School might almost be starting for you, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t go on vacation! We are actually taking our “Summer vacation” in September after school is back in session to avoid the crowds! We are headed to Hawaii next month and I can’t wait!! If you have any suggestions of things to do in Oahu let me know! We are working on trip planning now. Today I am excited to have Christine here to share with us some things you might not think about before you go on vacation, a list of To-Dos before you head out!
To-Dos before Leaving for Summer Vacation
By Christine H.
If you haven’t already set out for your summer vacation, you’re probably planning a trip soon. And while your head is probably full of all the exciting parts of traveling… where to eat, what souvenirs you’re going to buy, and how to make sure you don’t get a sunburn… it’s wise to take a moment before you leave to make sure that everything is safe and secure before your departure.
When you’re traveling, any kind of security risk is heightened. It’s harder to find and access help when you need it, and people tend to take advantage of travelers who don’t know what’s going on around them. Here are a few things that you can do in order to be safer and more secure during your upcoming vacation:
Double-Check Your Home’s Security
If potential burglars know that you’re going out of town, your home will be especially vulnerable while you’re away. So take a moment before you go to scan the circumference of your home and identify weak spots. Is there a window that’s usually left open? Is that motion-sensitive light on the side of your home burned out? There are many things that you can do to keep your home secure when you leave, from improving your garage’s security (usually the weakest place in the average house) to asking a neighbor to check in on your home from time to time and collect any newspapers or mail.
Take Precautions for Tech Safety
Few of us think to protect our online activity while we travel. But the truth is that while you’re moving around, hopping onto different WiFi networks, and logging into unfamiliar places, it’s very easy for hackers to steal your identity and your credit card numbers. This link has some great suggestions for staying more secure in your online activity. Set up passwords on your phone, check for secure transactions when making reservations and buying things online, and keep a close eye on your bank account.
Talk to Your Bank
Speaking of watching your bank account, it’s always smart to let your bank know when you’re traveling. In fact, it’s often something that you can update on your online account. This prevents your bank from freezing your account in response to unusual activity. It can also allow your bank to take quick action in case you lose your wallet, or something else that compromises the security of your accounts.
Ensure (and Insure) Your Itinerary
There are two things that any smart traveler should do, especially if they’re going abroad. The first thing is to print out important details of their trip and share it with someone they trust at home. This will include contact numbers for places where you’re staying, the daily itinerary, and a photocopy of your passport. This means that if your plans go awry, you get lost, or you lose your things, you can call this trusted person at home and get the details you need to contact the right people and get things taken care of.
The second thing is to get travel insurance. Travel insurance covers a few important things, in case things go awry on your trip. It can pay for lost luggage, delayed flights, and even medical emergencies that happen while you’re traveling.
Check Health before the Trip
Nothing throws off a trip like a medical emergency. And while it’s true that accidents happen and you just might have to roll with the punches, there are also things that you can do before your trip to minimize your risk of a health emergency.
Problems like tonsils needing to be extracted, a cracked tooth that could turn into a dental emergency, mismanaged medications, or even allergies, can all be mitigated or eliminated with a health check-up before your trip. If it’s been a while since you’ve been to the dentist, or your general practitioner, set up an appointment before the trip to make sure everything’s in top form.
Thanks Christine for all of these great To-Dos before vacation! Really good things to think about! Where are you headed on your next vacation?
