It’s been a crazy and confining spring. If you are like most other people, you are understandably ready for a change of scenery! 

Alabamians are fortunate to live within driving distance of gorgeous beaches, picturesque lakes, and beautiful mountains. If you are planning your family’s summer getaway, here are a few tips for safe travels from Dr. Ellen Eaton, an infectious diseases professor at UAB. Eaton shared these suggestions in an interview last week with WBHM.

Plan your trip stops before you go

Before you load up the car with kids, pets, water noodles, and baggage, plan out your trip. Where will you stop along the way for restroom breaks? Where will you stop for food? 

If you want to stop at a restaurant, call ahead and understand their processes. Are they allowing customers to eat inside? Do they wear face coverings?

If you know you will need bathroom breaks along the way, plan to stop at less-traveled rest stops and consider wearing a face-covering in public.

Bring your own hand sanitizer

Assume you will have limited access to hand hygiene while on the road and prepare accordingly to protect yourself and others, says the CDC. 

Bring your own hand sanitizer and make sure it contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Bring hand wipes, too, to clean tiny hands when hand washing isn’t an option. Use wipes or sanitizer after touching surfaces like doorknobs and handles or using the restroom.

Also, if you are staying in a hotel or rental property and you want to clean it before you settle in, be sure to bring your own cleaning supplies. (Some destinations may be running low on cleaning supplies, especially if they have an influx of out-of-towners.) You can follow the CDC’s general recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting households to safeguard your vacation rental.

Bring your own food

Rather than stopping for food, bring snacks in the car and skip the drive-through. Pack a cooler with water, veggies, fruit, and sandwiches and save a little money and time on your way to your destinations.

Better yet, eat a meal( and make sure everyone uses the restroom) before you hit the road.

Plan, plan, plan

Travel may take a little more planning and coordination this year, but as long as you follow the guidance of the CDC and state and local health officials, you can still have a wonderful summer vacation!

Find all of your summer essentials at Alabama Outdoors. We want everyone to enjoy the outdoors, and we work to build loyalty one connection at a time. Visit one of our stores or take advantage of our shipping or curbside pickup  #BeOutdoors