If you are heading to Florida with your family or to visit family for the winter holidays, there are a few important things you should do before you come. I know it's tough for parents to remember everything, so I've put together some helpful tips to make your family travel smoother – and safer. 

Here's my list. Check it twice!

First of all, every parent thinks about what their kids would do if they got lost at a busy, crowded airport or theme park.

• Be prepared. Give your children specific instructions and ID YOUR KIDS! You can't always count on them to remember a cell phone number.
  
• Make sure your family members have Identification with Emergency Contact Numbers and Medical Information with them when traveling.

• I found a fun-to-wear identification bracelet called “ID on Me” where you can write your child's contact and medical information in a waterproof compartment. The bracelets come in nine bright colors and are trendy and cute, so the kids will be excited to wear them. (See pics of my kids with thiers to the right.) If your kids are younger and might pull it off, you can slide the ID tag on a shoelace.

• View my video on “How to Pack for the Entire Family In One Hour in One Bag!” Honestly, you can do it! If you want to be hands-free at the airport with enough fingers to tie shoes and hold sippy cups, you just need to watch this video.  Organization and consolidation will save you time on both ends of your trip.
  
• The ID on Me products and the packing items I used in the video can be found at http://FamilyTravelPlanet.com.

• The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website is a must-see before you head out the door. Knowing the rules at security checkpoints will save you precious time, especially during the holiday rush at the airport.

This site has most information on what you CAN and CANNOT bring through security checkpoints this season. Believe them when they say, they have seen just about “everything.”

Every family has a traveling relative who promises to bring a special recipe from home to the holiday dinner. No one wants Grandma to miss her flight due to a security problem over that pie!

The TSA provides a comprehensive list of liquid, aerosol and gel items that you should put in your checked bag, ship ahead, or leave at home:

• Most importantly, DO NOT WRAP GIFTS YOU'RE TAKING ON THE PLANE!

• Security officers may have to unwrap gifts if they need to take a closer look. Either ship wrapped gifts ahead of time or wait until your destination to wrap them.

• Personally, I would avoid the hassle and get some gift cards! The last thing you want to do when traveling with antsy kids is unwrap your holiday packages. I cannot think of anything worse. It's bad enough just trying to get everyone's shoes back on and remembering to grab "blankies"!

• Here is the link:  http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/holiday_311.shtm

Wishing you and yours safe travels and Happy Holidays!

Jennifer Michaels

Family Travel Expert, VISITFLORIDA.com