Now that summer has officially arrived, there’s no question that it’s time to have fun in the sun. The kids are out of school, some businesses have begun to open up again, and the weather is getting nicer by the day.
One of the best ways to enjoy the summer is through a nice vacation. Road tripping down the coast, camping out in tents, or renting a cabin by the beach to indulge in the salty waves by the ocean: whatever you choose to do, staying safe should be on the top of your list of priorities.
Do you want to have a safer summer? Rely on these summer vacation safety tips to make the most of your romp in the sun.
Follow social distancing guidelines
Summer vacation safety tips are different compared to years’ past. After all, now we have to protect ourselves from the threat of disease. With the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2, still sweeping the nation, it only makes sense to include this factor in the top summer vacation safety tips for 2020.
This is especially important since many states are in varying levels of reopening. Some fields, like the industrial construction industry, never shut down. But locally-owned boutiques, offices, and entertainment centers have all been eagerly awaiting their phase of reopening. However, not all states have reached the same milestones.
New York State, for example, just reached stage 4. However, states like California have only reached stage 2. On top of that, there’s no rule saying that these states can’t back-track if COVID-19 cases continue to rise. When you’re traveling to another state — or even another county — be sure that you’re looking up the coronavirus reopening status to ensure you’re not putting yourself and others at risk.
As a basic rule of thumb, it’s recommended that you still stay at least six feet apart from others in public. You should also be wearing masks wherever you go, even if it’s to the park or other crowded outdoor spaces. You should also wash your hands regularly and use hand sanitizer to prevent the spread of infection. Even if you’re not showing symptoms, that doesn’t mean you’re not also spreading the infection. Many people have passed away from COVID-19 and many more are relying on a physical therapist to help recover from the worst of the symptoms. Take this seriously, even if most places are pretending to go back to normal.
If you have any questions, be sure to look up state guidelines for reopening before you embark on your next vacation. You deserve to have fun in the sun, but doing it safely is key.
Road tripping rules
There’s nothing better than loading up your car and hitting the open road. Whether you’re traveling an hour away or embarking on a 10-day quest, it’s important to stay safe.
After all, you’re operating a vehicle that weighs almost two tons (sometimes more if it’s loaded with all your luggage). As such, you should be driving in accordance with the speed limit determined by the state, using your turning signals at all times, and wearing your seatbelt whenever you’re driving on the road.
However, the best summer vacation safety tips recommend practicing good safety before you even hit the road. Before you go on your road trip, be sure to invest in a proper auto inspection. That way, you can get any automotive repairs before they turn into a major issue in the middle of the highway. The last thing you want to do is become stranded on the side of the road in an unfamiliar place.
Speaking of which, you should consider which gas is right for your car, too. Plan out where to get gas or where the nearest diesel fuel supplier options are on your map. That way, you’ll never run out of gas and become stranded.
You’ll also want to pack your car with heavy items on the bottom and lighter items on the top. If you’re worried that your objects will move around, try to pad the open spaces with blankets or use bungee cables to rope things down. While you’re at it, make sure certain objects are easily accessible, like healthy snacks and feminine hygiene products. The last thing you want is to have to fish these items from a stack of boxes and suitcases.
Road tripping can take a long time and you should also be wary of falling asleep on the road. It’s easy to get lulled into a doze when you’re on miles of highway for extended periods of time. Be sure to switch out drivers at the first sign of sleepiness. You should also never drink and drive, but that includes your passengers. Many states have “open bottle” laws which demand that all alcoholic beverages are sealed. Otherwise, you could get pulled over or worse, seriously injured in a crash. Investing in dental bonding to fix your teeth after an accident is never going to be considered a fun vacation activity.
You should also consider where you’re going to store your car at night. It might be safe in the hotel parking lot, but it’s even better if it’s protected by a roll up door on a garage to keep it away from the elements. You should also avoid parking it under trees to avoid damage from falling branches and bird droppings, especially in the summer.
Bolster your boating
Boating is one of the quintessential summer activities. From party boats to speed boats to fishing boats, most people can’t imagine a summer spent solely on land.
