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The essentials for your travel first aid kit revealed
Today’s post caught me off guard. I’ve never thought about preparing a first aid kit for travel. I mean, sure if I’m going on a cruise, I’ll take some Dramamine, or if we’re visiting another country, I’ll be sure everyone got their shots. But to pack allergy medicine, didn’t cross my mind. If you’re like me, then I’m glad to bring this information to you.
Author and mom blogger, Lisa Shusterman from “Around the World in Easy Ways,” shares with us the things we should consider packing in our first aid kit as we embark on travel season with the kids.
Around the World in Easy Ways Blog | Lisa Shusterman
Every traveler knows you shouldn’t leave home without it. No, I’m not talking about your American Express card; I’m talking about a first aid kit.
While most people will have access to supplies somewhere along the way, the reality is, when you want what you want when you want it, it’s just best to have it with you rather than depend on finding it. Obviously you can’t carry an entire pharmacy in your bag, so what should you carry?
(READ MORE)
Top 10 dirtiest hotels in America, revealed
Hmmm, that’s something we rarely discuss here at FTS. I’m always focused on customer service and perks for the family traveler, but this list is worth browsing.
The list often refers to these hotels as “cheap,” however, some of the priciest hotels can fall short, sometimes. When you book your next room, consider customer reviews instead of rates, and when all else fails, go with major chains like Marriott or Hilton. Usually, you can’t go wrong with these brands to get you and your little ones through the night.
Newser.com
(Newser) – Unless you like urine-scented rooms and hairs in the bathtub, you probably won’t want to stay at any of Trip Advisor’s top 10 dirtiest hotels in the US. Below, a sampling of the user reviews:
- Heritage Marina Hotel, San Francisco: “The second room ‘appeared’ clean until we realized the next morning that we slept with bed bugs.”
- Days Inn Eureka/Six Flags, Eureka, Mo: “The smell was horrible. The floors and walls were dirty. There was food and beverage spilled and dried up all over the place.”
- Tropicana Resort Hotel, Virginia Beach: “The ice machine produces dirty ice and is not fit to use.”
- Super 8 Virginia Beach/At the Ocean, Virginia Beach: “There were hairs in the bathtub, and bugs on the counter.”
- Quality Inn, Stroudsburg, Pa: “Mold in one of the rooms, a maxi pad stuck to another family member’s blow dryer, dirty towels left in our room.”
- New York Inn, New York City: “Vile—the room smelt continuously of Subway food—it got into your clothes and made you feel sick.”
- Parisian Hotel & Suites, Miami Beach: “People doing drugs everywhere! All you can hear is banging on the walls and people screaming at each other!”
- Capistrano Seaside Inn, Capistrano Beach, Calif: “After spending only four hours in this place, I was worried about catching Hepatitis.”
- Desert Lodge, Palm Springs: “Fortunately we travel with Tea Tree Oil, a natural disinfectant and, believe me, we used lots of it!”
- Continental Oceanfront Hotel South Beach, Miami Beach: “This hotel should be condemned.”
iPhone Apps That are Sure to Ease the Pain of Family Travel
By now, many of you should be sitting down with family and friends to enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner so I’ll make this quick.
Did you know that there are at least 11 iPhone applications that are specifically geared to ease the stress of traveling with the family? This is news to me. I’m still using my Palm Smartphone. After reading this, I’m going to take my husband’s advice and make the switch to an iPhone in the VERY near future. Technology is insane, and I love it.
Now, if only I can find a reason to switch from a PC to a Mac :/
Dreamweaver and Web Development Blog
The holiday season is upon us and along with the food, festivities and fun comes the joys of traveling. Whether near or far, traveling with kids brings its own set of challenges. Regardless of whether you are embarking by plane, train, or automobile, anything longer than an hour or so will inevitably result in antsy kids and “are we there yet?” whines.
In an attempt to ease some of the hassles of traveling – especially when battling the legions of fellow travelers during the holiday season – the following is a list of iPhone apps for making that long journey a little easier.
