Tips On Staying Healthy While Traveling

Because of the increased news coverage about viruses such as the H1N1 virus, more people are realizing that they have to take health precautions when traveling. It seems as though everywhere we go there is a risk of picking up some ‘bug’ that can make us sick, with some ‘bugs’ that can make us gravely ill. Fortunately, there are a number of easy to implement measures one can take to stay healthy while traveling.

1. To avoid such illnesses as travelers’ diarrhea, food poisoning, and illnesses caused from contaminated water, one should take a number of precautions such as only drinking bottled water. Make sure you eat food that is well cooked and has been thoroughly washed and peeled. Be wary of unsanitary restaurants. Look for well known restaurants in traveler guide books. Only eat freshly prepared foods and avoid raw vegetables and fruits. You should also stay away from raw seafood. As well, you should not drink beverages that contain ice cubes. It is important to eat healthy and stay hydrated. A package of berries or nuts is healthier than eating sugary and fatty snacks.

2. Keep such health items as hand sanitizer, antibiotic ointment, and Kleenex on hand. Use hand sanitizers frequently and do not touch your mouth, nose, or eyes. Rubbing a bit of antibiotic ointment in your nasal passages will stop airborne germs from entering the body. As well, anti bacterial wipes are handy disinfectants. You can use them to wipe down doorknobs, toilet seats, and anything else that can contain germs

3. You should travel with a medical kit. This can include band aids, antibiotic ointment, aspirin, Tylenol, medicine for diarrhea and an upset stomach, and Vitamin C. A week or two before your trip, you should boost your immune system by exercising, eating healthy and taking vitamin C.

4. When you are traveling by plane, and are concerned about catching a virus, you can wear a surgical mask. You can also carry a small water bottle to spray your face to stay rehydrated during the flight. You should also make sure to wipe down seats, arm rests, and head rests with a disinfectant wipe. Avoid using airline blankets and pillows as they can carry germs. When using flight bathrooms, use tissues to turn doorknobs and faucets as well as flushing toilets to avoid E.coli infection.

5. When using the air vent, direct air flow to your chest so air is not blowing into your face. Try not to sit next to someone who has a cold. Keep all of your belongings in your carry on bag and store it in the overhead unit. As well, try to fly on days when there are less passengers flying. On long trips, make sure you get up every hour and stretch your legs to prevent blood clots.

Just because there a number of illnesses out there, it does not mean you have to stop traveling. By taking the proper health precautions, you can drastically improve your chances of having a great vacation with becoming afflicted with an illness.

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Airport Security – What Travelers Need to Know

Since the tragic events of 9/11, Airports have taken great strides to ensure the safety of their measures. Many new security measures have been implemented that travelers should be aware of before going to the airport.

The following is a list of important security essentials that travelers should know when they go to the airport:

1. Because of the security measures that have been implemented, one may expect longer security check lines so checking in for the flight may take longer than in the past. Airports recommend that you arrive at the airport about two hours before your scheduled flight.

2. The first checkpoint is registering for your plane seat. You will have to show your boarding pass and a form of identification such as a drivers license or a government issued identification card.

3. When you arrive at the security check point, you will be required to put your carry-on bag through the scanner. There will be a bin for placing your coat that will be scanned before you walk through the metal detector. Before going through the metal detector, you will have to remove any items you are wearing and put them in a bin for scanning. Some airports now have — shoe sniff — devices that analyze your shoes for the presence of explosive materials. If the scanner picks up something unusual, you and your bag will be searched. The security agent may pass a wand with a removable filter that will test for explosive residue.

4. X-ray body imaging machines at airports, called backscatter devices, are being installed in up to 30 airports. The machines are intended to replace the physical pat-down some passengers receive.

5. In August, 2006, rules were implemented to allow passengers on US and European flights to carry only 3 ounces/100 ml of liquids or gels through airport security in a clear Ziploc type plastic bag. Beverages purchased in the airport after clearing security are allowed. You are permitted to bring more than 100ml of baby formula, baby food, milk, or juice prescription and essential non-prescription medicines. You must declare these items at the security check desk.

6. Items that are considered weapons are banned such as knives, tools, pepper spray, and scissors. As well, loose batteries are not allowed on the flight. Lithium ion batteries in cell phones and laptops are allowed. You may not pack loose lithium batteries in your checked baggage, but spare lithium batteries are permitted in carry-on baggage. It is important to check with the airport if you have a concern about what items you are bringing.

7. Other security areas being enhanced include random screening of employees, stronger air cargo security measures, additional canine patrols, more thorough identity verification, deploying more trained security officers in bomb appraisal, and improved screening by observation techniques.

Many travelers do not think they have to worry about security checks, however, if you are caught with a banned item, you could be fined and even prosecuted. The last thing you want to happen is to be prevented from boarding your flight, or even worse, end up on the no fly list.