Author: Jean Andrews
Source: ezinearticles.com

One of the biggest concerns when travelling to foreign countries is how to avoid catching bugs or a nasty case of the ‘tourist trots’. It can be hard to know what is safe to eat and what should be avoided. No matter how careful you are, however, it is very easy to unwittingly expose yourself to bacteria, germs and viruses. That is one reason why taking out travel insurance is very important. Some basic awareness, plus following a few simple food hygiene tips, can help avoid a nasty case of Delhi Belly, Montezuma’s Revenge, or whatever the affliction may be called in that part of the world:

Make sure food is well cooked and very hot (to kill any bacteria present) Avoid food that may have been left sitting out at unsafe temperatures (i.e. buffets)

Be wary of buying food and drinks from street vendors

Avoid consuming sauces/condiments that have been left on tables Don’t eat garnishes (they may have graced many plates!)

Avoid drinking tap water, milk, and stay clear of ice cubes in drinks

Avoid salads/lettuce (washed in water) Stick to sealed, bottled water or boil or purify it yourself Be wary of some airline food, especially if taken aboard in a foreign country

When it comes to fruits and vegetables – if you can’t peel it – don’t eat it!

Be careful when consuming locally-produced drinks such as rice wine or ‘arak’ (several deaths occurred in Bali following ingestion of methanol-laced rice wine).

If you get sick with diarrhoea and/or vomiting it is important to stay hydrated. Sip purified water, tea or soft drinks (preferably drinks without a lot of sugar or additives). Only resort to using anti-diarrhoeal medicine when you are absolutely certain you need it, as the downside is developing constipation. Avoid drinking alcohol and eat dry food like crackers and toast until the worst is over.

In most cases, a bout of diarrhoea from contaminated food will knock you off your feet for a few days and the duration of the illness can vary. If symptoms persist or are unusually severe always seek medical help to rule out anything more serious. If outpatient tests are carried out, ask for copies to take with you and obtain receipts so that you can claim on your travel insurance. If hospitalization is required you will normally need to obtain authorization for treatment by calling the hotline provided in your travel insurance policy.

If you have been bitten by insects, especially mosquitoes, and develop suspicious symptoms like fever, chills or flu, always seek medical attention. Serious diseases like malaria take several days to incubate so symptoms may not appear until after you have returned home. If this happens arrange an appointment with your doctor and explain that you have been travelling.

A few more reminders:

Always clean and treat cuts to avoid infection and Tetanus

Carry a first-aid kit and hand-sanitizer with you

Use mosquito-repellent products Wear light-coloured clothing to easily spot mosquitoes, ticks and bugs

Take steps to guard against tick bites and Lyme Disease

Be wary of swimming in fresh-water pools in tropical areas (however tempting it looks). It is possible to pick up parasitic infections like schistosomiasis from infected water

Get all recommended vaccinations, including a Tetanus booster if needed

Carry a list of contact numbers for the embassies in the areas you are visiting in case you need help finding an English-speaking doctor or other assistance

Other common ailments which can affect travellers include: Altitude sickness, heat stroke, heat exhaustion and serious sunburn. The latest concern to worry about is exposure to Swine Flu; if you think you may have been exposed and develop symptoms seek medical help. A good travel insurance policy should provide for emergency medical repatriation to get you back home once you are fit enough. However, always read the terms and conditions of your particular policy so that you understand the cover provided.

A wide variety of nasty bacteria and diseases may just be waiting for an unwary victim or host like you to come along, so do your research and be prepared before leaving home. It is your trip, your money, your life – so use your brain – and don’t make yourself an easy target for anything to bug you!

Jean Andrews is a freelance writer living in the UK. She regularly contributes articles for Travel Insurance Agencies Ltd who offer great deals on UK Travel Insurance and Travel Insurance for residents of Eire.

Author: Darlene Berkel
Source: articledashboard.com

The journey to the great unknown can be a fascinating excursion of the mind or in an automobile. However, in today’s world, if you plan to take a road trip across the United States, anywhere in between, or anywhere in a foreign country, it is wise to access a few resources on road trip tips to insure that the journey you take is a safe one.

Safety is Smart

Being prepared for the unknown and anticipating problems does not make anyone a pessimist. In fact, when it comes to road trip tips, it actually makes someone pro-active to anticipate what might go wrong. It shows that individual is actively taking an interest in his or her own future rather than simply leaving their vacation plans to luck. When beginning a road trip, it is wise to honestly and accurately evaluate the vehicle you will be driving. Check the quality of tires, the air pressure in the tires, the oil level, the condition of the spare tire and the level of the washer fluid. By accurately evaluating the condition of the vehicle, it insures that all preparations are done and thereby prevents any avoidable mishaps along the way.

Plan Your Journey

A valuable travel safety tip is the preparation of a travel log or outline of any road trip or long distance travel. By knowing the destination and the travel path for the journey, it is easy to notify a friend or family member of the intended route of travel. By taking the time to share the details of the journey, the opportunity for mishap is considerably diminished.

