Young adults by the thousands are setting off to all corners of the world. Some of them will be venturing forth on their own for the first time, and safety may be the last thing on their mind.

It’s great to be footloose and carefree, but In-Flight Insider also wants to keep everyone safe so that you can enjoy the journey. Following a few simple rules and taking some common-sense precautions can actually allow young travelers the freedom to be adventurous while also respecting the customs of their host country and protecting themselves without cramping their style.

1. Be aware of local customs. There are now numerous websites that provide useful information about the customs of virtually every country in the world. Something as innocent as chewing gum has been outlawed in Singapore. Being aware of these different customs in advance not only shows respect but also allows for a more positive and satisfying travel experience because you’ll be better able to meet and interact with the local population.

2. Know the dress code. It is only polite in countries where women are dressed modestly, to dress in kind which means no short shorts or midriff-baring tee shirts. And in most European countries, if you’re visiting a church, even as a tourist, you’ll be expected to cover your arms. Again, it’s a question of showing respect for your host, or in this case the host country where you are a guest. [Read more →]

If you’ve ever gotten off a plane feeling 2 sizes bigger, it is most likely because of what you were drinking in-flight. Although all airline cabins are pressurized when flying at 9,800 feet or more, the pressure inside the cabin is slightly lower than what you normally experience on the ground.

As a result, the available oxygen is reduced and the gases inside your body expand. You know how plastic bottles water expand and pop in-flight – Well your body is no different.

Crew members kindly call this “jet-belly.” One way to counteract this unpleasant phenomenon is to not drink anything with bubbles—whether it’s sparkling water, soda, beer, or Champagne. As an experienced flyer, as much as I love sparkling water I make sure never to drink anything carbonated when I’m in the air.

However, you still need to drink because of the risk of dehydration. Passengers must drink to compensate for the extreme dryness of the cabin air and the fact that they breathe more quickly when there is less available oxygen.

So as much as it may seem to be a chore, it’s imperative that you drink plenty of water and keep yourself happy and hydrated!

The years that I was a crew member, I was a member of the “family,” and we all took care of one another. These are the precautions I learned to take and have now adapted to traveling on my own.

I don’t want anyone to feel paranoid, but I also believe that taking these precautions will go a long way toward relieving any anxiety about being alone in a strange location.

1.     When you check in, ask a hotel staff member to accompany you to your room, especially if it’s late or if your room is in a remote location, and ask him or her to remain with you while you check the room for safety and locate the emergency exits.

2.     Check to be sure that the peep hole has not been reversed, which means that someone on the outside could be looking in at you rather than vice versa.

3.     Whenever you return to your room, look around to be sure no one is lurking nearby before you open the door. And if you do see someone, get back on the elevator, return to the lobby, and report it to the front desk. One of the biggest, brawniest, and most experienced flight attendants I know was attacked from behind while opening his door, robbed of his cash, passport, valuables and left in his room with a concussion. He felt invincible. Truth is, it can happen to anyone who isn’t paying attention. [Read more →]

If a tooth is throbbing or sensitive when you’re traveling, what can you do to make yourself more comfortable until you can get to the dentist?

Dr. Nancy Rosen is one of New York City’s leading practitioners of cosmetic and restorative dentistry and appears as a frequent guest expert on national television as well as in magazines and newspapers. Once again, I knew she had the answers.

Carolyn: “How long do you typically have to wait before flying if you have had any dental work done?”
Dr. Rosen: “If you have had fillings, crowns, veneers, cleanings done- you can fly right away. If you had an extraction or a root canal done, you should ask the specialist that did the work. He/She may want you to wait a couple of days to make sure there are no complications from the procedure that was done.”

Carolyn: “What’s the best way to nurse a dental problem until you get back to your dentist?”
Dr. Rosen: “Advil, Motrin or Ibuprofen are the best medications you can take for discomfort. If a filling has come out of a tooth- you can keep the area very clean by brushing and flossing or you can try to go to a drug store and purchase dental temporary paste. Flollow the instructions and contact your dentist once you get home.” [Read more →]

Is it really possible to put a cost on true peace of mind when you travel far from home? A company called MedjetAssist urges travelers to take trips, not chances – a concept that’s makes so much sense to me – I formed a partnership with them on my website.

