Deepavali, Christmas and before you know it, New Year’s here! The festive seasons are rolling in and time is ticking. Families are out and about cashing out on clothes, food and presents. But you’re leaving out the most paramount box to tick. Drum roll….health!
Do you have plasters for your children’s bleeding knees and a Covid-19 test kit ready in the car? Whether you’re travelling on the road or on a flight, let’s not forget a health checkup on each other. Here are five crucial things to not forget before taking off with your family hazard free.
MEDICATIONS
- Make sure any family members taking medications bring enough to last for the entire trip. Packing pills and tablets in organisers can help the elderly track their daily medication intake. Carrying a medical kit with a thermometer, band-aids and baby paracetamol will benefit all and get you the cool nickname of family doctor!
- Make sure to bring extra insect repellent and itch-soothing creams if you’ll be encountering places with tropical insects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for more personalised medical suggestions, especially if there are children or pregnant mothers in the entourage.
VACCINATIONS
Vaccinations and immunisations requirements vary from country to country. Ensure that your family are up to date with their routine vaccinations as recommended by health authorities.
In Malaysia, the Ministry of Health has issued a hexavalent combination vaccine under the National Immunisation Programme. The vaccine protects against six diseases which include diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae Type B. Four of its doses will be given to children at ages two months, three months, five months, and 18 months, while the booster dose at age 18 months.
Director General of Health Malaysia, Dr. Noor Hisham urges parents to monitor their child’s growth and development by visiting public health facilities when their child turns one month and six months old.
Travellers to Malaysia are advised to keep up with these routine vaccinations:
- Malaria.
- Measles.
- Mumps.
- Rubella.
- Tetanus.
- Polio.
- Pertussis (whooping cough).
- Varicella (chicken pox).
The main aim of vaccinations is to prevent sickness and transmissibility of the virus. It’s also our individual responsibility to inspect our health condition and consult doctors before travelling to new lands. Make an appointment with your doctor at least eight weeks before your trip.
TRANSPORTATION
- Avoid travelling during peak hours and taking congested routes. If you’re stuck in traffic, take the opportunity to have family discussions on various topics. Here are some ideas to get the ball rolling:
- Favourite subject in school.
- What is everyone looking forward to on the trip.
- Mental well-being checks.
- Favourite tv shows or characters.
- Avoid visiting crowded and enclosed spaces. Check the Covid-19 restrictions regarding social or mass gatherings beforehand. Bring along extra food, water, hand sanitisers and face masks to protect yourself and your children.
ACCOMMODATION
Look out for these safety measures if you’re planning to spend the night in hotels and inns:
- Are the staff wearing masks at work and practising social distancing?
- Is there adequate ventilation?
- Are there properly updated policies for room cleaning and disinfection?
Parents of younger babies and toddlers, here’s a checklist for you too. Bring your own items and you can ensure their cleanliness level:
- Baby furniture items, such as pram, stroller, cot and highchair.
- Supply of disposable nappies, wipes and clothes for cases of travellers’ diarrhoea.
- Sufficient toys for each child in case they get bored.
- Favourite foods if they’re fussy eaters or don’t prefer new varieties of food.
HEALTH CENTRES
Do your research about pharmacies, clinics and hospitals nearby your hotel and places you plan to visit. Are there ample healthcare facilities such as allergy shots and injections, sanitisers, and if necessary, hospital beds for admission?
Importantly, bring along essential documents such as proof of identification, insurance details and a history of allergy and medical conditions. Families with disabilities must look into amenities that can aid in their movement and comfort. This way everyone gets to have a good time!
EXTRA REMINDERS
- Leave early. A rescheduled flight or peak-hour traffic can result in agitated children and stressed-out parents.
- Don’t overpack. At the end of a long day, you’re probably going to carry one child each. So travel light by buying everyday items like snacks and drinks on the way to your destination.
- Grab the freebies. Check out the different discounted prices for children, the disabled and the elderly for transportation, tours, entrance fees and restaurants.
- Keep track of your children. Dress them in bright colours and make sure they memorise their parents’ names and contact numbers. You never know where danger is lurking.
- Learn the lingo. Familiarise yourself with a few common words and sentences in the local language if you’re travelling aboard. Phrases like asking for the toilet or directions could ease navigation and get you new buddies!
- Film your memories. Children these days are faster with their gadgets than their parents. Try handing your child an old phone with a camera and you might just be amazed to see the world through their eyes. Ready, set, and click away to hilarious bloopers and candids!
Deciding on a time and place to vacation away from the hustle and bustle of life is a piece of cake. But the real headache comes with filling up our checklists, it seems to be everything but the kitchen sink. Nevertheless, it’s always better to prepare for the worst-case scenario. Make your family getaway a memorable one with these handy tips. Happy holiday!