Note: Due to the sheer number of travel-related iPhone apps available, this particular list was compiled with only US travel in mind.
1. Pack and Go Deluxe
Before the journey even begins, packing yourself and other family members requires a great deal of organization. If you’re traveling with young children, things get more complicated when there are essentials like diapers, wipes, formula, bottles and baby food that you need with you. This app enables you to pick from a master catalogue of hundreds of items and create your own lists to ensure nothing gets left behind.
Cost: $2.99
2. Rest Area Finder
When you’re driving with the family on the Interstate and nature calls, knowing where the closest rest stop is can be a lifesaver. With this handy app, your location is constantly updated and rest stop information, i.e. rest rooms, gas, food, pet walking, vending machines, etc., is available so you can determine where to stop based on whether the kid needs to go or the dog does.
Cost: Free (READ MORE)
Online Site Dedicated to Equipping Its Readers on How to Sleep in an Airport
We usually stay away from tips and hotel specials (you can get that info everywhere) however, I found this site and couldn’t pass up sharing this information with you.
The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are upon us and many of you are planning to take a flight to somewhere :/
My job is to keep you informed and equip you on how to ensure that you have a great experience traveling with your family, right? Well, chances are, some of you will experience delayed and even cancelled flights. In fact, let’s just put it out there, expect delays, it’s that simple.
If and when your flight is delayed or cancelled, today’s post is to bring you up to speed on how to get some sleep for both you and the kids while you wait and wait to get to where you want to be.
Not to be pessimistic, just realistic and ready for anything, I’ll also add to plan on having your luggage misplaced. Just in case, have a carry-on that has everything you and the kids will need just in case your bags simply don’t make it to the final destination.
The Guide to Sleeping in Airports
Tips
1. Always Have a Backup Plan: This is the most important tip for anyone who voluntarily sleeps in airports. Some airport officials are not totally supportive of the airport sleeping idea. Although in 95% of the airports you won’t be kicked out, you will be asked why you are there, why you are not in a hotel like normal people and they will ask for proof that you are flying out the next day. So BE PREPARED to answer those questions! They seem to not appreciate us using these massive wastes of space as our personal hotels — go figure!?!? (READ MORE)
TripAdvisor Editor Cautions Reader Against Flying with the Flu
A reader asked whether she should consider taking a flight to attend her sister’s wedding, despite her flu-like symptoms. Columnist, Lesley Carlin highly advised against it, even if the reader was planning to wear a mask.
What would you do? Have you ever flown with a cold or while you were very sick?
ABC News Travel via TripAdvisor.com, Lesley Carlin
Q: What should you do if you have the flu but have to fly (say, to attend your sister’s wedding)? Wear a mask? I think I might be coming down with swine flu (I was exposed at work) but my sister will never forgive me if I miss her wedding this weekend.
A: If you’re sick and have a trip coming up, go to the doctor—especially if you think you might have the flu (H1N1 or garden-variety). If the doctor says you have something contagious, you need to stay home. Period. As for masks, the CDC says they do not completely prevent flu transmission. So unfortunately, that’s not a real solution—if you have the flu, you simply shouldn’t fly.
I know there are all sorts of excuses you can make—a family obligation, a big meeting, “My ticket was expensive!” etc.—but the truth is, if you fly with the flu, you’re exposing lots of innocent strangers to a virus that could make them seriously ill. And I think we can all agree it’s bad manners to make other people sick if it’s in your power to prevent it. (READ MORE)
Disney Addresses the Fear of Swine Flu Spreading at Its Parks
Actually, it’s not Disney who’s overly concerned about the spread of the deadly virus. The call came after one of the park goers posted a warning on their blog about many people appearing to be sick while they visited the park. Side note: Parents, this truly illustrates the power of social media…use it!
Anywho, Disney and other theme parks, or places where a mass of people congregate have expressed that they are concerned about the spread of the virus. Disney even reports that they have ordered more than 200,000 individual hand sanitizers for Disney World and have placed them in various locations throughout its parks.
