Don’t forget to pack these holiday essentials

For those who are planning to travel during the festive season, here is a handy list of essential items to pack to ensure you are prepared for your holiday.

“After a busy year, many of us will be heading off for our summer holidays and some well-deserved rest and recuperation,” said Mark Arnold, principal officer of Resolution Health Medical Scheme.

“In order to ensure that this time is as stress-free as possible, we recommend you make sure you have packed the following items in order to be well prepared for your travels and ensure maximum relaxation and enjoyment.”

• First aid kit

“Ensuring you have a well-stocked first aid kit will go a long way to ensuring you have a happy, healthy holiday. If you have an existing first aid kit, go through it to check whether any of the medicines and ointments have expired and restock as necessary,” Arnold advised.

Over-the-counter medicines including paracetamol, burns ointment, antihistamines, treatments for insect stings, antacid and rehydration remedies may prove very convenient if illness strikes while you are away from home. Sterile latex gloves, dressings, plasters, and disinfectant may save the day if an emergency situation should arise.

“It is also a good idea to draw up a list of each family member’s medical information, including any allergies, medication and existing health conditions. Emergency contact numbers and medical scheme membership numbers should also be included as a precaution. Keep a copy of this information handy, either in the glove compartment of your car or in the first aid kit – or both.”

• Sufficient quantities of prescribed medication

“When on holiday, our daily routines may be different to working life but this does not mean that we no longer need to take daily prescribed medication. Ensure that you fill prescriptions before you travel and under no circumstances should you take a ‘holiday’ from prescribed medicines.

“People taking chronic medications, in particular, must stick to their medicine schedule as this is the best way to manage their long-term health and reduce the chances of an unpleasant health event marring their well-deserved holiday,” Arnold noted.

• Emergency services stickers on your vehicle

“It is always best to be prepared for worst-case scenarios, and this includes ensuring that your vehicle is equipped with a spare tyre, warning triangle and a few basic tools.

“One simple precaution that should not be overlooked is emergency medical services stickers on your vehicle. If you were to be involved in a motor vehicle accident, people on the scene could identify the correct providers to assist you, ensuring the quickest, best quality care available,” Arnold advised.

• Your medical scheme membership card

“We do not like to contemplate the possibility that it may prove necessary, but it is always better to be prepared in case of illness or accident while travelling. It is therefore essential that you keep your medical scheme membership card, which is your passport to accessing your healthcare cover benefits, with you at all times – whether you are travelling or not.”

Arnold says it might be a good idea to programme the call centre number into your cellphone and have it written out on a piece of paper so that you will be able to get in touch with your medical scheme if you have a question about your benefits or need authorisation for treatment.

“Whether you are heading to the beach, or the berg, travelling to visit family or simply relaxing at home this festive season, ensure that you are prepared with these items.”

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.

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