With the holidays and winter break approaching, it’s time to think about what you’re doing with your family. Whether you’re traveling around the world or just taking a trip nearby, here are a few things to keep in mind while you’re on the road.
- Be prepared for anything. Check the weather forecast before you leave. It can be easy to forget that there could be snow or ice at your destination. Check the weather conditions for where you are going, as well as for your return trip. If there’s significant weather in the area, consider making plans to stay longer, so that you don’t risk getting stranded somewhere because of bad weather.
- Pack appropriately. Be sure to pack appropriate clothing for your trip — including hats and gloves if necessary — as well as medications and extra batteries for any devices that need them (including phone chargers). You’ll also want to keep important documents such as passports, birth certificates and other identification in your carry-on bag or purse in case your checked luggage gets lost during travel.
- Check in with family members while traveling. Make sure everyone knows where they can reach you while you’re gone by leaving contact information with friends and family members, including emergency contacts if needed.
- In addition to your regular medication, keep extra prescription medications on hand in case of sudden illness or injury during travel. Be sure to label all medications clearly with your name, address and phone number so they can be returned if necessary. If possible, pack medications in their original containers with labels intact.
- Don’t forget to charge all of your devices — including cellphones, tablets and laptops — before heading out of town.
- Make copies of all your important documents — including passports, driver’s licenses and credit cards — before you leave town. Store them in a safe place at home so that if something happens while you’re away, you won’t have to worry about replacing them right away.