As such, it’s important to follow summer vacation safety tips for boats, too. You should have at least one life jacket per passenger on your boat, along with a flare gun, a radio, and fresh water to drink when you’re away from shore. Even though most locations engage in preventative shoreline erosion efforts, like seawall erosion control, an errant rock or landslide could leave your boat stranded away from shore. In the event that you’re in a pickle while boating, it’s thanks to these tools that you’ll be able to get help.
If you plan on fishing, you should also learn how to do it safely on a boat. After all, it can be very different from fishing on land. Be sure you have enough space to cast your line, otherwise, you might hook a fellow passenger. Getting linear scars are common when it comes to surgeries, but they’re less appealing when they occur because of a simple accident that was easily preventable. Keep your fishing supplies well away from your food supplies too; any cross-contamination could put your passengers at risk.
You should also never let someone drive a boat that doesn’t have experience, especially when it comes to boating near the shoreline. One false move and you could accidentally cause serious damage to another person. Only let people with boating licenses drive, never drink and drive a boat, and be sure to stock sunscreen during your time out on the water. People don’t often think of summer vacation safety tips that include boating since it doesn’t seem as dangerous as driving a car. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Boat safely to ensure your family makes the most of the water this summer.
Enjoy the weather
The best part of summer is, without a doubt, the sunshine. Unfortunately, there are a few summer vacation safety tips to consider when it comes to sunny weather:
- Wear sunscreen. Even spending 15 minutes out in the sun unprotected can result in skin damage. Wear sunscreen or cover up with light, loosely fitting clothing to prevent getting burned.
- Drink plenty of water. With the heat and humidity rising, you’ll need to drink plenty of water to prevent heat exhaustion and similar issues from occurring.
- Stay in the shade. There’s nothing wrong with getting a little tan, but heat exhaustion risks skyrocket if you’re left out in the sun. At the first sign of weakness, find a cool place to sit and catch your breath.
- Watch out for bugs. Mosquitoes are most active in the early morning and in the evening. If you’re spending time outdoors during this time, be sure to bring bug spray with you. You should also use bug spray and cover your body in the event that you’re going on a hike to prevent ticks and other bugs from biting you.
- Be safe while swimming. Use life jackets if you need to and be sure to notice the signs of drowning. Always keep more than one pair of eyes on little kids near the water.
Party safely
A cold beer and a comfortable joint of marijuana are summer staples. Now that many states have began to legalize recreational marijuana use, some locations have even developed marijuana delivery companies. If you’re planning on partying this summer, be sure to do so safely.
This includes peer pressure. Everyone has different tolerances when it comes to alcohol and marijuana. As such, you shouldn’t encourage your friends to have to keep up with you and you shouldn’t feel like you have to keep up with your friends. Go it at your own pace to stay safe and healthy. And of course: never drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
You should ensure that all your party guests are over the age of 21 if you plan on indulging in these activities. As the party host, be sure to offer ample beverages and snacks to prevent people from getting alcohol poisoning and don’t hesitate to seek medical attention when it’s needed. If you want to truly party in line with summer vacation safety tips, make sure that at least one person is sober in the event of an emergency.
Partying is a time to let loose and have fun. Unfortunately, some people can take it too far. Before you invite over your friends for a summer shindig, be sure that you’re following these pieces of safety advice.
Keep up on your health
Summer is known for its wealth of activities, but you should be taking time for yourself, too. Rely on your regular routine to give you a sense of stability. Try meditating in the morning to ground yourself, eat a healthy breakfast, and remember to brush your teeth, whether you’re on the road or not (your dentists will thank you). Even though you might feel like each day has to be filled with fun and sunshine, there’s no shame in curling up on the couch in the A/C with a good book. Protecting and fostering your mental health is just as important as protecting your physical health.
Summer vacation safety tips encapsulate many different aspects of the season. Whether you’re boating, road tripping, or trying to make the most of a party with friends, following these tips can help lead you in the right direction. Be sure to have a sober friend on speed dial, watch out for those not following COVID-19 social distancing regulations, and protect your skin. This has been a crazy year and we’re due for some safe fun during our summer vacations.
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