Honestly, parents, carry on. No sense living life in fear. Take precautions, but don’t let fears like these stop you from enjoying time with your family.
The New York Times Travel, Michelle Higgins
FOR many Americans, the fear of swine flu has made everyday acts like going to work, going to school or getting on a plane feel fraught with danger — even more so since President Obama recently declared swine flu a national emergency.
Now, even Mickey Mouse is being looked at with suspicion.
With their international visitors, crowded conditions and touchy-feely interaction among guests and dressed-up storybook characters, theme parks like Walt Disney World and Disneyland are being viewed as the perfect petri dishes for the H1N1 virus by some worried travelers.
Disney fans’ discussion boards are buzzing about the fears of transmission and whether some people are putting their fellow vacationers at risk. One visitor recently wrote on DISBoards.com, an online forum for Disney fans, “I just got back last night, and I did notice that there were a few people running around Disney World with what seemed to be more than a little cold.” The discussion came under the heading: “Please do NOT go to Disney World if you (or your children) are sick.” (READ MORE)
Delay at Newark Liberty Airport Due to Sick Passenger
Ladies and gentlemen, why is this even making the news?
Oh! I remember, it’s flu season and the media is doing its part to ensure that we (the people) are on the up and up about who’s sick and may be contagious. Keep in mind, the media is using the Swine Flu (H1N1) as a scare tactic to increase its ratings.
I guess with all the H1N1 talk, those little white bags in the seat pockets will no longer suffice. So much for the company who was hired to manufacture those little cute bags…hmm, I wonder how their bottom line is doing?
As you travel along the globe with your children, just use common sense. You don’t have to be fearful.
For the fun of it, here’s the story…
New Jersey Newsroom, Noah Cohen
An American Airlines flight from Newark to Dallas was delayed for two hours Tuesday morning after a passenger vomited and members of the passenger’s family reported feeling sick.
Flight No. 1485 returned to the gate and officials from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were called in along with emergency medical workers.
“There was one sick passenger who had mild gastrointestinal illness with possibly some dehydration,” said Christine Pearson, a CDC spokeswoman.
Other members of the sick person’s family were also on board and taken by ambulance to University Hospital in Newark for evaluation. The CDC will seek follow up information from the hospital but does not plan to investigate further, Pearson said.
The plane was scheduled to leave at 9:20 a.m. from Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport and arrive at 12:20 p.m. in Dallas Fort Worth International Airport but was delayed until 11:19 a.m. and landed at 1:26 p.m., according to American Airlines flight information.
American Airlines spokesman Ned Raynolds said the plane was not evacuated or cleaned because medical staff did not feel there was a threat to other passengers. He said the family arrived sick on a Continental Airlines flight from Paris. The Star-Ledger reported the family was from Pakistan and had arrived in the area from Paris on Monday.
A message seeking comment from Continental was not immediately returned. (READ MORE)
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists OK Flying a Few Days Before Due Date
I understand that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) have approved taking flight as late as 38 weeks for healthy, pregnant women, but I think it’s our [pregnant women] responsiblity to draw the line.
For me, my rule is no flying after 30 weeks.
Can you imagine? Airline attendants already become agitated when you press the button to ask for an extra pillow, I certainly wouldn’t want them taking part in something as sacred as the birth of my child. Although this is enlightening news, I recommend staying grounded once you reach 30-35 weeks.
Daily Press, Judith Graham
The Boston woman was in her 38th week of pregnancy when a close family member died in New York City.
She asked her obstetrician, Dr. William Barth Jr. of Massachusetts General Hospital, if traveling to the funeral was out of the question.
No, it’s fine to make a quick plane trip, the doctor remembers telling his patient after he examined her. “I thought the likelihood of labor was low, and this was an important occasion,” he said.
