Q: "How safe is Bali for families with children? What safety precautions should we take?"

Bali is generally very safe for families, but like any destination, being prepared and aware helps ensure a worry-free vacation. Here's everything you need to know to keep your family safe and healthy.

Overall Safety Assessment

Bali's safety reputation:

Very safe destination: Low violent crime rates
Tourist-friendly: Economy depends on tourism
Family-oriented culture: Children are cherished
Good infrastructure: Modern facilities in tourist areas
Medical facilities: Quality healthcare available

Common risks (manageable with preparation):

Traffic: Chaotic roads, especially with motorbikes
Sun exposure: Intense tropical sun
Water safety: Swimming and beach conditions
Foodborne illness: "Bali belly" from unfamiliar foods
Petty theft: Pickpocketing in crowded areas

Emergency contact numbers:

Police: 110
Fire: 113
Medical emergency: 118
Tourist police: 911
General emergency: 112

Health & Medical Safety

Pre-Travel Health Preparation

Recommended vaccinations:

Routine vaccines: Ensure all up to date
Hepatitis A: Recommended for all travelers
Hepatitis B: If staying longer than 1 month
Typhoid: Recommended for most travelers
Japanese Encephalitis: For extended rural stays
Rabies: Consider for children who may touch animals

Medical kit essentials:

Prescription medications: Bring extra supply
Pain/fever reducers: Paracetamol, ibuprofen
Anti-diarrheal: Loperamide for Bali belly
Rehydration salts: For dehydration
Antihistamines: For allergic reactions
Antiseptic: For cuts and scrapes
Sunscreen: SPF 50+ reef-safe
Insect repellent: DEET-based for tropical diseases

Preventing "Bali Belly"

Food safety rules:

Bottled water only: Including for brushing teeth
Avoid ice: Unless made from bottled water
Cooked food: Eat food that's hot and freshly cooked
Fruit: Only eat fruit you can peel yourself
Street food: Choose busy stalls with high turnover
Dairy: Avoid unpasteurized dairy products

Restaurant selection:

Busy places: High turnover means fresher food
Clean kitchens: Peek at food preparation areas
Local recommendations: Ask locals for safe places
Hotel restaurants: Generally safest option
International chains: Consistent safety standards

If illness occurs:

Stay hydrated: Oral rehydration solutions
Bland diet: Rice, bananas, toast
Rest: Allow body to recover
Medical attention: If symptoms persist 24+ hours
Severe symptoms: Bloody stool, high fever, severe dehydration

Sun Safety

UV protection essentials:

High SPF sunscreen: SPF 50+ applied every 2 hours
UV clothing: Rash guards for swimming
Hats: Wide-brimmed for face protection
Sunglasses: UV protection for eyes
Shade: Seek shade during peak hours (10am-4pm)

Heat illness prevention:

Hydration: Constant water intake
Electrolytes: Sports drinks or coconut water
Cool clothing: Light colors, breathable fabrics
Rest periods: Regular breaks in air conditioning
Warning signs: Fatigue, dizziness, nausea

Water Safety

Swimming precautions:

Lifeguard beaches: Choose supervised swimming areas
Current awareness: Understand local water conditions
Child supervision: Constant adult supervision required
Swimming ability: Ensure children are strong swimmers
Life jackets: Use for weak swimmers and boat trips

Beach safety:

Flag systems: Understand beach warning flags
Rip currents: Learn to identify and escape
Marine life: Be aware of jellyfish, sea urchins
Sharp objects: Watch for coral, rocks, debris
Sun exposure: Beach reflection intensifies UV

Pool safety:

Fence barriers: Check pool security for young children
Supervision: Never leave children unattended
Pool rules: Understand hotel/villa pool policies
Night swimming: Generally not recommended
Drain safety: Keep children away from pool drains

Transportation Safety

Road Safety

Traffic awareness:

Chaotic traffic: Motorbikes everywhere, unpredictable patterns
Pedestrian challenges: Limited sidewalks, aggressive drivers
Crossing streets: Use traffic lights, be extremely cautious
Rural roads: Narrow, winding, sometimes poor condition
Night driving: Avoid if possible, poor lighting

Family transport safety:

