5 TIPS FOR SAFE
HOLIDAY TRAVEL
(Family Features)
The holiday season can be stressful
enough before adding travel to the
mix. Coordinating ground or air travel
and planning accommodations, even if you’re
simply staying with loved ones, is often just
the beginning and health and safety concerns
can fall by the wayside.
For example, the highest incidence rate
of cardiac mortality for the entire year occurs
between Christmas and New Year’s Day,
according to the American Heart Association,
and more than 350,000 out-of-hospital
cardiac arrests occur each year in the United
States.
If you’re among the 62% of Americans
who plan to travel this holiday season,
according to research conducted by IPX1031,
consider these tips to protect your health and
safety.
Plan Ahead
Proper planning can help ensure you’re
prepared to handle any unexpected
challenges or delays when you depart.
Check the weather before heading out -
including at your destination - and travel
around any anticipated storms. Leave early to
account for potentially heavy traffi c and plot
your path in advance to ensure you’re aware
of any road closures
or construction,
which can allow
you to fi nd alternate
routes, if necessary,
rather than trying to
adjust on the fl y.
Ensure Your
Family is Up
to Date on
Vaccines
Routine vaccinations can help protect
you from infectious diseases that can be
easily spread when around a large group
of people. The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention recommends the seasonal fl u
vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and
older. Other vaccines, such as the COVID-19
vaccine or booster and measles vaccine, can
help protect not only your health, but your
loved ones as well.
Learn CPR
Only about 40% of people who suffer from
cardiac arrest receive cardiopulmonary
resuscitation, or CPR, from a bystander,
according to the American Heart Association.
However, immediate CPR can double or
triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of
survival.
Just in time for the holiday season,
revamped Hands-
Only CPR training
kiosks, which
provide an overview
of Hands-Only
CPR followed by a
practice session and
a 30-second test, are
available in airports,
hospitals and other
locations around the
country. With the
help of a practice
mannequin, the
kiosks give feedback
about the depth and
rate of compression,
as well as proper hand placement - factors
that infl uence the effectiveness of CPR - and
teaches the two simple steps:
1. Call 911
2. Push hard and fast in the center of the
chest of the individual experiencing cardiac
arrest until help arrives
Many of the Hands-Only CPR kiosks, as
well as the Hands-Only CPR campaign, are
supported by Elevance Health Foundation.
To fi nd a kiosk along your travel path, visit
heart.org/handsonlycpr.
Prepare Your Vehicle
Car trouble is a common culprit during
holiday travel. To help avoid potential issues,
have your vehicle checked before embarking
on an extended trip. Check tires, the battery,
headlights, windshield wipers and any other
parts that may be adversely impacted by
winter weather. Also ensure your vehicle is
equipped with essentials like a spare tire or
infl ation kit, jack, jumper cables, blankets,
a fi rst aid kit and a fl ashlight in case of an
emergency.
Pack a Health Kit
If you take prescription or over-the-counter
medications, it may be diffi cult to quickly get
a refi ll at your destination, so be sure to pack
enough to last your entire trip, plus extras
in case you encounter any travel delays. It
may also be helpful to pack other essentials
including hand sanitizer, a fi rst-aid kit, cold
medicine, aspirin and your health insurance
card in case of any unexpected injuries or
illnesses while on the road.
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