Indeed, occasional air travel is safe for healthy pregnant women, according to a new committee opinion issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
That holds true even in the last month of pregnancy, although most doctors generally prefer that women stop air travel around 36 weeks in case they go into early labor, said Barth, chairman of ACOG’s Committee on Obstetric Practice.
“Exercise normal precautions” by drinking lots of water, getting up and walking, wearing support stockings and keeping your seat belt fastened while seated, he advises soon-to-be moms who choose to fly. Because pregnant women are at increased risk of blood clots, these measures are “even more important,” Barth said.
If your stomach has been on a roll during pregnancy, consider taking an anti-nausea pill before getting on a plane. Also, avoid consuming foods or drinks that can cause gas because gas will expand in your stomach at high altitudes.
Some airlines require a note from a doctor if a pregnant woman wants to travel up to a month before her due date. “It’s not that flying is particularly dangerous at that time,” Barth said. “It’s that the probability of going into labor is higher,” and airlines want to avoid that possibility.
If you have control over your schedule, traveling by plane in mid-pregnancy (14 to 28 weeks) is preferable because that’s when the risks of miscarriage and premature labor are lowest, according to the Mayo Clinic. (READ MORE)
Holiday Travel Forecast Calls For Lots of Advanced Planning and Expected Bag Loss
Going anywhere this holiday season?
Today’s article is great info that you can use to prep for what’s to be expected during your travels in the airport this season, as if you didn’t already know :/.
All this talk about the Swine Flu has many on the lookout for avoiding bacteria infested places and double dosing their Airborne intake before they board the plane.
MSNBC Travel, Harriet Baskas
As our memories of summer vacations fade, it’s time to start making travel plans for the holidays.
Coordinating schedules with friends, family and the airlines is hard enough, but this year there are business headlines and health news we must factor into our decisions.
Flight delays down, lost bags up
Statistics released by the Transportation Department earlier this month show complaints about lost luggage inched higher in August while airlines showed a slight improvement in on-time arrivals.
Airlines may be having an easier time getting from here to there because fewer people are flying and there are fewer jets in the air. According to a report released by the Brookings Institution, however, delays will most certainly get worse — especially in the 26 metropolitan hubs that serve about 75 percent of all domestic travelers.
The authors of the Brookings report had some ideas on how to ease and avert future congestion in the skies (investing in high-speed rail for short haul travel is one of them), but fliers booked on full flights this holiday season might keep their sanity — and their luggage — if they keep these tips in mind:
Airfares are generally lower than last year due to reduced demand, but they will likely rise, as they traditionally do, around the holidays. (READ MORE)
Travel Industry Does Its Part to Prevent the Spread of Influenza
I am happy to report these amazing stories this week. The travel industry has really been stepping up and taking responsiblity where its needed. Yesterday, we talked about the baggage program and today’s report discloses what the industry is doing to make sure its guests stay healthy during the flu season. This is fabulous! Keep the good stuff coming.
The New York Times, Martha C. White
The travel industry was hard hit after the first reports of swine flu emerged from Mexico in the spring. Trips were canceled, destination weddings were moved elsewhere and flights were grounded as traveler demand plummeted.
So the industry, already reeling from the effects of the recession, has reason to be cautious as the autumn flu season gets under way. Still, because the H1N1 pandemic strain, or swine flu, has generally not been more virulent than ordinary seasonal flu, airports, hotels and airlines are trying to find a balance between showing that they are taking substantive steps and not acting so aggressively that they set off a panic among travelers.
Their actions can best be described as preventive. So instead of cutting back on high-traffic services like buffet dining in areas affected by the virus, as they did in the spring, hotel representatives say they are focusing on day-to-day measures.
Most major hotel brands, among them Marriott, Hilton, Starwood and Intercontinental, are ramping up the cleaning of items most frequently touched by guests, like phones, hand rails, elevator buttons and fitness equipment. And they have added signs in the kitchens, administrative offices and other “back of the house” parts of hotels, reminding employees to wash their hands frequently and to cough or sneeze into a tissue rather than their hands. (READ MORE)
