Summer vacation, a day at the pool, a trip to the grandparents: Especially in hot weather, it is practical not to have to search for the most important things at the last minute. A travel first-aid kit does not replace medical advice, but it helps with minor everyday problems and ensures that regularly needed medications are not left at home.
It is important to note: The travel first-aid kit is not the same for every family. The age of the children, the destination, allergies, long-term medication, and planned activities all play a role. Anyone who takes medication regularly or is traveling with small children should clarify the exact selection in good time at a pharmacy or doctor's office.
What to pack first
Do not start with rare special cases, but with the things that are actually often needed in summer: plasters, blister plasters, elastic bandages, wound disinfectant, tweezers, a clinical thermometer, sun protection, insect repellent, and personal medication. In addition, there are remedies that suit the family and the vacation destination, such as those for travel sickness, fever, pain, diarrhea, constipation, itching, or allergies.
For children, you need specific preparations in the appropriate form and dosage. Tablets for adults are not automatically suitable for children. Diarrhea medication, electrolyte solutions, fever reducers, or nasal drops should also be age-appropriate and clarified by a professional before the trip.
Do not leave medication in a hot car
In summer heat, not only the selection is important, but also the transport. Medicines should be kept as cool, dry, and protected from light as possible. A parked car, the parcel shelf, or a bag in direct sunlight are bad places for this. Medications that require refrigeration, suppositories, sprays, plasters, or some liquids can be particularly sensitive.
If you are traveling by car, it is better to pack medication in the interior rather than the trunk and take it with you during longer stops. Items that require refrigeration should be kept in a suitable cooler bag, but not directly against frozen ice packs if this could cause freezing. Always observe the instructions on the packaging and the package insert.
When flying: Keep essentials in your carry-on luggage
Long-term medication should be kept in your carry-on luggage when flying. This ensures it remains accessible if checked baggage is delayed. The original packaging and package insert help with any queries. Anyone taking syringes, needles, liquid medication, or special pharmaceuticals should clarify in good time whether a medical certificate is useful or necessary.
For travel outside the EU, there are specific rules for taking medication depending on the country. This particularly applies to prescription drugs and certain active ingredients. It is worth checking this before departure, not just at the airport.
Small family checklist before departure
- Check long-term medication: Plan for a sufficient supply for the trip and a small buffer.
- Think of children separately: Pack children's preparations, dosing aids, and a clinical thermometer so they are within reach.
- Plan for sun and insects: Do not forget sun protection, headgear, insect repellent, and tweezers.
- Take documents with you: Pack your health insurance card, vaccination certificate, allergy card, or diabetic ID if relevant.
- Know the local situation: Research the pharmacy, medical help, and emergency numbers at your vacation destination shortly before you leave.
Pack smaller for day trips
Not every excursion requires the large travel first-aid kit. For a lake, outdoor pool, or hike, a small bag with plasters, disinfectant, tweezers, personal medication, sun protection, insect repellent, and enough water is often sufficient. In extreme heat, the bag should stay in the shade and not wait in the car.
When it is very hot, plan for breaks, shade, and drinks. Children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing conditions are particularly sensitive to heat. If warning signs such as severe nausea, confusion, circulatory problems, or clouding of consciousness occur: do not wait, but seek medical help.
Read also
- Storing medication correctly in the heat
- Vacation check for the apartment
- Tick check after the excursion
- Swimming lake with children
- Packing the cooler correctly
- Caught too much sun
Sources and further information
- Ministry of Social Affairs: Heat tips for medication
- Ministry of Social Affairs: Tips for taking medication on trips
- gesundheit.gv.at: Dealing with heat
- ORF.at: Highest heat warning level on the weekend
Article image: AI-generated symbolic image.
