Safety Travel Tips for your Family

When you arrive at the vacation destination of your choice, do not overlook the safety of your family especially of your kids. To help you with that here are some tips that will help you.

ENJOY YOUR FOOD, BUT DON’T OVERDO IT. We get it—indulgent meals are part of what makes vacations fun. Just be prepared for the possible consequences: heartburn, diarrhea and other digestive distress, none of which is serious but all of which can make you feel awful. If you’re prone to heartburn, stash over-the-counter meds in your purse: One with calcium carbonate offers fast relief, while Prilosec (omeprazole) stops reflux before it starts. (See “Toss These into Your Carry-on” for other meds you should pack.)

STICK TO A SLEEP SCHEDULE. Proper rest can help you stay healthy—and prevent a crabby mood or even headaches, which can crop up when sleep rhythms get disrupted. A good rule is to turn in at roughly the same time you would at home—so if lights-out is normally at 11, try not to hit the hay much later than that. If you’ve switched time zones, set your watch or phone to the new time as soon as you arrive, avoid napping the day you get there, then turn in early and aim to wake at your usual time. Expose yourself to sunlight as soon as you get up. Bright UV light helps reset your body clock.

SLATHER ON SUNSCREEN. Not just at the beach! Make sure everyone in the family wears sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher on their face and other unclothed body parts every day, and reapply it every two hours.

WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN. Lathering up (or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer) is the one move that best protects you and family members from catching colds or stomach bugs. The bacteria and viruses that cause them are all over public restrooms, hotels, restaurants and airports. Be extra diligent about cleaning your hands after coming in contact with ATMs, touch-screen ticket kiosks, light switches, airplane bathrooms and other germ hot spots.

KNOW HOW TO IDENTIFY AN EMERGENCY. A cut that doesn’t stop bleeding within a few minutes; a knock on the head that results in dizziness or confusion; diarrhea or vomiting that doesn’t ease up after a few hours; a burn that becomes increasingly more swollen—all these warrant a trip to an urgent care center or a doctor’s office, pronto. Same with fever, an earache or pain that doesn’t ease, even after taking a painkiller. Such symptoms likely aren’t life-threatening, but ignoring them can make the situation worse. On the more serious side, if someone in the family loses consciousness, suffers severe blood loss, has a body part that appears to be fractured, or experiences chest pain or other serious pain, skip urgent care and hightail it to the nearest ER. Not sure just how worried you should be? Play it safe and go to the hospital—don’t take chances. 

Kathrina Mendez is a mother of two beautiful girls, a loving wife and certified travel enthusiast. She is also a contributor on Vacation-now.com. A travel website that focuses on vacation rentals and cheap holiday homes to stay.