Car seats: Bring your own or rent quality ones
Seatbelts: Always use, check if functional
Motorbike safety: Never carry children on motorbikes
Helmet use: Required by law for motorbikes
Driver verification: Use reputable transport companies

Safe transport options:

Hotel transfers: Usually safest option
Reputable companies: Blue Bird, Grab with good ratings
Private drivers: Vetted through hotels or recommendations
Rental cars: International companies with insurance
Avoid: Unlicensed taxis, unmarked vehicles

Airport & Travel Safety

Airport security:

Document security: Keep passports secure
Money safety: Use hotel safes, money belts
Luggage watching: Don't leave bags unattended
Official services: Use only official taxi counters
Arrival planning: Pre-arrange airport transfers

In-transit safety:

Carry-on essentials: Medications, documents, valuables
Emergency contacts: Accessible contact information
Travel insurance: Comprehensive family coverage
Communication: Working phone with local SIM
Backup plans: Alternative arrangements if delayed

Accommodation Safety

Hotel/villa security:

Safe boxes: Use for passports, money, jewelry
Room security: Check locks, windows, balconies
Emergency exits: Know location and routes
Contact information: Hotel security and management
Child safety: Balcony barriers, pool security

Villa-specific safety:

Property inspection: Check security features upon arrival
Local contact: Have property manager's number
Emergency procedures: Know how to contact help
Isolation awareness: Some villas are quite remote
Backup communication: Multiple ways to call for help

Personal Security

Petty Crime Prevention

Common tourist scams:

Fake police: Real police rarely stop tourists randomly
Overcharging: Always agree on prices beforehand
Fake travel agents: Book through reputable companies
ATM skimming: Use bank ATMs, cover PIN entry
Friendship scams: Be wary of overly friendly strangers

Theft prevention:

Valuables: Leave expensive jewelry at home
Money distribution: Carry small amounts, use multiple cards
Bag security: Zipped bags, carried in front in crowds
Beach safety: Don't leave valuables unattended
Photo awareness: Don't flash expensive cameras/phones

Family-specific precautions:

Child identification: Keep photos and IDs of children
Emergency contacts: Children should know hotel name/address
Stay together: Don't let children wander alone
Meeting points: Establish if separated in crowds
Local customs: Teach children about cultural sensitivity

Money & Documents

Document security:

Passport copies: Keep copies separate from originals
Digital copies: Store in cloud accessible from anywhere
Hotel safes: Use for originals when not needed
Emergency contacts: Embassy/consulate information
Insurance documents: Keep policy numbers accessible

Money management:

ATM safety: Use bank ATMs during daylight hours
Card backup: Bring multiple cards from different banks
Cash limits: Don't carry large amounts
Emergency fund: Keep separate emergency money
Traveler's insurance: Coverage for theft and loss

Communication Safety

Phone security:

Local SIM cards: Better rates and connectivity
Emergency numbers: Program important contacts
Hotel contact: Always have hotel information
Embassy contact: Your country's embassy in Indonesia
Travel insurance: 24/7 emergency assistance numbers

Internet safety:

Public WiFi: Avoid sensitive transactions
VPN use: Protect personal information
Social media: Don't post real-time locations
Photo sharing: Be careful with location data
Banking: Only use secure connections

Environmental Safety

Natural Hazards

Earthquake preparedness:

Indonesia is seismic: Earthquakes are possible
Hotel briefings: Know evacuation procedures
Safety positions: Duck, cover, hold during shaking
Tsunami awareness: Coastal areas have warning systems
Emergency supplies: Keep water and snacks accessible

Volcanic activity:

Active volcanoes: Mount Agung, Mount Batur
Alert levels: Monitor official warnings
Air quality: Volcanic ash can affect breathing
Travel disruption: Flights may be canceled
Alternative plans: Have backup travel arrangements

Weather hazards:

Rainy season: October-March, flooding possible
Strong currents: Beach conditions change rapidly
Lightning: Frequent during storms
Heat exhaustion: High temperatures and humidity
Dehydration: Constant risk in tropical climate

Wildlife Safety

Monkey encounters:

Temple monkeys: Don't feed or provoke
Bag security: Monkeys grab food and shiny objects
Distance maintenance: Keep children away from monkeys
No direct eye contact: Can be seen as aggressive
Rabies risk: Avoid contact, seek medical attention if bitten

Marine life:

