Hot Topic: Safe Holiday Travel Tips
Millions of Americans are planning to hit the road to visit friends and family during the holidays. Whether traveling by car, train, bus, or plane, it’s important to keep health and safety top-of-mind at all times.
One of the best ways to avoid getting sick during travel and while at your destination is to wash your hands often. Hand washing can keep you from getting ill and from spreading germs to others. It’s best to wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also a good way to keep germs at bay.
Traveling can also mean changes in climate. Try to research the weather at your planned destination and pack accordingly. In colder weather, plan to dress warmly in loose-fitting, layered clothing. This is especially important for more vulnerable populations such as infants, children, and older adults.
Whether going on a short trip across town or an extended vacation across the country, wear a seat belt whenever riding in any kind of motor vehicle. Always make sure that children are in the appropriate child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to weight, height, and age. The Centers for Disease Control offers several helpful tips on how to keep your child safe as a passenger.
And don’t forget to keep a survival kit in your car. Hopefully you’ll never need it, but it’s always good to have a kit containing certain items such as:
• Blankets
• Matches
• First aid kit
• Battery-powered radio
• Booster cables
• Containers of water
• Flashlight and extra batteries
There’s nothing that takes the “cheer” out of “holiday cheer” faster than arriving at your destination with a bad case of the flu. Every year more than 200,000 are hospitalized due to complications from the flu and close to 36,000 people die. Symptoms include fever, headache, extreme fatigue, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. It’s not too late to get a flu shot. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting the flu.
No matter what your plans might be this holiday season, make sure that staying safe and healthy is on the top of your “to do” list.
WWW Address: http://www.gachd.org/hot-topic/safe_holiday_travel_tips.php