According to weather forecasters, much of the nation will be roasting again in the next few days. The same time that late summer travelers will be getting in that last family trip before school starts. Since Mother Nature doesn’t seem to want to cooperate with milder temperatures, it’s up to you to be vigilant about protecting your family while on vacation.
We covered a few tips in my previous blog and I have added a couple more here. Even though they appear common sense, they bear repeating to avoid having to experience an unplanned meltdown on your family vacation.
Dress Appropriately. I provided an example of this in my previous blog about our summer trip to pick fresh strawberries. Generally it’s better to wear clothes made of materials that will allow your skin to breathe. Stay away from synthetic fibers, which tend to trap heat between your clothing and skin. Cottons and linens are good choices as they allow air to circulate better than heavier fabrics. Also, stick with light colors instead of dark, which tend to absorb heat.
When it comes to shoes, comfort is everything. Comfort over style… it’s a tip that will serve you well. As much as you may want to pair your cute new sandals with your equally adorable new summer outfit—-resist doing so, especially if you’re spending the day at Disney World. It’s also a good idea to bring two pairs of shoes and rotate them mid-day (if it’s possible). If one pair becomes saturated with perspiration and you continue to walk in them you may end up with a foot full of blisters. One final note about sandals: if you are traveling to a place with a lot of insects you may want to leave your sandals at home, unless you intend to spray your feet with bug repellent.
Think Pink. Or white. If your rental car company allows you to choose, go with the car, van or truck in the lightest color possible. A vehicle that is white or light-colored, with white or light-colored interior will make several degrees difference. And when it comes to cranking the air-conditioning be careful not to overheat the engine. If you’re driving up a long steep grade, for instance, or you’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic for a long period of time — then open the windows and try to go without the a/c for a while. If not, you may overheat the engine and find yourself baking on the side of the highway waiting for a tow truck.