Jellyfish: Seasonal presence, painful stings
Sea urchins: Sharp spines in shallow water
Coral cuts: Wear reef shoes, treat cuts promptly
Strong currents: Can pull swimmers out to sea
Boat safety: Life jackets for all water activities

Insect protection:

Mosquito-borne diseases: Dengue, chikungunya, Zika
Repellent use: DEET-based, reapply regularly
Clothing protection: Long sleeves during dawn/dusk
Accommodation: Air conditioning, nets, screens
Standing water: Avoid areas with stagnant water

Food & Water Safety

Safe dining practices:

Restaurant selection: Clean, busy establishments
Food temperature: Hot food, cold drinks
Buffet caution: Check food turnover and temperature
Street food: Observe preparation and vendor hygiene
Allergies: Communicate dietary restrictions clearly

Water precautions:

Bottled water: Sealed bottles only
Ice safety: Only if made from bottled water
Swimming water: Avoid swallowing pool/ocean water
Teeth brushing: Use bottled water
Fresh produce: Wash with bottled water or peel yourself

Emergency Preparedness

Medical Emergencies

Quality hospitals:

BIMC Hospital: International standard care
Siloam Hospitals: Modern facilities, English-speaking staff
Sanglah Hospital: Main public hospital, emergency services
Prima Medika: Good reputation among expats

Emergency procedures:

Assess situation: Is it life-threatening?
Call for help: 118 for ambulance, hotel for assistance
Basic first aid: If trained and safe to do so
Hospital transport: Fastest route to quality care
Insurance notification: Call insurance provider immediately
Embassy contact: For serious situations

Medical communication:

Language barriers: Bring translation app or cards
Medical history: Have written summary in English
Allergies: Clear documentation of all allergies
Medications: List of current medications
Insurance cards: International coverage proof

Emergency Contacts

Indonesian emergency services:

Police (emergency): 110
Fire department: 113
Medical emergency: 118
Search and rescue: 115
Tourist police: 911
General emergency: 112

International assistance:

US Embassy Jakarta: +62-21-3435-9000
Australian Embassy: +62-21-2550-5555
UK Embassy: +62-21-2356-5200
Canadian Embassy: +62-21-2550-7800
Your travel insurance: 24/7 emergency number

Local support:

Tourist information: +62-361-222387
Bali tourism hotline: +62-361-264045
Hotel concierge: Your accommodation's main number
Local hospital: Know nearest quality facility
Pharmacy: 24-hour pharmacy locations

Family Emergency Plan

Before traveling:

Emergency contacts: List with all family members
Meeting points: Designated locations if separated
Communication plan: How to reach each other
Document copies: Distributed among family members
Insurance details: Everyone knows policy information

Emergency kit:

First aid supplies: Basic medical kit
Medications: Extra supply of essential medications
Flashlight: Battery-powered or hand-crank
Water: Sealed bottles for emergencies
Snacks: Non-perishable energy food
Cash: Small bills for emergencies
Copies: Important documents in waterproof bag

Communication protocol:

Check-in times: Regular family check-ins
Emergency signals: How to signal distress
Hotel information: Everyone knows accommodation details
Local contacts: Reliable local support person
Home contact: Someone at home knows your plans

Travel Insurance Essentials

Coverage requirements:

Medical evacuation: Minimum $500,000 coverage
Medical treatment: At least $100,000 per incident
Trip cancellation: Cover non-refundable expenses
Personal liability: Protection against damage claims
Adventure sports: If planning activities like diving

Family-specific coverage:

Child supervision: If parent hospitalized
Family member travel: Coverage for family to join you
Repatriation: Return of remains if worst happens
Missed connections: Additional accommodation/transport
Pre-existing conditions: Declare all medical conditions

Claims preparation:

Keep receipts: All medical and emergency expenses
Photo documentation: Damage, injuries, circumstances
Police reports: For theft, accidents, or crimes
Medical reports: Detailed documentation of treatment
Contact immediately: Don't delay reporting claims

Remember: Bali is generally very safe for families, and millions of families visit without incident every year. The key is being prepared, staying aware, and using common sense. Don't let safety concerns overshadow the incredible experience Bali offers - just be smart about it!

Family Safety Guide for Bali: Essential Tips for Traveling with Kids (2025)