How to Stay Safe on Vacation

Summer is the peak time for vacation travel in the U.S., the time of year when millions of us take to the skies, rails or our own vehicles to get away from it all. If you are planning on taking a trip, the American Red Cross offers steps you can take to help you stay safe during your travels.

BEFORE YOU GO Find out what natural disasters may occur at your destination and how officials notify everyone about an emergency.

• In the notifications setting on your cell phone, make sure “emergency alerts” are turned on. Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Find all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.
• Let family and friends know your itinerary and how to reach you. Include where you will be visiting, staying, and be sure to let them know if your plans change.
• Make copies of your travel documents and keep electronic copies as backups.
• Make sure the people in your group know everyone’s cell phone number and other emergency contacts. Select an out-of-area person to contact in case your group is separated during an emergency and local phone lines are overloaded.
• Learn to text. When phone lines are busy, text messages can often work better than voice calls.
• If your plans include international travel, register with the U.S. State Department through the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

WHERE ARE YOU STAYING? If you are renting a condo, home, etc., work with a reliable company and ask about the presence of common protections such as fire sprinklers, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

Once you arrive, check that there are working smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home. There should be working carbon monoxide detectors on every level as well. Everyone should know two ways out of every room if there is an emergency. Make sure you can open all doors and windows that lead outside. Know where fire extinguishers are located and how to use them.

If you are checking into a hotel or motel, stay in places that have hard-wired smoke alarms and an automatic fire sprinkler system in each guest room.

After checking in, read the evacuation plan carefully. Find the two closest exits from your room. Count the number of doors between your room and the exits. This will help if you need to get out in the dark. Know how to activate the building’s fire alarm.