Six Tips for Staying Safe on Summer Vacation

Summer months bring warm weather, sunshine, and often the desire to travel. Whether you are on summer break or using vacation time, summer is often the season associated with traveling and exploring.

While summer vacations are usually exciting and a positive experience, it is important to be aware of the dangers that lurk in the shadows. Before you jet set or hit the road to enjoy your time off, ensure you are staying safe on your summer vacation by following these six important safety tips.

Be Aware of the Laws

The same laws don’t apply in every state nor in every country! Prior to traveling, read up on laws to ensure you are on the right side and avoid getting into criminal trouble. “As the laws governing the use of illegal drugs, such as marijuana, continue to evolve, it’s important to understand that drug charges carry significant consequences,” note criminal defense attorneys from Hoelscher Gebbia Cepeda, PLLC.

The drinking age varies from country to country and in some countries, alcohol is outlawed altogether. If you are unsure of local laws, research; the World Legal Information Institute (WORLDLII) can connect you online sources for a country’s statutes.

Keep Your Expensive Items at Home or the Hotel

Never carry your credit cards, cash, and passport on your person at the same time. Utilize your hotel’s safe to store important documents, like your passport, and bring a copy of your passport for when you are out. It may also be a good idea to leave a copy of your passport with a friend or family member back home.

Only bring as much cash as necessary for the day and keep the rest safely stored in your room. Avoid bringing expensive jewelry and technology on your trip if possible; anything flashy or expensive could attract negative attention.

Make a Safety Plan

Whether you are visiting an amusement park, attending a concert, or exploring a new country, create a safety plan. If anyone loses phone service, someone’s phone battery dies, or someone’s phone is stolen, decide on a designated place to reconvene. Make your party aware of all local EMT and hospital locations in case of injury or illness.

It is also a good idea to leave a copy of your itinerary with trusted friends and family members back home. Let them know where you are planning on going and the routes you are planning to take.

Use Sun Protection

Spending time outside is a great way to take advantage of the beautiful summer weather, but it also can put you at risk of sun damage. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, which can be easily prevented by doing the following:

• Opting to stay in the shade
• Covering up skin with long shirts, pants, and long skirts
• Putting on sunglasses
• Applying and re-applying sunscreen

Avoid Social Media

Social media is often used to share exciting life events and trips. Feel free to post as much as you want-after you return from your vacation. Posting updates, videos, photos, or “checking in” broadcasts the fact that you and your family are away from your home. This may tip off criminals that no one is home and provide a timeline of your absence.

Disinfect to Protect

Sanitation should always be on your priority list when traveling. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of sanitization, reminding the public that preventative actions can help keep ourselves and our communities healthy.

Keep the momentum going with prioritizing hygienic behaviors. Wearing masks, using hand sanitizer, wiping down commonly touched areas, and laundering items with hot water and effective detergent are easy ways to prevent illness while traveling.

Wherever you find yourself this summer, put safety first. By following these six safety tips, you can help keep yourself and your families safe in your local neighborhoods and abroad.