Summer is a time of rest and recuperation for many people, and it would be unfortunate should anything happen to interrupt a vacation that has been planned meticulously to provide the family with time away from work, school and troubles in general.
It is therefore essential that we keep a few things in mind when going on vacation so that we don’t cause ourselves any unwanted worries. Here are some helpful tips for a safe summer vacation!
Tips For A Safe Summer Vacation
Lock up
Before leaving your residence you should lock all doors and windows, put the alarm system on should you have one and perhaps also leave some timers on so that lights will switch on and off by themselves.
You may also want to leave a set of keys with the neighbor or a relative that lives close by so that they can access the house should there be an emergency or simply in order to feed a pet.
Another point you might want to bear in mind should you be leaving your car, is to park it in the garage or driveway so that it is less prone to theft and/or damage. Tell your neighbors when you are leaving and when you will be back so that they can keep an eye out for any strange activity, although you should be careful who you trust with this kind of information.
Get yourself a first aid kit
Pre-made first aid kits can be purchased readily in many stores and pharmacies. If you don’t want to splash out any extra cash than required (perhaps trying to recover some of the costs of the vacation) then you might want to create your own.
Find yourself a waterproof box or bag and label it clearly first, so that it can be found easily in an emergency. Then fill it with the usual supplies; band-aids, bandages, scissors, a bottle of water, a torch, painkillers, and other such items.
Also ensure that you include any other medications or items that your party will specifically need, such as inhalers or tablets, however, if these are readily needed you may want to keep a separate box or compartment for them.
Getting there and getting back
When driving you should never take drugs, drink alcohol, use your phone or be too tired. It will only increase the risk of you hurting either you, the people with you or potentially both.
If you are leaving your car unattended for any period of time ensure that you hide any valuables, lock the doors and wind up any windows. This reduces the risk that your car will be vandalized or broken into significantly.
When using other types of transport ensure that you know all of the emergency procedures should any problems arise and make sure that you have taken anything you will need on the journey, tablets for motion sickness being one of the most popular.
Dietary requirements
If you are going to a country or a region which has different food than your place of origin then you may want to sample some of the cuisines before you go, to see what food you do and don’t like.
Also if you have any specific food allergies you will want to be on the lookout for those specific foodstuffs. If you are in a foreign country then you will want to learn some applicable parts of the language so that you can ask if the food you want is suitable for you, or check packets for warning signs.
Mind your language
Either bring a phrase book or learn some of the lingo before you go abroad. You don’t want to be caught in an emergency and be unable to voice your concerns to the locals. This could be as simple as a way to ask directions or as previously mentioned some kind of dietary requirement.
Communication
When you go anywhere you will want to make sure that you have some means of communication with family and friends back home should there be an emergency either on your end or theirs.
Another top tip is to find out the number for the emergency services in the place which you are staying. The number varies between countries, a well-known example being “911” in the U.S.A, whilst it is “999” in the United Kingdom.
Climate
If you are visiting a place with a climate which is hot then don’t over-estimate your own ability to cope with the heat. Ensure that you have brought sunscreen (ensuring you have a reasonable SPF), a sunhat and plenty of water to drink to keep yourself hydrated. If you are beginning to feel the effects of the sun then you may want to find shelter or shade and rest for a little while.
You need to be just as prepared when visiting a colder climate, however. Ensure that you have brought a raincoat and other waterproofs.
In extreme cases such as in places which experience heavy snow ensure that you have thick clothing and thick gloves and a hat which will help your body retain lots of heat.
If you start to feel extremely cold and experience numbness or pain in extremities then you should find shelter and attempt to warm yourself up gradually.
Do your homework
If you are visiting an area which is unfamiliar to you then make sure that you have a map; even if you have a GPS, use OnStar or SatNav in case it experiences any technical faults. Should you find yourself lost them stop at a nearby convenience store or building and ask someone for directions, there’s no shame in it!
Another good tip for visiting an unfamiliar place is asking the locals if there are any specific places which you should avoid at certain times. It would irresponsible to enter one of the rougher areas of a city or town unawares.
In conclusion, staying safe on your vacation is largely common sense. You should anticipate any threat and prepare a means to counteract it in case you find yourself in that situation.
Most of all however you should not ruin your holiday by worrying about things that may go wrong. Prepare as much as possible before you set off and then you will be able to relax almost completely and enjoy your summer vacation.