It’s here, friends! The hot, hazy days of summer!
And, if you’re lucky enough to take a weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle, you’ll want to pack up the kids, pack up your troubles, and be the most prepared mom! Today, I’ll show you how to ensure you’ve got the essentials you need for safe, summer fun.
Essential #1: Sunscreen. (I am totally NOT going to tell you to pack sunscreen. It’s 2016, folks! We know the negative effects of damage caused by harmful UVA and UVB rays. And if you don’t know, look it up! Trust me on this one.)
Essential #2: Insect Repellent. This is a new addition to my list; in the past, I’ve simply believed that bug bites were a part of growing up. I mean, who doesn’t remember sitting on the porch until the streetlights came on, swatting mosquitoes away while making the most of the long, humid summer evening? However, mosquitoes today have the potential to carry a variety of unsavoury viruses, including West Nile Virus which can be found in our own backyard! Therefore, wherever you’re headed this summer, pack a quality insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
Essential #3: BENADRYL®. So, what happens when bites happen? Remember to pack Children’s BENADRYL® Liquid, BENADRYL® Itch Spray and BENADRYL® Itch Stick. They’re staples for every travel kit and provide fast, effective relief of skin itch and pain caused by allergic reactions and insect bites/stings. And, BENADRYL® has been moms’ and doctors’ first choice for kids’ allergies and allergic reactions for over 60 years, so you know you can trust it for your little ones.
(Psst! Canadian travellers have voted BENADRYL® as their favourite brand for Allergy Medicine in Trip Advisor’s 2016 Travellers’ Choice Awards! Travellers’ Choice Awards are determined by surveying thousands of travelers around the world. Just another reason to “REMEMBER THE DRYL®”! Read and submit your own product review of BENADRYL® on Bazaarvoice.)
Essentials #4: Tweezers, Scissors, Gauze and Tape. I know, it sounds like they should be essentials in every first aid kit. However, with the restrictions involved with air travel, more and more moms are simply leaving these items at home. Don’t. Please don’t. Pack them in a separate kit – apart from your medications – in your checked baggage. You’ll never know when you may need them! On a recent trip to Orlando, my 6-year old son took a spill on a boardwalk. An hour later, I was removing over twenty small splinters from his hands and knees with my tweezers. It wasn’t fun, but I was very happy I came prepared!
Essential #5: A Quality No-Touch Thermometer. When you’re on vacation, it’s not the right time to play the guessing game with whether or not your child has a fever (and if it requires intervention to bring it down). Plain and simple, those flimsy travel thermometers will not always provide the most accurate measurement. And when it comes to your child’s fever, trust me, accuracy is your friend. So, invest in a quality “no-touch” (or forehead) thermometer, and make sure it always has fresh batteries before you travel.
I hope these tips will help you become the most prepared mom! If you have any other suggestions, please leave them in the comments for us all to see. Have a wonderful summer, all!
This post was sponsored by the makers of BENADRYL®. Thoughts and opinions are my own. This post should not be used to diagnose your allergy symptoms, or the cause of them. Seek a health care professional if you experience any signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction, and always read and follow the label.
I always have my “TO GO’ bag assembled before leaving on an outing
All great items, better to be prepared! I also make sure I have Tylenol, Advil, Immodium & Gravol with me when we travel…just in case.
If I’m going somewhere hot I always pack some re-hydration salts in my first aid kit. I’ve never had to use the myself but twice I’ve given them to someone else who needed them. Once for sunstroke and another time for food poisoning.
We have a to go bag ready at the door whenever we go out….even for just the day! Accidents and bites happen anywhere!
where’s the bottle of wine in that list?
I love all that itinerary!…especially the insect repellent!
very good list!
This all sounds so wonderful,i guess if i want to see the sun i will have to take a vacation,we had frost last night and i believe yesterday it was 9…..please Mother Nature bring us some nice weather.Thanks for the list.
Don’t forget the Scooby Snacks to quell the vacationing munchies
Perfect list of things to have with you on vacation. I never thought of bringing a Thermometer.
This is the,perfect list, I always try to remember these but I always seem to forget sunscreen
That is a wonderful list. It’s good to be prepared!
Oh Lena it is good to be prepared! I like to count on you to help me be prepared, as my memory fades. Great post!
It’s a good thing to use these items all the time, not just for a trip or you’ll find they’ve expired when you really need them.
Fantastic tips. Great idea to take tweezers, scissors and gauze in your checked bag.
I love your tips Lena, such a great timing!
I am on vacation right now and BENADRYL, bug spray and sunscreen are a definite must.
another essential: a spare battery pack to keep up the selfie game around town
I want in that pool.
I like to think I’m prepared most times we leave the house…..I tend to keep a bag packed with essentials at the door at all time, but it’s a shot in the dark that it leaves with us lol
I wish I had to think about being prepared when on vacation but I never get a vacation!
great tips. it pays to be prepared!
I feel like im always prepared for when we go on vacation, road trips , just never know when you might need something . ALWAYS PREPARE
I live my most vibrant life by living each to the fullest & spending lots of time together as a family
I never leave home without finding my destination on Google Maps cause I am so bad with directions :)
I always pack (at least) twice as much as I use and yet still manage to never be prepared… I really should make a first aid kit and put it in the car! Thanks!
BENADRYL is a must for sure :D
This is a good list. Over the years I have developed my own list and kit. It includes the items you have listed as well as a few that are particular to our needs. My tip would be to make a master list that you can add to and adjust as experience shows you what works for you.
We always have a backpack ready with supplies needed for outings
Benadryl is a must! I always pack it for any trip plus I keep the itch stick in my purse. Such a good thing to have on hand. We do a lot of camping & bites definitely happen no matter how much bug spray we use.
This is a great list of necessary items you need when the bad things come up during summer or your vacation but I just bought an emergency kit that has everything so I don’t have to think about any of it.
Now that Spring has finally arrived we got the darn mosquitoes .