5 Holiday Health & Safety Musts*

I don’t know if it’s because I’m a parent now, or if it’s an age thing, but when it comes to holidays and travelling, I’m a lot less “fly by the seat of your pants” and a lot more meticulous planning & safety checks these days. Being in the UK and knowing I have my bank’s phone numbers, my emergency contacts on hand and NHS gives me peace of mind, something I need to replicate for when I go on holiday, just in case the worst should ever happen. I’m a firm believer in “better safe than sorry” in most aspects of my life. Prior to becoming a mother I never went on holiday with travel insurance, I always carried wads of cash, I never put my belongings in the safe and I don’t even think I put a lock on my suitcase. Not that much has changed in the world in the last 6 years, aside from the fact I now have another person depending on me, and that makes a huge difference.

So here are five things about health and safety I consider before going on holiday;

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Do We Need Vaccinations?
As of yet, I’ve never been anywhere that has required more than the bog standard UK vaccinations that I received as a child and teen. However if I was travelling somewhere more off the beaten track I would be instantly looking up what vaccinations I needed before travelling. Some vaccinations are available through the NHS but if you’re heading further afield to more obscure holiday destinations there are a few that are suggested and you do have to pay for. In my opinion, the expense of getting the vaccination is a lot worse than if you fall sick while on holiday.

Do We Have Travel Insurance?
These days as we travel abroad so often (three times this year already and a possible three more times before our insurance is up) I buy a years worth of insurance at the same time. It actually doesn’t cost that much more than single trip insurance. Last year I bought EU only insurance as I knew we weren’t going to be going to the US, but this year I needed to pay extra for world wide cover. When buying always check what does travel insurance cover before pressing the pay button. For me, ensuring the insurance has a decent medical expense cover and lost property cover are most important, this is next to cancellation cover (although I book with my credit card to have this anyway).

What Factor Sun Cream Do We Need?
Ever since I was a kid and a doctor told me I would be at risk of skin cancer due to being fair with loads of moles I’ve been obsessed with sun cream. When I used to go on holiday as a teen and everyone else wanted a tan, I was wearing total block and ensuring I stayed in the shade. Even now if we’re going to Florida I only buy kids factor 50 and pop it on both LM and I. If we’re going to Europe or at home I have a minimum or 30 on and I put factor 15 on my face in the form of BB cream every single day. This is a great guide to sun creams SPF and star ratings if you’re unsure.

Do We Need Insect Repellent?
As a rule of thumb, if I think i’m going to be near a lot of plants and it’s going to be pretty hot I pay insect repellent. My body seems to be a feast for pesky bugs and it seems no matter where I go I get bitten be it the Lake District or New Jersey. I usually buy a spray that is suitable for children and use it on both LB and I.

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Is My First Aid Kit Up to Date?
Finally, this applies to both at home and away. Prior to becoming a parent my first aid kit at home consisted of plasters to cover any blisters from the ridiculous high heels I wore out the night before and pain killers for the hang over. These days I have two full first aid kits, one for holidays and one for home. I periodically check the dates to ensure everything is in date (medicine and bandages do go out of date) and I replace anything I use. It has everything from kid friendly pain killers to bite cream, a range of pain killers, deep heat and an abundance of plasters. I feel like a Brownie Guide as i’m always prepared!

In the past I would have seen all of this as additional expense I didn’t need to think about when going on holiday, now I automatically budget it in, and so should you! At the very least, check everything in your medicine cabinet is in date!