Live Healthy Live Well

Many of us take a family vacation or have family members who travel over Spring Break. Do you have plans this year? I usually just go to visit family members, but since I have sisters in three different states – even that can involve air travel and doesn’t usually happen just over a weekend. Let’s make this year’s trip memorable by planning ahead so that everyone is safe.

Travel Tips:

• Before you go let a trusted family member or neighbor know how long you plan to be gone so they can pick up mail or packages and make sure your house looks lived in by carrying in trash cans, etc.
• Plan for a successful trip – refill your prescriptions and take a few extra days of medication with you – you never know if a storm or overbooking may delay flights. Take a few basic over-the-counter medications with you; something for a headache, stomach problems, and some anti-biotic cream with bandages are good basics to start with. Be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes too, not just sandals or flip-flops.
• If you are traveling over-seas, check the State Department web site for potential travel warnings or dangers. They update this list regularly. http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
• Include some active time on your trip, but don’t over-due it. Plan days with walking, swimming, boating, dancing, and more – but if you haven’t exercised lately – start out slow and in little blocks of time. Nothing is worse than spending half of your trip on your back in the hotel room because you pulled a muscle playing beach volleyball.
• Protect yourself from the sun! Be sure to pack your 30 SPF sunscreen, 100% UV ray protection sun glasses, and a wide brimmed hat. I know many people who have spent part of their trip at the emergency room because of sun poisoning and I don’t ever plan to be in their shoes. When you go out grab a bottle of water to keep yourself hydrated too.
• If you are swimming or boating – listen during any safety drills. Wear life jackets on boats and check for other safety equipment.
• While part of the fun on vacation is trying new foods – you need to be cautious about over-doing it on fats, sodium, alcohol, and sugars. Be sure to also include healthy foods; fruits, veggies, and low-fat dairy each day. Many vacation rooms include small kitchens now which can be stocked with fresh fruit, bottled water, fresh veggies, and milk that you pick up at the local store. Not only will you include these healthier foods in your diet – you will also probably save money by having snacks foods ahead and not buying from vending machines. Don’t forget to pack a small insulated cooler/bag in your suitcase – you can use it to take bottles of water or bags of grapes on day trips.
• Limit the amount of cash you carry and only bring credit cards you plan to use. Leave store cards at home – you can carry a smaller purse and limit your risk of identity theft. Leave expensive jewelry at home; take the costume stuff or just a few basic accessories on your trip.
• Always park your car in well lit areas and limit the amount of suitcases, maps, and other travel related items that are in plain view in the car. Even though GPS can work great – a map for back up is a good idea – no technology works all of the time.
• Don’t post your vacation pictures on social media sites until you are safely home. No reason to let everyone know that your home is uninhabited.

By planning ahead and doing a little research you can have a safe, fun trip with plenty of adventure – but no injuries.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/family/springbreak/

Author: Lisa Barlage, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences.