Stay Germ Free While on Vacation During the Flu Season

We love this time of year filled with family, friends, holiday traditions, parties, and vacations. Unfortunately this time of year can also come with some unpleasant surprises, germs.  This year there's been a lot of concern over the swine flu, which has been spreading like crazy.  Luckily, there are ways you can prevent catching any of these bugs, even while on vacation.  Here is our list of ways to plan and prepare so you and your loved ones can stay healthy and happy both at home and away this holiday season:

• Wash, scrub, and clean.  Keeping your hands clean and avoiding touching your mouth and nose have always been and continue to be some of the best ways to avoid getting sick.  Wash your hands with soap and warm water whenever possible and carry around hand sanitizer when that's not available.  Be sure especially to wash hands before eating or touching your face for any reason.  Many public places (including the Disneyland® Resort, Walt Disney World® Resort, and cruise ships) provide bulk hand sanitizer dispensers, but to be certain you're prepared, bring a pocket-sized supply of your own.

• Bring disinfectant wipes with you on your trip.  Our hotel partners do a great job keeping their guest rooms clean and comfortable for all who stay there.  However, you don't know if the person who stayed in the room before you left some germs behind.  Use your wipes to quickly disinfect areas where germs might hide like door knobs, faucets, and the remote control.  It also is a good idea to only drink out of disposable cups just to be safe.

• Boost your immune system before and during your trip.  Eating well keeps your body strong and healthy and helps you fight disease.  Vitamins and minerals (particularly vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin E) are especially helpful in strengthening your immune system.  If you're not getting enough of these vitamins on your own, you can take supplements, but we recommend consulting a doctor before making any dietary changes.

• Limit your exposure to people who are sick.  This can be easier said than done, especially when someone in your family or at work is sick.  If it can't be avoided, washing your hands and your area (home, office, etc.) can stop the spread of disease.

• If you're sick, stay away from others and cough into your elbow if you must cough.  If you must go out, wear a mask and bring anti-bacterial wipes to clean off surfaces of any shared spaces or objects, particularly phones, remotes, and keyboards.

We hope these tips will help keep you and yours happy and healthy during your holiday season and vacation!  If you haven't booked your holiday vacation yet, there's still time to get away.  We offer the best vacation packages to the most magical places like the Disneyland® Resort, Walt Disney World® Resort, Las Vegas, cruises, and more!  Give your loved ones the gift of togetherness and making memories and book your vacation today.