Better Safe than Sorry for March Break

Toronto – With Toronto students looking forward to March Break, many families will consider packing up the kids and head off on vacation. Popular destinations in Florida, Mexico and other parts of the Caribbean offer young families all-inclusive resort packages with all the mod-cons that money can buy. Five star hotels, extensive international menus, hot night clubs and sandy beaches are staples in the resort world, providing facilities and services that seem of similar standard to those available back home.

The problem? They’re not.

The luxury associated with these resorts often masks the true, underlying conditions of the region. For that reason, it is important to remember that you are in a different country; you must familiarize yourself with the area and take certain precautions. Florida continues to recover from the horrific hurricanes from less than a year ago, Mexico commonly serves up Montazuma’s revenge and the Caribbean plays host to a number of rare tropical diseases due to the climate and local wildlife. Falling ill or having an accident when traveling can be a frightening experience and so you should consider the potential safety risks connected with your chosen destination.

Laura Wood, President of Globetrotters Education Consulting Inc., says that parents and students must take the time to prepare for any trip by consulting a travel agent, speaking to people who have been to the area before and purchasing a recognized guide book. “It is just as important to prepare for a week-long trip to the Florida as it is to prepare for a month-long trip into the jungle.”

Among the health and safety tips in their annual Reading Week release of Health and Safety Tips for Families, Globetrotters Education Consulting Inc. includes the following tenets that are key to a happy holiday:

Health:
- Take extra medication than what is required for the duration of your trip, in case of emergency or an unexpected extension.
- Take all medications in their original containers with a prescription slip prepared by a doctor.
- Ensure all basic vaccinations are up-to-date (ie. Tetanus).
- Make sure personal health information is up-to-date and on your person at all times (ie. Medic Alert).
- “Boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it”; avoid all uncooked foods, say “no” to salad, only eat fruits that you have peeled personally, be wary of seafood and rare meats.
- Drink bottled water; only drink it when you have personally opened the bottle (sometimes restaurants will serve tap water in a bottle).
- Avoid unpasteurized dairy products (this includes some ice cream!).
- Ask for drinks with no ice.
- Use a sunscreen with a high SPF, wear hats when outdoors, drink lots of water and avoid long exposure to the sun; remember that young children and the elderly feel the heat far more quickly and severely so keep them well-hydrated and covered up.
- Use an effective bug repellent, wear light-coloured clothing and avoid exposing bare skin, particularly after dusk in regions where mosquitoes are common.
- Take your own First Aid kit with Band-Aids, ointment, headache pills, motion-sickness medication, etc.

Safety:
- Make photocopies of all important documents (passport, visa, tickets, insurance policy, traveler’s cheques) and keep them in a safe place away from the original documents.
- Keep the entire family’s collection of documents together; ask the hotel where you are staying if they have a safe.
- Set-up a known meeting point in a safe area in case someone gets separated from the group.
- Keep a list of emergency contact numbers with you at all times; make sure each child knows their name, the name of the hotel where the family is staying; consider putting an ID necklace on small children with their name, hotel and emergency contact in case they stray or get lost.
- Familiarize yourself with the local laws (they apply to you even though you are a foreigner).
- Make sure you rent vehicles from a reputable firm, ensuring that cars are safe, have enough seat-belts and legal car seats for young children.
- Use a money belt that is concealed by clothing.
- Avoid going out alone at night.
- Avoid flashy clothing, jewelry and camera equipment that draws undue attention.
- Do not accept drinks from strangers or drink from a glass that has not been in your possession.
- Pack your own luggage and do not agree to carry packages on behalf of others.
- Be wary of unregistered tour operators.
- Pay extra attention if you leave the resort at any time (these resorts are often situated in poor countries where you become a target).

It is always a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor before leaving to ensure you are in good physical shape to handle the conditions of your trip. See a travel health professional to understand the potential health risks in the region of your journey and ask for a list of the travel health clinics closest to your destination!

Most importantly, though, do not leave home without a comprehensive health insurance package to avoid large pay-outs and compromised medical treatment in the event of an emergency. “Many people think that their insurance from home or credit card will cover them while they are away,” explains Wood, “in fact, most of these plans offer little to no overseas coverage at all. We offer a competitive package for less than $15/week for up to $1 million in coverage, so inexpensive that there is no excuse to risk traveling without it.”

You want to travel to relax, learn and have fun. By preparing before you go, you will be able to deal effectively with any unforeseen circumstances that arise along the way. Remember: better safe than sorry!

Check out the Globetrotters Education Consulting Inc. website at www.globetrotterseducation.ca for more information about student travel opportunities.

If you would like the full version of Health and Safety Tips for Families emailed to you or desire more information about travel health insurance, or contact Laura Wood at laura@globetrotterseducation.ca or 416-565-4420.