As the Easter Season and Holidays approach, and the lots of fun and merry making that go along with the season, many Easter breakers will be looking forward to sunny destinations and a/or long week(s) of relaxation. Some may travel to tropical hot spots, like Cancum Mexico or South East Asia, while others may opt for bustling cities, like New York or Hong Kong and many will be going to their towns and villages unaware of the dangers on route and at the destination.
General advice to travellers:-Good preparation for family trips leads to less stress is better for your health, and it is also a sign of an organised and alert mind.
Your to do list is essential. Don’t leave the Baby at Home or in the Airport. It has happened and will still happen so don’t be the one. Always do a head count for groups on the move at every stop. Fatigue and tiredness can play tricks with our minds. Make sure on the list you have your essential travel documents like Passports, Air tickets and Visa’s, Yellow Fever cards, Medicines etc and the expiry dates of passports, Visas and Medicines, Mobile phones and contact addresses. I have personally seen people arrive at airports whose passports and visa’s have expired. It is a frustrating horror, probably the end of the vacation. Also make sure documents do not expire during your trip. Carry just the bare essentials for the trip. Paper wipes or Antiseptic hand sanitisers, torchlight, family games to keep the children engaged. First Aid Kits It is wise to carry along a properly stocked first aid kit for small emergencies.
Travelling by Air: Travel by air is normally contraindicated in the following cases: infants less than 48 hours old (longer after premature births) and women after the 36th week of pregnancy (32nd week for multiple pregnancy).Those suffering from: Any potential traveller with an underlying medical condition who is unsure of their fitness to flyegangina or chest pain at rest, any active communicable disease and severe chronic respiratory disease/breathlessness at rest should seek advice from their GP in the first instance. Airlines’ regulations may vary so if in doubt advice should also be sought from the medical department of the airline concerned. Many travellers will be departing from the Airport. The start of your fun and ordeal. Make sure you arrive on time and all documents are complete. The airport is usually a congested place and spread of disease is more likely. From the check in through security and all the contamination levels can be high. Dirty shoes on security screening conveyor belts. In the business class lounges and all other lounges, food to be eaten and water to be drunk should be inspected, smell, observe and decline if suspect and not fresh.
In the plane: Accidents and injuries do occur in the cabin during flight so buckle up at all times and obey all flight instructions. Do not let your young kids play in the toilet unsupervised. Head rests are contaminated with yeast, mold and bacteria and can cause skin problems. Wear a scarf if possible. Viruses and bacteria circulating in the cabin increase your chances catching cold and other respiratory infections. If someone is sneezing or coughing near you, try to hold your breath and dip your head down or use a handkerchief which may help reduce contaminants into you lungs. You can wipe down your tray table with sanitary wipes and please be careful of seat pockets some may have been contaminated with all sorts of items including soiled baby diapers. Don’t put anything like your cell phone and close use items into those pouches. Use alcohol hand sanitizers as frequently as possible. Walk around as frequently as possible to help the circulation and drink a lot of water.
Road Travel-I call Wilderness Travel in Nigeria: The benefits of aerobic exercise in indoor and outdoor environments cannot be overstated. Insulin sensitivity is improved, protective HDL-cholesterol levels are increased, the bone mineral density increases, and there may be a reduction in anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Please make sure your car is Fit for Travel-well gauged tyres etc. The journeys by road in Nigeria can be an enjoyable sprint or a nightmarish marathon. When you leave your house by road to your Village, Town or City you never can tell when you will arrive. Luckily with the advent of Google Maps which has become more reliable, dependable and accurate you can have a good idea of your arrival time. Journeys above 2 hrs should come with a break. Treat as if you are travelling by air. Stop in a safe place to walk around, if you are stuck in traffic and cannot get out of your car you can do in seat exercises as on the planes (Tiny stretch and muscle exercises). Carry disposable plastic bottles to urinate in. For women it is a bit tricky but it can be done with specially designed bottles and funnels. When outside the vehicle select well the area you use. Women can use funnels or just stand astride on the side road to urinate- Squatting down to urinate depending on the environment could be dangerous. Pack food and plenty of water( I remember the Well water I used to drink from when I visited my Grandmother in Amukpe Village near Sapele- It did not kill me) but be careful of contaminated water.
By Boat- This is probably the most unsafe and treacherous mode of transportation depending on your route. Life jackets must be worn at all times. Inspect your boat before departure, if not sure wait for the next best available boat. The creeks and rivers are not well charted and attacks by armed groups may be likely. Carry water, snacks and a torchlight amongst others.
Motor bikes, bicycles etc are other travel modes. Take all necessary precautions on the trip. Wear protective wear. Don’t get fatigued and fall asleep while driving.
At the journeys end remember you might arrive famished and thirsty and just want to plunge into food and drinks.(You can snack and drink a bit before arrival), but remember to great your folks politely and exchange gifts and pleasantries. Study the food and water given you and if it has gone stale/off because of delays in your trip, kindly decline(politely decline and say you are tired and go and rest)you can sneak out at night to the kitchen to prepare your own food(Don’t say I told you so.). Just be practical.
Remember: Always have a functional fully roaming and topped up mobile phone that can roam at the destination country. Remember the worldwide emergency number even if your phone has no credit is 112. It is free of charge and it works. Have a pleasant and safe trip and a pleasant family Easter Holiday. Don’t spoil a great holiday. Boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it.
Dr Ade Alakija
Q-life Family Clinic
