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| A Safe and Healthy Holiday Travel Guide |
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| The holidays are all about spending time with family. For many people, this means packing up the car for a road trip or heading to the airport to catch a plane. Keep your family safe and stress-free during your travels with these helpful tips. |
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General Travel Tips
- Fill all prescriptions before you leave. Make sure to bring your insurance card and contact information for your doctor.
- Before you leave the house, lock all doors and windows and set an alarm if you have one. It's also a good idea to keep some lights on timers and to have someone come by to collect your mail and newspaper.
- Instead of letting gifts weigh you down, ship them ahead of time. It's one less thing to worry about!
Road-Trip Tips
- If you're going to be doing a lot of driving, make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before. It's important to be alert when on the road.
- When you're planning your itinerary, add a few flex hours to your driving time (more if bad weather is expected). There's nothing more stressful (and potentially dangerous) than speeding because you're trying desperately to get somewhere on time.
- In addition to your jack and spare tire, pack an emergency roadside kit that contains jumper cables, a blanket, flares and a flashlight. Also, buy a basic first-aid kit and keep aspirin, water and snacks handy.
- Have your car thoroughly checked by a mechanic before your trip, including brakes, battery, tire pressure, fluid levels and lightbulbs. Make sure to check your oil when you gas up.
- Keep your cool when you're driving and don't let road rage get the better of you! Remember, during the holidays, many drivers are stressed out. Drive defensively, always indicate lane changes and give other drivers plenty of room. If you feel yourself getting agitated, take 10 deep breaths instead of yelling and honking.
Flying Tips
- Do your blood pressure a favor and get to the airport early, so you're not sweating it waiting in security lines. Two hours for domestic flights and three hours for international flights should be enough.
- If you have an early-morning flight and your budget allows, stay at an airport hotel the night before. That way, you'll get more sleep and will stress less about making it to the airport on time in the morning.
- Unfortunately, the holidays are right in the middle of cold and flu season. Wash your hands frequently in the airport and on the plane. (A good hand scrub is a must after using the bathroom and before you eat.) Keep a supply of hand wipes with you as well.
- The air in a plane cabin is very dry (about 10 to 20 percent humidity), so once on board, keep yourself well hydrated. If you tend to get motion sickness, avoid alcohol and stick with water and juices.
- Air travelers on long flights are always at risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — a blood clot that forms in a deep vein in your legs. Because you're not moving around and your legs are below your heart, blood tends to pool in your legs. Avoid DVT by standing up and walking around once every hour.
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