Find out how to keep your family healthy while traveling with tips from an eco-dad and the author of Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home.
By Christopher Gavigan
Family trips can be a blast, but nothing ruins a vacation faster than a sick child. Whether you're visiting Mayan ruins or checking out Times Square, you've got to plan ahead—with some creativity!
1. Keep Your Hands Clean
Skip the antibacterial wipes! Instead, opt for good old-fashioned
hand washing, a process that should last as long as it takes to
sing the alphabet song. The overuse of antibacterial products may
be weakening our immune systems and giving rise to supergerms and
bacteria that are resistant to control. Conventional antibacterial
wipes, gels, and soaps contain industrial chemicals and harmful pesticides, and they kill both good and
bad bacteria. For added sanitation when traveling, try tea-tree
oil, an excellent natural antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal
that's widely available in many forms, including wipes and
sprays.
Related: The Top Kid-Friendly Airports
2. Avoid Airplane Germs
Airports and airplane cabins are bacteria minefields. Keep natural, all-surface bamboo wipes from Method
with you during the flight, and wipe down tray tables, service
buttons, TV and radio accessories, and seatbelts before using them.
If your airline pillow arrives unwrapped (and thus probably
unwashed), drape a scarf or sweater around it to protect your face.
For children, substitute their favorite snuggly from home for the
airline blanket—it will provide not only familiarity but also
protection against the previous user's germs. Also be sure to
wash up after touching railings and elevator buttons and using
public lavatories.
3. Stay Hydrated
Children are particularly susceptible to dehydration without their
routine and their regular diet. And the on-the-go beat of travel
sometimes disrupts our daily water intake habits. So stock up on
travel packs of pure electrolytes, like Clif Shot Electrolyte Drink, that can be dumped into
bottles or canteens, and familiarize yourself with the CDC's
guidelines for recognizing signs of dehydration. And pick up a
sustainable stainless-steel Klean Kanteen, then have
your friendly terminal baristas fill it up with water after
you've gone through security.
4. Avoid Allergic Reactions
Did you ever wonder why airlines replaced those snack-size bags of
nuts with pretzels? It's because today, nearly 12 million
Americans suffer from allergic reactions to foods like peanuts,
wheat, and soy. If you have a child with an allergy, you know that
planning ahead is required to prevent a reaction. Before a trip
abroad, print out an allergy card in the relevant language to bring
with you. In addition, pack plenty of dried or prepackaged healthy
snacks.
Get 4 more tips on healthy traveling...
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