The summer season is the perfect time to book a road trip vacation! Luckily, in North Carolina, road tripping is made easier with quick access to beautiful mountains or sunny beaches. Summer travel is a fun time for the whole family, but hiccups can come up while traveling that can cause stress and major headaches. Make sure you’re prepared for anything on your next road trip with these 5 summer travel tips for you and your family!
- Pack sunscreen AND bug spray
It may be the first thing you pack in your bag, or the last thing you think you need, but packing sunscreen and bug spray is essential to protecting your skin while traveling. Sunscreen not only prevents skin cancer and other skin conditions, but you’ll avoid pesky sunburns that can linger well after you get home from your trip. If you’re camping or heading to a heavily wooded area, bug spray is a must-have to avoid bites and rashes from mosquitos, ticks, and other critters. - Check for ticks
Speaking of ticks, doing anything you can to prevent them from sneaking under your clothes and latching onto your skin will help prevent diseases spread by ticks, such as Lyme Disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Do daily tick checks with the whole family, making sure to look at hard-to- see places like your scalp and back. Pack some tweezers, which are helpful for removing ticks in the case that one pops up. Showering thoroughly after spending time outdoors is a good idea as well. - Pack extra snacks and water
You want to be prepared for the worst when it comes to long road trips, especially with the kids in tow. In the case of a flat tire, endless traffic, or other delays, packing extra snacks and water will come in handy on a hot summer’s day. Put a case of water bottles in the trunk to stay hydrated and pack healthy snacks like fruit, granola bars, and nuts, which will keep energy levels up for the whole family. - Don’t forget a first aid kit
First aid kits are a must on any summer trip you take! Include first aid essentials like band aids, Benadryl, antibacterial ointment, and pain relievers to treat any bug bites, cuts, or headaches that may come your way. You can purchase small first aid kits at a drugstore or outdoor recreational store, or build your own. Don’t forget to pack any prescription medications your family takes, too! - Keep Important phone numbers on hand
If you’re traveling to a new place this summer, it’s important to be aware of how to access convenient medical care at your location in case of emergency. Jot down phone numbers and addresses of the closest urgent care and emergency room, and keep a poison control number on hand just in case.
Summer is an exciting season for road tripping and vacationing. Make sure you and your family have peace of mind and experience optimal relaxation during your getaway by preparing with these 5 summer travel tips!
Schedule an appointment with an Avance Care primary care provider before you jump into your summer travels.
