Summer travel checklist: how to avoid heat and food illnesses
DIRECT ANSWER: Before summer trips, close routine and destination-specific travel vaccine gaps, pack extra medication, and plan around extreme heat. Hydration, lightweight clothing, and drinking safe water can help prevent heat exhaustion and stomach bugs from derailing vacation plans, according to health experts advising travelers this July.
Key Takeaways
- Check travel vaccine requirements and routine immunizations before departure, especially for international trips with children.
- Heat exhaustion warning signs include heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, headaches, and muscle cramps—move to shade and hydrate early.
- Pack medications for the full trip plus extras, and keep them accessible during flights and long drives.
- Use FAA-approved car seats on planes and proper restraints in rental vehicles to protect kids on summer road trips.
- Build a travel health kit with sunscreen, insect repellent, fever relievers, and hand sanitizer before you leave home.
Summer is peak vacation season, and nothing can ruin a trip faster than a stomach bug or heat exhaustion. As more families hit airports and highways in July 2026, healthcare experts are urging travelers to take a more proactive approach—from staying current on vaccines to preparing for extreme heat and illness risks away from home.
NBC medical contributor Dr. John Torres told TODAY that simple steps like planning around hot temperatures, drinking safe water, and knowing where to find local pharmacies for prescriptions can keep summer travel on track. A little preparation before departure can go a long way.
Which travel vaccines should you get before summer trips?
Health experts, including the CDC, recommend preparing health needs before travel—making sure routine vaccines are current and understanding destination-specific risks. Dr. Amy Lynn Valentine, pharmacy district leader at CVS Health, noted that many travelers focus on what to pack but not how to prepare from a health perspective.
Close vaccine gaps including routine immunizations and other travel vaccines before you go. If traveling internationally with children, check with your doctor about new vaccines or preventive medications, and review vaccination requirements for your destination, as 94.7 WCSX advises. Your local CVS pharmacist may help you plan ahead and feel confident before departure.
How can you prevent heat exhaustion while traveling?
Hot weather and increased outdoor activity raise heat exhaustion risk, especially in unfamiliar climates. Common symptoms include heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, headache, and muscle cramps. Without early action, heat-related illness can worsen quickly.
To prevent problems, stay hydrated, take breaks from the sun, and wear lightweight clothing. Dr. Torres recommends planning activities around peak temperatures. If symptoms develop, move to a cooler environment, drink fluids, and rest. Seek medical attention or call 911—or your destination's emergency line abroad—if care is unavailable.
What medication and safety steps protect families on the road?
Pack enough medication for your entire trip plus extra in case of delays. Keep prescriptions easily accessible during flights or long car rides, and check expiration dates on everyday essentials. For international travel, confirm medicines are permitted through embassy guidance for your destination and layover countries.
July also marks UV Safety Month, making sun and travel safety planning essential for families. Research whether destinations are safe for children, use proper car seats for road trips, and bring mosquito protection in areas where mosquito-borne diseases pose a risk. Stay within arm's reach of children near water, and encourage life jacket use on boats.
For broader wellness and planning resources, see our Fintech & Crypto Alerts coverage. MinuteClinic offers virtual and in-person care if illness strikes while you are away, helping travelers spend less time on what-ifs and more time enjoying the trip.