Whether you are planning a weekend road trip or a spring break getaway, health and safety should always be top priorities when it comes to traveling near or far. Both land and air travel come with their own set of precautions. Take the time to educate yourself and then move on to the fun part — figuring out what sights and sounds you want to explore upon arrival.
Inspect Your Ride
Before you put your foot to the gas pedal, have an automotive technician take a look at your car and make sure it is road ready. “Check the tires regularly for uneven or excessive tread wear and make sure all tires, including the spare, are inflated properly,” says Gary Lowry, field manager at AAA Memphis. Do this at least once before hitting the road. “With the engine off, check the coolant level and condition, making certain the proper 50/50 mixture of water and coolant is present; check the level and condition of the engine oil; and look for worn, cracked, blistered, or soft belts or hoses.”
Pack Properly
It may surprise you that you should be carrying the same essentials whether you are going away for a night or getting ready to jet around the world. “Always take your health insurance card and documents; a contact card with the street addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of a family member or close contact; your health-care provider’s contact information; a car seat or booster seat as a carry-on; and your own play yard or porta-crib,” says Joan Carr, public information officer at the Shelby County Health Department. While the hotel may have a play yard or crib, you do not know if it is up to the latest safety standards, so it is better to have your own that can be trusted.
Once you have gathered all your papers, consider any medications you might want to have on hand and be sure you have enough to last through the trip. “Carry an EpiPen if you or your child has severe allergies; diarrhea medicine; antacid; antihistamine; motion sickness medicine; cough drops, cough suppressant, or expectorant; decongestant; and pain and fever medicine like acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen,” says Carr. If you are going overseas, it’s a good idea to tell your doctor and find out if there are any recommended vaccinations for your destination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is another excellent resource.
First Aid
Making a first aid kit can be a family affair. Carr says, “It should contain hand sanitizer, 1% hydrocortisone cream, antibacterial or antifungal ointments, a digital thermometer, oral rehydration salts, antiseptic wound cleaner, aloe gel for sunburns, insect bite anti-itch gel or cream, bandages, disposable gloves, cotton swabs, tweezers, and eye drops.”
Plan Ahead
“Carry an emergency kit with a flashlight, extra batteries, warning devices such as flares or reflective triangles, jumper cables, a first-aid kit, and extra water,” says Lowry. Having the right tools can make a huge difference. Keep an eye on the gas to be sure it does not get below one-quarter of a tank and familiarize yourself with the route you are taking in advance. You can look at a map on the internet. If you will need a hotel, make a reservation ahead of time so your room is waiting. Be sure to lock doors and keep valuables out of sight.
Position for Success
Do not overlook basics like adjusting your seat. “Never sit less than 10 inches from the steering wheel, as the airbag can cause injury, and always point the steering wheel at your torso and not your head and neck,” Lowry says. You want to hit the airbag rather than have it hit you. It’s equally important to adjust mirrors. Be sure you can see everything going on around you and put your phone away. “Even a phone conversation reduces your awareness by over 50 percent,” says Lowry.
In the Know
If you make an itinerary for your trip, share it with a friend or neighbor so someone knows where you are. You may even want to find restaurants in advance to make things easier. When you are away from home, there are precautionary measures to take for food safety. The obvious is to make sure everyone in your family washes their hands before eating. “In areas where tap water may be unsafe, drink only commercially bottled water or other beverages,” says Carr. Try to learn about the area. “Where hygiene and sanitation are inadequate or unknown, travelers should avoid consuming salads, uncooked vegetables, raw, unpeeled fruits, and unpasteurized milk or fruit juices,” Carr says. Thoroughly cooked foods served hot are the safest.
With a little preparation, you can mark your calendar for your family’s next fun vacation.
Jamie Lober, author of Pink Power (getpinkpower.com), is dedicated to providing information on women’s and pediatric health topics.