Ah . . . the crisp salty air brushes across your cheeks inviting you to rest in a paradise you have worked so hard to get to. As you see the perfect spot for you to rest and you lie down to read your favorite book, suddenly the bugs fly about you and your paradise becomes a place of irritation . . . that is unless you have a plan. While bug spray might dissuade some critters, there are other irritants lurking about that can impact your time of respite this summer.
Summer is here and vacation time is here, too. According to a recent AAA Travel Survey, over 100 million Americans will travel this summer with the total amount spent on vacations at $101.1 billion, up from $89.9 billion last year. Allianz also reported that, on average, Americans will spend $1,978 on summer vacations this year – a 10 percent increase from last year's $1798 average.
Such a costly endeavor requires much thought, preparation . . . and protection. Traveling can be a joy or a real nightmare. Planning ahead can make all the difference in the world. As you prepare to vacation or travel this summer, we wanted to make sure you were prepared—not just for the obvious preparations, but for the unexpected, as well.
Here are a few tips to keep your vacation safe and smart this summer:
1) Stay off Social Media. Don't announce to the world where you are going. Post to your circle of friends after you return.
2) Let close family and friends know your plans and have someone check on your home while you are gone.
3) Secure your home (check windows and doors) and hold mail.
4) Keep cash and credit cards in separate places while traveling.
5) Do your diligent research before traveling, maybe even background checks or knowing your surroundings ahead of time.
6) If traveling with small children, have IDs made of them and go over ground rules with them, maybe even making a map for them so they know their surroundings.
7) Have updated IDs and make a copy of your IDs that you keep separately.
Whether you are traveling abroad or domestically, you will need to have identification compliant with national and international laws. Below are some resources to guide you with proper identification and regulations both domestically and internationally.
- Real ID Requirements: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id
- States NOT compliant with Real ID requirements and their Extension Dates: https://www.dhs.gov/news/2018/10/19/real-id-compliance-extensions-update
- Applying for or Renewing a Passport: https://www.usa.gov/passport
May God refresh you this summer and may your vacation be a safe and joyous one to remember!
Yours for Wise Stewardship,
Jeff Rogers