I recently covered some amazing family-friendly vacation ideas that children and adults will love. Today, I’m going to show you how to keep yourself and your family safe on your trip to Hawaii so you can come home with wonderful memories and stories to tell.
When most people think of traveling to Hawaii, they consider it a pretty safe destination for singles, families with children and most other kinds of travelers. Even though you may feel like you’re in a remote corner of the world when you travel to Hawaii, it is a U.S. state, so it enjoys a relatively safe, protected and carefree existence.
While Hawaii is mostly crime-free, there are some natural wonders that may pose safety concerns should a traveler approach them with abandon and a blind eye.
Hawaii is a beautiful place filled with soaring mountains, towering cliffs, turbulent waters, and abundant wildlife. There is always the possibility of volcanic activity (although it is low) and it’s often easy to get lost when taking trails without proper research and guidance first.
When you travel to Hawaii, you’ll want to thoroughly enjoy your vacation, and sometimes that means experiencing things and places for the first time. That’s okay; it’s part of the excitement of travel. Just be as prepared as you can for what you may come up against when you’re trekking through a rainforest, leaning over a crater or forging a trail.
I’ve compiled some safety tips that you should follow to keep yourself safe and realize the Hawaiian vacation of your dreams:
1. Safety in Towns and Cities
There are some simple precautions you can take when you’re visiting Hawaii that extend from where you sleep to where you play. For instance, when you’re staying in a hotel room or cottage, be sure to keep your doors locked and make sure you walk in areas that are as well-lit as possible. Keep valuables at home or tucked away safely somewhere, and pay with a credit card instead of cash.
Common sense and an attitude of precaution will serve you well when you’re in places you don’t know.
2. Safety Outdoors
Whether you’re hiking trails or climbing volcanoes, you’ll want to take measures to ensure your safety on your excursion. There have been reports of travelers falling into dangerous or deadly situations that could have been avoided had they taken a moment to plan for emergencies.
When you’re outdoors, watch out for scorpions and centipedes. Both can deliver a powerful sting. If a scorpion does sting you, seek medical attention immediately. Centipede stings can be treated with ice to reduce the swelling.
If you have a heart condition or are pregnant, avoid Volcanoes National Park on The Big Island. It is known to produce sulfuric fumes.
When journeying into remote places, make sure that you have emergency medical equipment, food, a flashlight and plans to make it out before dark, if necessary. Always let someone know where you’re going and hike or travel with a group, partner, or guide.
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3. Safety in the Water
Many of Hawaii’s beaches are placid and serene, but there are also quite a few where you’ll have to be cautious of rough currents, rocky sea floors, nearby cliffs and ocean critters that can defend themselves by stinging.
When you plan a day at the beach in Hawaii, make sure that you choose a beach with a lifeguard on duty, or have someone who is an excellent swimmer and trained in CPR in your group. Even if you’re traveling with someone who meets these conditions, you will still need to read up on any special conditions that apply to the beach you are visiting.
Most people who get stung by a jellyfish or sea urchin will tell you that it really puts a damper on their vacation. Be careful when you wade out into the water.
Ask for advice and tips on water conditions from locals in the area to avoid injuries like scrapes and cuts from coral and other ocean features. Try to swim in waters that are clear so you know exactly what’s around and below you.
4. Safety Elsewhere
There are a few other tricks that will keep you safe on your Hawaiian adventure, such as applying sunblock to protect yourself from sunburns. Reapply each time you get out of the water and every hour or two when you’re not in the water. Wearing sunglasses and a brimmed hat is a great way to address sun safety, as is choosing clothes that keep the body covered.
Some areas of Hawaii can get very warm and balmy; so make sure that you always have water with you to keep yourself hydrated. If you’re sensitive to the sun, travel to island destinations where you can escape into the shade for a while if you need to.
Remember, if you do meet up with an emergency, you can call 9-1-1 on most islands. The exception is Molokai where you will simply dial 0.
There are plenty of thrills to be had in Hawaii, from surfing to skydiving. However adventurous you are, though, you should follow these tips and stay safe. There’s no need to lose your exciting vacation to something as boring as a bad sunburn!