Snowbird Safety Issues

When snowbirds make the choice to "fly" south for the winter, they should do everything possible to make sure that their experience will be a positive one.

There are some things that can be done ahead of time to be prepared so there will be no surprises.

First, because snowbirds will generally have long stays, they need to make sure that their current home and belongings are safe and will be protected for the duration of the vacation.

The following lists some other factors to think about when leaving to ensure you enjoy the full extent of your trip.

• When you are in public places, make sure you never leave your purse, wallet or keys out of your sight.  Hanging a purse on your chair, the hook on the bathroom stall or even on the table, may be an open invitation for a thief to help themselves.

Instead, keep your belongings close to your body.  Your purse can hang on your knees while at a restaurant, your money can be kept in a hip bag, your keys can be kept seperate, in a different area then your money. 

• Having the right travel insurance is a must.  When you are not prepared it rains...and you don't want a downpour during your vacation.  Make sure that you have the right kind of insurance and for the right length of time. 

Seniors who are travelling, especially need to make sure they have adequate insurance to meet their needs.  Making sure that every aspect of health is covered will lead to less worrying and less stress while on vacation.  Even if there are no ongoing medical concerns, peace of mind is achieved with any form of travel insurance for seniors.

• Make sure you do your research first.  Where are you going? What foods are available? What are the dining establishments you will be visiting?  Make sure you are knowledgeable and wise in your decision making. 

Most places have certain requirements that they need to meet in order to function.  You can check restaurant ratings, Better Business Bureau ratings, read reviews and talk to people who have already been there.  You don't want to spend your money somewhere that you are not going to enjoy.  Research is good so you know what to expect.

All in all, do what you need to do to ensure that you are prepared and protected, safe and sound during your vacation.  Make it the experience of a lifetime.