Every traveler wants to have a safe and healthy trip. There are a few things every traveler can do to ensure an injury-free, harmless summer vacation.
– Leave the gold watch and diamond earrings behind and keep a low-key attitude in order to blend in with the native crowd.
– Take only a few credit cards and the least amount of cash with you. Use travelers’ checks where possible. Get rid of all unnecessary membership cards. For personal
photos, bring only pictures of those with whom you are traveling in case someone gets lost.
– Leave the sports clothing at home and the names and addresses under wraps inside the suitcase.
– Make a photocopy and pack an extra copy of your passport inside your luggage.
To protect your health, protect yourself against food allergies by learning the names of the foods in the native language. Find out what diseases are common and take
actions to prevent your exposure to those diseases. Find out what types of vaccinations you will need to enter the country, there may also be medications to be taken
before, during or after the trip. Take caution about what you eat and drink. Avoid vendors selling unwrapped food on the streets in most countries.
In terms of carrying health information with you, complete and take with you a personal medical history. Your doctor should be able to help you complete that. It will include
information such as:
Your Insurance Company’s name and address.
– Trip Insurance contact information.
– Contact person in case of emergency.
– Your blood type.
– A copy of your eyeglass prescription.
– A list of current medications with their generic names, brand names can vary in foreign countries.
– A list of allergies, including any known food or drug allergies.
– A list of immunizations with their dates.
– A basic description of your past and present medical condition, including past hospitalizations and any current problems.
To protect yourself from non-medical problems, here are a few ideas.
– Do the research so you’ll know the particular risks you face.
– Know the local laws and abide by them.
– Register your whereabouts with the U.S. Embassy if you are staying longer than two weeks or are in a particularly dangerous area.
– Dress conservatively and try to blend in. If you are in an area with groups of people hostile to the United States, and there are many, avoid clothing or other items that
openly label you as a U.S. citizen. You might be safer if they think you are a Canadian.
– Take care when choosing your hotel and transportation providers.
– If you haven’t left your valuables at home, leave them in your hotel’s safe.
– Don’t draw attention to yourself, avoid wearing flashy jewelry and don’t display large amounts of cash.