MedjetAssist membership services that go far beyond most of the benefits provided by travel insurance providers, platinum card programs and even other evacuation services. MedjetAssist actually allows their members to choose which hospital will be their final destination in case of an emergency (as long as that member is more than 150 miles from home).

Whatever the reason you find yourself in a far-away hospital, MedjetAssist will handle all the details to get you to your chosen medical center with no extra charges – just the nominal annual membership fee.

It doesn’t matter if you have a pre-existing condition or a long-term illness – MedjetAssist is always there for you, so you have a health advocate at your service, should things take unexpected turn when you are far from home.

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A new health study completed in the U.K. shows that people with minor heart conditions can fly without with out risking their health. The British Cardiovascular Society completed the finding showing that low-risk patients can fly just three days after a heart attack.

However, the study strongly recommends that high-risk heart patients – hold off on air travel until their condition improves. But even the most severely affected people can still fly if they follow important guidelines.

The health guidelines insist that heart patients drink plenty of non-caffeinated beverages with no alcohol, tea, or coffee. They must also wear compression stockings and take blood thinners.

The study concludes that the risks associated with flying are about the same as those associated with other modes of transportation including trains, buses and cars.

Airlines can (and do) refuse to carry sick passengers and people are advised to warn their airline if they have a condition.

The study indicates that one of the most troubling parts of the trip could take place before the person ever boards the plane because of the stress associated with crowds, delays and carrying heavy luggage.

These safety precautions are useful for everyone, but I think they’re particularly important to have in place if you’re going to be traveling alone.

I’ve traveled to all sorts of places by myself, so I’ve learned what to do/not to do and how to take care of myself. When I was in Dubai (even though it is considered very “Western”), for example, where some women are covered from head to toe, I found that I was uncomfortable, even inside my hotel, just wearing a short-sleeved dress. So I quickly learned to cover my arms—for my own comfort as well as that of the people whose country I was visiting. Here are 7 ways I’ve found to make myself feel safer—and therefore better able to enjoy myself—wherever I am in the world.

1. Be mindful of how open you are about your plans—particular departure and return dates. Especially if you use a social networking site such as Facebook, you can’t be sure of exactly who has access to your site or the information on it. You simply don’t want to advertise exactly when you’ll be away and your home will be vacant.
2. Make sure you’re aware of the travel benefits or Concierge Services on the credit card you use to book your flight and hotels. What kind of travel insurance do you get? Can you change your flight plans without incurring penalties? Can you change hotels easily? You don’t want to get stuck in a place you’re not happy just because it’s going to cost you more to leave.
3. Always carry a few hundred dollars in cash (the currency of your destination) so that you don’t have to hunt for an ATM in a strange city at the last minute if you need to take a taxi or discover that a restaurant doesn’t take credit cards. Particularly in Europe, ATMs are not always readily available or well stocked, and you could wind up in an unsavory or unsafe neighborhood trying to locate one that works. [Read more →]

All travelers need to think about safety—that’s just common sense. When you’re traveling with children, however, it’s particularly important for you to plan ahead. I certainly don’t want to make you uneasy about taking your kids on vacation—just the opposite.

If you have safety plans in place you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your vacation. So here are 5 tips for basic safety I believe everyone should have in place.

1.   Have a designated meeting place outside your hotel. If you’re separated for any reason—you might be in the restaurant having dinner while the kids are in your room—and there’s a fire drill or some other emergency that causes guests to be evacuated, having a spot to meet that’s close enough for the children to get to safely will avoid a great deal of potential confusion and unnecessary panic. [Read more →]

As my go-to person for anything related to skin care or cosmetic surgery, I asked well-known holistic plastic surgeon Dr. Shirley Madhere about particular precautions we need to take when traveling post-plastic surgery.

Dr. Shirley (as she is most often called) approaches treatment from a holistic perspective that integrates cutting-edge Western medicine with a variety of complementary modalities in order ensure the best possible care and outcomes for her patient.

Carolyn:“How long, typically, do you have to wait after minor surgery to fly?”
Dr. Madhere: “A minimum of one (1) week.  However, after plastic surgery, it is advisable not to be at complete rest, since deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and fatal pulmonary embolism (PE) may occur up to one (1) month (4 weeks) after surgery.”

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