive jewellery, cameras, or gadgets publicly
Food & Water Safety
Eat & Drink Smart
Drink only sealed bottled water or boiled water — never tap water
Avoid ice in drinks at local stalls — may be from unfiltered water
Eat at busy, well-reviewed restaurants — high turnover means fresh food
Avoid raw salads and unpeeled fruit from street vendors in hot climates
Carry ORS sachets — traveller's diarrhoea is very common
Child Safety
For Parents
Write your mobile number on child's wrist in permanent marker every morning
Take a daily photo of your child wearing their current outfit
Teach a family code word — strangers must say it to claim they know parents
Use a GPS tracker wristband for children under 10 in crowded places
Agree on a fixed meeting point at every new location
Children must know their full name, parent's name, and one phone number
Pre-Travel Checklist
Educational Objective
To encourage families to maintain essential emergency, travel, financial, and contact information in an organised manner — so family members can respond effectively during unexpected situations. This covers financial literacy, family responsibility, emergency preparedness, and responsible citizenship.
Before You Travel — Share With Family
Travel Information to Leave Behind
Emergency Contacts — Save & Share
Critical Numbers to Save
Save Before Travel
National Emergency: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance — all-in-one)
Ambulance: 108 (free emergency ambulance service across India)
Tourist Police Helpline: 1363 (dedicated tourist assistance)
Women's Helpline: 1091 (24×7 emergency support)
Child Helpline: 1098 (any child in danger or lost)
Nearest hospital at destination — look up before travel, not during emergency
Personal Emergency Contacts
Keep Updated
At least two trusted family members with full contact details
Family doctor's name and mobile number
Blood group of every family member travelling — carry on a card
Any critical allergies or medical conditions written clearly
Your travel insurance helpline number (24×7 emergency line)
Local contact at destination — hotel manager, tour guide, friend
Financial Information Awareness
This is for family awareness only — not investment advice. The goal is ensuring your family can access essential information in an emergency, not financial planning.
Bank & Investment Awareness
Family Must Know
At least one trusted family member should know which banks you hold accounts in
Share the location of passbooks, FD certificates, and PPF account details
Inform family about existing LIC/insurance policies — policy numbers and due dates
Pension or EPF account details should be known to spouse or adult children
Mutual funds, shares, or demat account — inform your broker's contact number
Keep a sealed envelope with basic financial summary — update annually
Important Documents Location
Tell Your Family
Where are original Aadhaar, PAN cards stored — tell at least one person
Property documents, land deeds — physical location and any legal contacts
Will and nomination details — who is nominated in every financial instrument
Locker key location and the bank branch where locker is held
Vehicle documents: RC book, insurance, pollution certificate location
Take photos of all critical documents and store in a private cloud folder
Digital Assets Awareness
Secure & Share
Write down your primary email ID and recovery phone number — keep in a sealed envelope
A trusted person should know how to access your cloud storage if needed
Online banking — don't share passwords, but ensure nominee knows the bank and account
Use a password manager app and inform family that it exists
Social media account recovery: enable trusted contact feature where available
Keep an "In Case of Emergency" note in your phone's notes app — unlocked
Emergency Fund Awareness
Financial Literacy
Every family should maintain 3–6 months of expenses as an emergency fund
Emergency fund should be in a liquid account — savings account or liquid fund
Family members should know which account holds the emergency fund
Do not invest the emergency fund in illiquid instruments like FDs with lock-in
Review and top up the emergency fund once every year
Travel always with a small emergency cash buffer separate from holiday money
Family Emergency Readiness Checklist
Complete Before Every Major Trip
Why Insurance Awareness Matters
Many families only discover they are uninsured or under-insured at the worst possible moment — during a medical emergency, accident, or after the death of an earning member. Awareness and preparation beforehand protects your family's financial future.
Types of Insurance — What Your Family Should Know
Life Insurance
Most Essential
Provides financial support to your family if the earning member passes away unexpectedly
Term insurance gives the highest coverage at the lowest premium — most recommended form
Cover should ideally be 10–15 times your annual income
Check if your existing LIC or ULIP policy has an active nomination — update if needed
Inform your spouse / adult children: policy number, insurer name, premium due date
Keep policy documents in a known, accessible location — not locked away where family can't find them
⚠️ Without proper nomination and family awareness, even a valid policy may go unclaimed. Thousands of crores in insurance remain unclaimed in India each year because families are unaware.
Health Insurance
Every Family Needs This
Medical bills are the leading cause of financial distress in Indian families — health insurance prevents this
A family floater plan covers all family members under one policy — cost-effective
Check if your employer provides group health insurance — know the coverage limit
Pre-existing diseases often have a waiting period of 2–4 years — declare them honestly
Keep the insurance card, policy number, and TPA helpline number always accessible
During travel, inform your family where the health insurance documents are kept
ℹ️ Always carry a physical or digital copy of your health insurance card during travel. Hospitals in remote areas may require immediate proof before beginning treatment.
Personal Accident Insurance
Critical for Travellers
Covers disability, accidental death, and hospitalisation due to accidents
Especially important during adventure activities — trekking, water sports, jungle safaris
Very affordable — often available as a rider or add-on to existing policies
Check if your current health insurance includes accident coverage or if it's separate
Many credit cards offer complimentary personal accident insurance — check your card benefits
✓ If you regularly travel or do adventure activities, ensure your family knows about this policy and its claim process — as injured persons may not be able to initiate claims themselves.
Travel Insurance
Before Every Trip
Covers trip cancellation, medical emergencies abroad, lost baggage, and flight delays
For domestic travel, it covers medical evacuation and accidental hospitalisation
For international travel, travel insurance is often mandatory for visa applications
Very low cost relative to the protection it provides — always worth buying
Share the policy number and 24×7 helpline with a trusted family member before departure
ℹ️ During a medical emergency in a remote mountain, sea, or jungle area, travel insurance with medical evacuation cover can fund a helicopter rescue — a cost that can run into lakhs without insurance.
Insurance Readiness Checklist
Check These Before Your Trip