Fall Travel Health and Safety Tips

The cooler autumn weather and the school year back in session make fall a wonderful time for travel. Avoid the hassles, the stress, and the potential for illness that often accompanies travel by following some basic health and safety travel tips.

1. Contact your local public health department for help in locating a travel doctor if your plans include out-of-the-country travel. A travel doctor can educate you about parasites, diseases, and what immunizations you may need or want prior to traveling outside the country.

2. Make a list of all medications you currently use, whether prescription or over-the-counter, and pack them, along with any other health items you may need, like vitamins or your spare pair of glasses or contact lenses. If you are going to be gone longer than one refill's worth, talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about how to get extras or your prescription filled while you're gone.

1. Have a back-up plan to reduce stress while traveling. Lost luggage, stolen credit cards, misplaced passports, delayed flights, etc. can wreak havoc on your well-being as well as your fall travel plans, but having a back-up plan can keep you feeling in control and on top of your game. Practice stress management techniques to keep a lid on the out-of-control feelings you may not be able to avoid.
2. Travel with a group and stay in well-traveled areas. There is safety in numbers - if you don't have a family, friend, or partner to travel with, contact a reputable travel company about tour groups that may interest you.
3. When staying in a hotel or hostel, lock your door, only open it when you know exactly who is out there (don't hesitate to ask for ID), and look over the fire escape route as soon as you check in. Be aware of your surroundings at all time. Talking on your cell phone while walking, texting, or checking your Blackberry may all seem like good time management techniques, but they are all distractions that put you at risk when out and about.
4. Wash your hands and maintain good personal hygiene - hands away from mouth, face, etc. It may seem like a no-brainer, but wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom and before eating and after any direct contact with another person. If no soap and water is available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (not an anti-bacterial gel) to cleanse your hands.
5. Eat a healthy diet, limit alcohol consumption, and stay hydrated with safe water sources. It may be tempting to try the fried-everything-all-you-can-gorge-yourself-with buffet, but eating a meal like that not only is a recipe for clogged arteries - all it takes is one really fatty meal to put someone at risk over the edge for a heart attack --, the excessive consumption can lower the effectiveness of your immune system and make you feel sluggish. Alcohol consumption can make you feel more relaxed and ready to take risks - not a good combination when on vacation in an unfamiliar area. And hydration is essential for good health.
6. Spend time outside in the sun to adjust to jet lag, but do use sunscreen. Your body clock will reset naturally when you get plenty of natural sun exposure, but there is still a risk of sun damage. Use sunscreen, even in the fall!
7. Exercise and get plenty of rest! Yes, this applies regardless of where you happen to be and whatever you happen to be doing, vacation included. Lounging by the pool with the latest best-seller? Very pleasant. Swimming laps? Invigorating. Fit both into your fall vacation schedule for a fun and healthy vacation.
8. And finally, always ALWAYS wear your seatbelt. This rule applies whether home or abroad, vacationing the next town over or the next state over or the next country over or the next continent over. It applies whether you are working or vacationing, whether you are headed to the grocery or school, whether you are headed home or headed out. Please, always wear your seatbelt and increase your odds of making it back to your loved ones alive.