It's close to the holidays! That means you'd probably be busy trying to clear your leave, sourcing from several websites to book a sweet deal for that long-awaited vacation. Whether it is the sandy beaches in Bali, or the experiencing the strong winds in Melbourne, it all starts from a good packing list!

In this article, we'll be covering the ultimate traveling safety packing list that you can count on for every single vacation.

 

1. Bring Proper Medication

Ensure that you pack along the necessary medication that you take on a daily basis, as well as the ones for the common illness that you might catch while traveling.

Unsure of what medications you will need? Or which are allowed through the airport? Here's a list that you can bet on!

 

a) Anti-diarrhea medication

Going overseas especially to countries where the food hygiene is not as good as what your body is used to, it is advised for you not to just be particular about what you eat. Buying clean, filtered bottled water is necessary in this case too.

But as much as we try to avoid upsetting our stomachs, we're still vulnerable to contaminants. Thus, anti-diarrhea medications should be in your travel med-kit.

They can be:

• Anti-biotics prescribed by your doctor (for severe cases of diarrhea)
• Over-the-counter (bismuth subsalicylate, loperamide, etc.)

 

b) Allergy medication

Allergies can happen anytime and anywhere; it's hard to predict when it could happen especially in a foreign place. Allergens can enter your body via several routes of entry: ingested, skin, and through your nose and eyes. Bring your allergy medications prescribed by your doctor to avoid a vacation-gone-bad situation.

Allergy medication includes:

• Epinephrine auto-injector (e.g. EpiPen)
• Anti-histamines
• Decongestants with anti-histamines

Note: Doctors also recommend travelers with allergies to wear an allergy medical alert jewelry

 

c) Motion sickness medication

Motion sickness doesn't just happen to people who get sick after a roller-coaster ride...

Anyone is susceptible to this, particularly women on hormone therapy, menstruating, or pregnant. Also, kids from 2 to 12 years of age, and those on certain medications (anti-depressants, antibiotics, etc.) are at risk of motion sickness.

Combat motion sickness with these in your travel health kit:

• Anti-histamines (prescribed by the doctor or over-the-counter)
• Cyclizine (Marezine)
• Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)

 

4. Fever/headache medications

Having a fever is one of the worst things to experience, much worse during a vacation. Fever halts all the amazing and thrilling plans because you really just want to lie in bed. It is crucial that you observe and record your temperature while you take the fever meds. Thus, a thermometer should be packed in as well.

If a thermometer is too bulky for you, bringing a Fevermates thermometer patch will make packing much easier! Plus, it's a better experience without having any cold tip touching the skin, especially when the fever is making everything feel so awful already.

P.S. Kids love them too!

Fever/headache medications available:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB)
• NSAIDs (aspirin)

 

2. Medical Alert Jewelry

Some of you might have heard of this; your doctor might've even recommended this to you. But for the benefit of those who don't, this is how it looks like...

[caption id="attachment_137" align="alignnone" width="241"] Mediband's Anaphylaxis Allergy Medical Bracelet Silicone where you can write important instructions too.[/caption]

Mediband other medical alert jewelry for many other medical conditions such as diabetes.

 

3. Basic First-Aid

First-aid kits usually contain the necessities already but, there's more than just one type of first-aid kit. All these kits contain varying items pertaining to the purpose it's intended for. A first-aid kit for camping might differ from a first-aid kit for a workplace.

Therefore, when it comes to traveling first-aid kits, the items you should include will be different as well -- to a certain extent.

A basic travel first-aid kit should include:

• Plasters
• Adhesive Strips
• Antiseptic Cream Sachet
• Bandage
• Burnaid Sachet
• Cotton Buds
• Disposable Latex Gloves
• First Aid Guide
• Triangular Bandage
• Wound Dressing

 

These should be found in many first-aid kits, and are the ones that would be appropriate for traveling. If you are unsure of whether you've got these important supplies, you can either browse our first-aid kits selection or first-aid supplies!

Some first-aid kits include metal, sharp objects such as medical scissors and tweezers. In this case, please ensure that these items are in the checked baggage to avoid being confiscated and evitable time wasted with the authorities.

 

4. The Extra But Necessary

This point will sound like a mother's nag but, moms are always right. When you're planning to travel, it will be helpful if you know what type of environment you're going to be staying for that period of time.

For example, going to stay around the rice fields at Bali would definitely alert your common sense to bring a mosquito/insect repellent. You can expect to be around insects and want to prevent any itchy and painful bites.

Thus, bring an insect repellent.

 

If you're going to a sunny country, even if it's at the end of the year, sunscreen should be in your packing list. Sunscreen with at least SPF15 (blocks up to 94% of UVB rays) is recommended.

Did you know that the harmful and invisible UV rays are the ones that can penetrate deepest into your skin?

Thus, bring a sunscreen.

 

When traveling, we're in a state of exploration and we touch things around us all the time. And sometimes, because we get into the excitement of things, we forget to wash our hands prior to eating. Or maybe, clean water just isn't conveniently located.

Eating with dirty hands causes us to be susceptible to bacteria that can cause food poisoning, fever, and other illnesses.

Having a handy hand sanitizer or anti-bacterial hand wipes will be very helpful. Prevention is always better than cure!

Thus, bring a hand sanitizer or anti-bacterial hand wipes.

 

Conclusion

Traveling alone, with friends, your lover, or family can and should be a memorable experience from start till end. That is doable as long as you plan ahead, starting with your packing list. Safe travels and remember to pack these in before taking off!