5 Travel Safety Tips for a Safe Memorial Day Weekend

A record 38 million Americans are expected to travel during this Memorial Day Weekend. As we start to enjoy the outdoors and more adventurous activities, hospitals and urgent care facilities are bracing themselves for an uptake in emergency cases. Starting Memorial Day Weekend and until the end of the summer season, emergency rooms usually see the number of injuries and trauma double compared to the winter months. The most common causes of injuries during the summer include car accidents, severe sunburn, water-sports injuries, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and falls.
 
Many of these incidents can easily be avoided by following preventive tips that will keep you and your family safe and healthy:
 
water.png To avoid dehydration, drink plenty of water or beverages high in electrolytes. Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine, as both are known to be diuretics. Eat fruits and vegetables which contain a lot of water such as grapefruits, peaches, eggplants and spinach.
sun.png To avoid sunburn, apply sunscreen containing appropriate level of SPF. Stay in the shade during peak hours (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.), cover your skin and wear a hat if you are exposed. Keep children in the shade as much as possible.
heat.png To avoid heat exhaustion and heatstroke, do not engage in physical activities during the hottest hours of the day. Get acclimated to the hot weather by slowly increasing the amount of time you spend outside.
swim.png To avoid water-related injuries, always bring a buddy when engaging in water sports and follow the lifeguards’ instructions. Get acclimated to the difference of temperature between outside and in the water. Restrain from consuming alcoholic beverages prior to water activities.
car.png To minimize the risks of car accidents, make sure all car maintenance is done before departure. Allow plenty of time to arrive at your destination and drive during off-peak hours. Stop every 100 miles or 2 hours and if possible, take turns with a passenger. 

Sometimes accidents, illnesses and injuries cannot be avoided – even for the most careful traveler. Global Travel Plus provides valuable medical and non-medical emergency services for travelers who find themselves injured or sick. Services include but are not limited to medical emergency evacuation, repatriation home, medical referrals, prescription assistance and assistance with lost luggage and documents.

To enroll in the Global Travel Plus program, visit www.globaltravelplus.com/Choose-Your-Plan.
Posted: 5/25/2018 4:16:08 PM