By Family Features | Contributor
The holiday period can be overwhelming, especially with the added stress of travel. Whether it’s by land or air, organizing your journey and planning where to stay—even if it’s with family—can be just the start, often sidelining essential health and safety measures.
According to the American Heart Association, the peak period for cardiac mortality occurs between Christmas and New Year’s Day, and over 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests take place annually in the U.S.
If you’re one of the 62% of Americans intending to travel this holiday season, as indicated by research from IPX1031, keep these suggestions in mind to safeguard your well-being and security.
Prepare in Advance
Effective preparation can help you tackle unexpected challenges or delays when you set off. Be sure to check the weather conditions before you leave—both at home and at your destination—and try to travel around any impending storms. Depart earlier to account for heavy traffic and plan your route ahead of time to stay informed about any road closures or construction that may require alternative paths, rather than needing to adapt spontaneously.
Keep Your Family Updated on Vaccinations
Staying current with vaccinations is crucial for warding off contagious illnesses that can spread easily in crowds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises anyone aged 6 months and older to receive the seasonal flu shot. Other vaccines, such as the COVID-19 vaccine or booster and measles vaccine, contribute not only to your health but also to the safety of those around you.
Learn CPR
Unfortunately, only around 40% of individuals experiencing cardiac arrest receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from a bystander, according to the American Heart Association. However, administering CPR immediately can significantly increase the victim’s chances of survival.
To coincide with the festive season, newly enhanced Hands-Only CPR training kiosks are now available in airports, hospitals, and other venues nationwide. These kiosks provide an overview of Hands-Only CPR, followed by a practice session and a quick 30-second evaluation. Using a training mannequin, participants receive feedback on compression depth, rate, and proper hand positioning—all critical for effective CPR—and learn the two straightforward steps:
1. Call 911
2. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest until professional help arrives
Many Hands-Only CPR kiosks, along with the Hands-Only CPR initiative, are backed by the Elevance Health Foundation. To locate a kiosk along your travel route, visit heart.org/handsonlycpr.
Service Your Vehicle
Vehicle breakdowns are a frequent issue during holiday travel. To mitigate potential problems, have your car inspected before any long journeys. Check necessary components like tires, battery, headlights, windshield wipers, and anything else susceptible to winter conditions. Moreover, ensure your car has essentials such as a spare tire or inflation kit, a jack, jumper cables, blankets, a first aid kit, and a flashlight in case of emergencies.
Prepare a Health Kit
If you use any prescription or non-prescription medications, it may not be easy to get a refill while away, so be sure to bring enough for the duration of your trip, plus additional supplies for unforeseen delays. Also, consider including other key items such as hand sanitizer, a first aid kit, cold medicine, aspirin, and your health insurance card to address any unexpected health issues that might arise during travel.
Editor’s Note: This content is not meant as a replacement for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and does not represent medical or other professional guidance.
