We all need to have an adventure this summer, and one of the safest ways to do that is to take a road trip! When planning your road trip with the family, adding certain items to your checklist is essential to keep you all healthy.
All travel requires some thoughtfulness and pre-planning. Below are my suggestions on ways to stay safe in unfamiliar places.
1. Pack hand sanitizer. This is going to be a part of all travel from now on, so get used to it and pack lots of it. Use it in every situation where you don’t have access to soap and water to wash your hands.
2. Don’t forget the wipes. Always have sanitary wipes on hand. You might want to wipe down highly touched surfaces such as light switches, faucets, gas nozzles, doorknobs or TV remotes. We need to take all precautions.
3. Prepare for public spaces. Keep in mind that on road trips there will be stops in public spaces to use restrooms, pick up food or buy gas. Be aware of everything that you touch there.
4. Prepare for mask care. We all know wearing masks helps stop the spread of the coronavirus, and that we should wear them in public spaces or anywhere we aren’t able to safely social distance. When you wear your mask out, you should also be ready to wash it the same day.
5. Download all apps in advance. Hotels and car rental companies are going contactless as much as possible. Make sure you download all needed apps before your trip so that you can check in or rent without having to come into contact with anyone.
6. Go cashless. The less contact we have, the better. So, for other types of purchase, put your credit card on Apple Pay or Google Pay on your phone so that you don’t have to touch anything during the transaction.
7. Think about where you’ll stay. Most people are leaning toward vacation rentals and RV’s versus hotels. You might feel more comfortable bringing your own sheets and towels. Also, have conversations with the owners in advance, asking what they have done to ensure sanitation and safety. Make sure they have taken the extra steps.
8. Watch for hot spots – When on the road, keep in mind which cities have increased virus outbreaks. It is smart to steer clear of these locations and stick to the road less traveled.
Lindsay Myers is an Access TV personality, budget travel guru and lifestyle expert.
