Traveling is a great way to relax and get a much-needed break from everyday life. However, there are some things you need to keep in mind that will allow you to explore safely. Today I am going to give you 7 Safe Travel Tips to keep in mind so you can accomplish that when you are traveling in the upcoming months.

#1 Take a First Aid Kit

Whether you are traveling by airplane, train, or your own vehicle, be sure to pack a first aid kit to take along. The contents of your first aid kit will depend on how you are traveling from one place to another. Pack essentials such as bandages, gauze, thermometer, tweezers, antiseptic wound cleanser, and hand sanitizer. If you are traveling by car I would also make sure to have water, a blanket, snack in case you are broke down on the side of the road. You will never go wrong being over-prepared in this area. I would love for you to drop your suggestions of what to have in the first aid kit below.

#2 Scan Your Documents

Unfortunate incidents can happen when on vacation. It is no fun to be far away from home and have your wallet stolen. Before you leave, scan all your documents, both major and minor. This will enable you to figure out quickly what is missing should yours be misplaced or fall into the wrong hands.

#3 Take Car in for Check-Up before Driving

If you will be using your car for long-distance driving, take it to the mechanic for a check-up before your departure date. It is no fun to be just starting out on your trip and have something go wrong. Many car troubles can be avoided with regular check-ups. I would not advise doing this the day before. Make sure you give it a few days to a couple weeks before you leave that way if there is a problem you have time to deal with it.

#4 Find Out Hospital Locations Beforehand

Do a little research on your vacation destination before you leave. A quick internet search can give you a map of where the closest hospital and emergency rooms would be in case of an emergency. When you arrive, ask locals to confirm your findings. Many a traveler has had a health crisis in the middle of the night, and has been forced to drive around looking for care that is difficult to find.

#5 Get Recommendations on Hotels and Restaurants

Check with your friends where they have stayed and eaten when they traveled to or visited the destination you are headed for. Word of mouth is the best way to find out if hotels and eating establishments are clean and feel safe. If necessary, consult online travel sites for opinions. I use Trip Advisor it is full of helpful reviews and they are from real people like me.

#6 Stay Hydrated and Eat Well

When you are traveling, you will come across many germs, viruses, and other unsavory things. You may be putting your body to the test through new physical activities, or being outdoors in the sun all day long. Eat well to nourish your body, and be absolutely sure to drink plenty of clean water to keep you hydrated. You don’t want to end up hospitalized for heat stroke or dehydration when you could have avoided it.

#7 Keep Money in More Than One Place

To keep your finances safe, split up your money among several spots. Perhaps you will want to take a little cash along on daily trips, and leave some in the safe at the hotel. Always keep your money and other valuables in more than one place so that if some is stolen or lost, you have something to fall back on while you make calls and arrange for replacement of the rest.

Summer travel can create some of the best memories of your year. Using these 7 safe travel tips, you will be able to stay safe, and create wonderful moments that will last you a lifetime.

Did these tips give you any other safe travel ideas? Share them in the comments below. I would love to add them to my list.

The rest of this week I will be sharing different travel tips with you to help you get prepared for a great Summer vacation this year. I will update the list below to give you the link to each one in the series:

6 Summer Vacation Hotspots in the U.S.

Budget Travel 5 Ways to Save Money on Summer Vacation

7 Safe Travel Tips for Summer Vacation

Pet Travel Tips for a Safe & Stress-Free Trip

Traveling With Children How to Keep the Kids Busy on a Trip

This was a recording of a live video I did on my personal Facebook page in case you would rather listen to my story rather than read it.