Winter Travel: Ways to Stay Healthy and Safe

One of my favorite movies is the wilderness survival film The Edge. It stars Anthony Hopkins as a billionaire and Alec Baldwin as the photographer of the billionaire's model wife. After their bush plane crashes, the two are stranded in a mountainous region and must walk out. Each knows something that neither thinks the other knows.

Anyway, at the beginning of their ordeal the billionaire, who has a photographic memory, tells the photographer that most people stranded in the wilds fail to do the one thing that would have saved their lives. "What?" The photographer asks. "Thinking" says the billionaire.

When you travel this winter the best tip for staying healthy and safe is to always be thinking; about your environment, about your family, and about other people. Sure, things can happen (and usually do) that are beyond your control. That's the nature of the world.

However, there's still much in your control. Many people who end up sick, injured, or worse failed to think. The rush or excitement of a holiday overpowers sound judgment. People make poor decisions. They take silly risks. They think "nothing can happen to me."

According to Forbes, on a typical Thanksgiving Day nearly 600 people die in auto accidents somewhere in the United States. On Christmas Day it's slightly more than 400 people. On any other average day 100 people die in auto accidents. Compared to the total US population those are small odds; unless you or one of your family members is among the killed. The odds just went to 100%.

So, here is my #1 tip for auto and plane travel for you to stay healthy and safe this winter.

Auto Travel:

1. Maintain a large distance between you and every other car on the road. Have you noticed how people bunch up on the roads? You're not going to get anywhere any faster by tailgating, bunching up, or speeding up to beat the yellow light. I keep count. I almost get hit every month by someone running a red light.

On one particular Thanksgiving night the driver in a car directly in front of me ran a red light. I saw what was about to happen. I honked my horn and I screamed "stop." (Of course it didn't do any good). The car was broadsided by a truck heading full speed across the intersection. The truck rolled, the car spun a couple of time and hit the median. Drivers of both vehicles were killed. I watched it all happen.

The farther away you are from other cars the safer you'll be. It's that simple

If you're traveling into extreme frigid areas of the country, take along some sort of survival kit; blankets, flashlights, water, and food.

Air Travel:

1. When you fly you have no control over the plane of course. The best tip when traveling by air is again to think; plan ahead and be aware. Make sure your money, identification, and tickets are secure. Keep your luggage in sight at all times. Be courteous but don't trust strangers.

Make sure you remember all medications. Jot down a little medical history of all your travelers and a few emergency phone numbers. Keep your hands washed.

Don't let crumbling passengers or rude airline personnel rush you. Take your time and do everything right. If you don't know something, ask. Phone someone who you know can guide you.

My rule of thumb, my Big Idea when I travel by any mode; stay as far away from the crowd as I can. No, I don't care if people think I'm a snob. I'm polite but distant.

Remember, the best plan is the one you make. If in doubt, don't go.

Stay safe

Reference:

Hannah Elliott Full List: Most Dangerous U.S. Holidays