With an arranged departure and an expected arrival time, it is easy for someone else to check on the safety of the traveler. In the event that the vehicle was to break down or some other mishap should occur, there is a watchful eye to alert the authorities. Having a contact person for the beginning and end of the journey is just one travel safety tip that could save a life in the event of an emergency.

The Emergency Kit

A road trip tip would be remiss to omit the necessary items of emergency flares, emergency blankets, whistle, water, food, scissors, rag and small hammer. While some of these items are obvious, it is the odd items on the list that might prove most useful in an emergency. It is obvious that the road flares would be used to warn others of an accident or other mishap on the side of the road and to be cautious.

There are any number of ways the emergency blanket could be used; to prevent someone from going into shock, to keep someone warm, to burn if there is a need for fire, to tie a split with if needed, the list is endless. A road trip tip that is often ignored is the carrying of a whistle. A whistle is necessary if the vehicle were ever to get stuck and the driver trapped inside. A whistle can be heard a lot farther away than someone’s voice and it takes less energy to blow a whistle than to yell for help.

The food and water are clearly a survival issue. The scissors, rag and small hammer are all items that may be necessary to get out of the vehicle should someone become trapped. The scissors can cut through a seatbelt and the hammer and rag can be used to break a window. As with all road trip tips, it is hopeful that these items will be stored in the vehicle and never needed. Yet, it would be terrible to need them and not have them.

Travel Only With Friends

Unfortunately, the days of hitchhiking and picking up friendly faces along the highway are long gone. It is a dangerous risk to take a ride with a stranger. When thinking travel safety tips, it is imperative to remember that a Ted Bundy was considered an attractive man, which made it very easy for him to attack his many female victims. While it is thoughtful to help others, allowing a stranger into your vehicle or climbing into a vehicle driven by a stranger is not the best way to travel.

Author: Sam Serio
Source: ezinearticles.com

Most people that have seen a travel accident insurance FAQ before will have ignored it. Those things that happen to others when they are on holiday will never happen to me… but they do. Lost luggage, stolen money and documents, accidents requiring medical attention – they all happen regardless of where we are at the time. It is essential, in this era where absolutely anything could go wrong, that an individual wanting to travel looks into the possibility of getting some form of travel insurance.

Travel insurance has traditionally been perceived as a waste of time and money, but that is most definitely not the case. The benefits of travel accident insurance policies are immense if you need to call on them. However, if you are lucky enough not to have to call on them then you always have that peace of mind that it is there in the background.

Like any form of insurance though, travel insurance can be confusing if you are looking for the right policy for you but are struggling to work out the benefits of each individual policy, so here is a comprehensive travel accident insurance FAQ to help answer any question that you may have!

FAQ 1 – What sort of travel accident insurance will I need?

There are two types of that are commonly used – single trip and annual. The latter can save you money if you are planning to visit several countries or take several trips in one year, whereas the single trip travel accident insurance policy just covers the one trip. They both have the same conditions and thus provide similar cover, so all is really dependent on how often you travel.

FAQ 2 – How much should I expect to pay?

The cost of largely depends on the provider, the amount covered, the duration of your trip and how old you are. A child would be cheaper to cover than an adult, and a weekend trip would be cheaper to cover than a week long vacation. There are family travel accident insurance policies that cover all of the individuals travelling and are cheaper than covering each individual separately. If you do travel more than once a year though, the annual travel insurance policies can save you a lot of money.

FAQ 3 – Should I inform the company of my state of health?

The answer to this is a resounding yes! If you fail to let insurance companies know about pre-existing conditions then the policy will be void if you ever needed to claim on it. Disclosing chronic and ongoing illnesses will increase your premiums but they will then pay out if you need to call on them so it is never a good idea to keep quiet about your health!

FAQ 4 – Are extreme sports covered?

Under normal travel accident insurance policies extreme sports are not covered as standard because they may endanger your health far more than simply going on a beach or city trip. However, most insurers will happily add extreme or winter sports coverage to your policy for an extra fee. The extreme sports add-on is highly recommended if you are planning to do something out of the ordinary!

Regardless of the travel accident insurance policy you eventually choose, you should always read the terms and conditions to make sure that you are fully aware of what you are covered for and what you are not, as well as the exceptions and exclusions. It is essential to have a travel accident insurance policy these days, and for that little peace of mind, it is well worth it!

Sam Serio is a passionate advocate for Chincoteague Island Tourism. Chincoteague Island, Va. is the home of the Chincoteague ponies and the site of the world famous Pony Swim. To learn more about this amazing family oriented, eco-friendly vacation destination please visit http://www.chincoteagueislandvacations.com and http://www.chincoteagueoutlook.com Fascinating videos, informative articles, interviews and blogs reveal Chincoteague Island as a premier choice for your family vacation.