Traveling Abroad for the Holidays

"Tis the season to visit loved ones abroad or take a vacation with your family. Whether you’re seeking a winter wonderland or escaping subzero temperatures, follow these travel tips to get prepared for a healthy and safe holiday travel season.

Before You Go

• Learn about health concerns at your destination. Even if you’re familiar with the place, there may be new and important health risks that could make or break your trip.
• Make an appointment with a travel medicine specialist or your health care provider at least a month before you leave to learn about health concerns and vaccines needed at your destination.
  • Even if you are leaving soon, a visit to a travel medicine provider is still valuable.
  • If possible, children should complete their routine childhood vaccines on the normal schedule before traveling. Coordinate with a travel medicine doctor and your child’s pediatrician as soon as possible before travel regarding any needed travel vaccines.
• Pack a travel health kit. Include prescription and over-the-counter medicines (enough to last your whole trip, plus a little extra), sunscreen, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, first aid supplies, health insurance card, insect repellent, and condoms.
• Monitor travel warnings and alerts at your destination through the US State Department website.
  • You also can enroll with the nearest US embassy or consulate through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get the latest safety updates and help in an emergency..."
    Holiday travel abroad

Holiday Road Safety

"In the United States, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for people aged 1‒54, and more than 37,000 people were killed in crashes in 2016. However, many of these deaths can be prevented. Buckle up, drive sober, and stay safe on the roads this holiday season.

Here are some tips to help keep you and others safe on the road over the holidays:

• Use a seat belt in every seat, on every trip, no matter how short.
• Make sure children are always properly buckled in the back seat in a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt, whichever is appropriate for their age, height, and weight.
• Choose not to drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs, and help others do the same.
• Obey speed limits.
• Drive without distractions (such as using a cell phone or texting..."
  Holiday travel