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The 6 Best First Aid Kits for Travel 2024

Stay prepared with compact, pre-made first aid kits fit for any adventure.

Katherine Alex Beaven is a Los Angeles-based travel, food and drink, and culture writer.

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Travel + Leisure / Kristin Kempa

First aid kits are often one of the most overlooked travel accessories, even though they can make or break your vacation experience. In best-case scenarios, you won’t ever need it, but on the off-chance you do, it’ll quickly prove to be one of the most savvy additions to your packing list. First aid kits come in handy for help with everything from headaches and dehydration to cuts, scrapes, and bites, or even sprained appendages. 

For expert insight on what to look for in a travel first aid kit and why they are one of the most essential travel accessories, we spoke with Raelene Brooks, PhD, RN, Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Phoenix. Based on our research and experience and Brooks’ expert advice, we compared various top-selling travel first aid kits on the market, making sure to consider the overall size, number of items, variation of ailments covered, and variety of items included. The waterproofed Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight .5 first aid kit is our favorite thanks to its wide array of wellness gear despite its compact size — but if you’re looking for something a little different, we’ve got plenty of great first aid kit picks below.

Best Overall

Adventure medical kit ultralight watertight .5.

It treats a wide variety of issues and comes in a lightweight, double-waterproof pouch.

The bag lacks any interior organization.

The Adventure Medical Kit Ultralight Watertight .5 is our go-to first aid kit for travel. We’ve traveled around the globe, staying in posh safari lodges and in backpacker hostels with this kit and it has never let us down. It comes with over 40 pieces of first aid to help tackle everything from splinters and blisters to minor cuts or scrapes to bug bites. We like that it also comes with two doses of various over-the-counter pain relievers, plus antihistamine, antibiotic ointment, and tools to remove ticks and fasten bandages. You’ll also get a good variety and number of bandages and wound dressings. We’ve found that it’s also easy to replace these items as needed while on the go. Fully stocked, the contents are enough to cover one person for about two days (with the same affliction).

Standout features are the durable double-waterproof bagging (which comes in clutch on rainy days, winter road trips , and water adventures and also in case of spills or heavy humidity), the minimal 3.6-ounce weight, and two exterior corner loops that make it easy to clip the kit onto your backpack for easy access. The bright yellow color makes it easy to find in a pinch, though we will say that the lack of interior organization may cause some people to fumble through the contents of the bag trying to find what they need (not ideal in an emergency situation). 

The Details: 5.5 x 11 x 1 inches | 43 pieces

Johnson & Johnson First Aid To Go Kit

It covers bandage basics and leaves room for you to customize your kit.

The included items will likely help minor cuts or scrapes only.

If you’re just looking for the bare minimum of what you might need while out on a trip, the Johnson & Johnson First Aid To Go kit is your best bet. This smaller-than-your-hand-sized kit contains 12 first aid items, mostly centered around minor scrapes and cuts. You’ll get sterilizing wipes, two sizes of bandages, and a couple of gauze pads — all tucked and stored nicely in a sturdy plastic case with a snap-tight closure. There’s no medicine or tools in the case, but there’s plenty of room left in the case to add your own custom extras to beef up the kit (which is what we’ve done in the past) such as over-the-counter pain pills, prescription medication, allergy pills, cotton swabs, tweezers, or other travel-sized first aid items. It’s still a great and convenient kit to just toss into your day bag or day tripper waist bag.

The Details: 3.8 x 4.3 x 1.1 inches | 12 pieces

Best Comprehensive

First aid only all-purpose essentials first aid kit.

It includes items that many other kits leave out, like a thermometer and gloves.

You may want to upgrade with your own OTC medicines.

This nearly 300-piece kit contains everything you’d need to use in an accident situation involving burns, cuts, or scrapes — down to the disposable gloves, scissors, and a thermometer. Like most kits, it’s heavily focused on bandages, and includes a variety of adhesive, fabric, and gauze bandages, as well as butterfly wound closure bandages, knuckle bandages, and fingertip bandages. You’ll also get key ointments and wipes to treat burns and stings, and fight germs. Additional tools include a tongue depressor (which also doubles as a finger splint), thermal blanket, cold pack, and tweezers. Impressively, all this and more fits inside a double-sided zippered case no larger than the usual toiletry bag. Although it’s packed with first aid accessories, we would like to see more medicine included.

The Details: 9.25 x 2.87 x 7 inches | 298 pieces

Best for International Travel

My medic ready mini first aid kit.

It comes with individually-packaged, ailment-specific mods that cover a wide range of first aid needs.

It’s a little bigger than we’d like.

When traveling to a foreign country, acquiring some first aid items may be more difficult due to a language barrier, overall access, or how the healthcare system works. The My Medic Ready Mini First Aid Kit is packed full of first aid accessories to cover everything from allergies to cuts to suspect water quality. The exterior is water-resistant and easy to wipe clean, while reinforced zippers also help keep water out. Inside, two mesh stash pockets are loaded with My Medic color-coded mods — individually packaged kits containing items to treat specific issues — so you can easily find what you need. Standout features include pieces for wound irrigation, a digital first aid and survival tips guide, a flashlight, hydration packets, water purification tablets, and a whistle. We’re also big fans of thoughtful items like hydrocortisone cream, friction frosting, and petroleum jelly. We appreciate that the kit is small enough to hold in one hand, but it can still feel like it’s taking up a fair amount of packing space.

The Details: 7.5 x 4 x 7.5 inches | 100 pieces

Best for Kids

Keepgoing first aid gokit.

It’s a TSA-approved first aid kit designed with kids’ needs in mind.

It doesn’t include any medicines.

Looking for a cheery take on a first aid kit? KeepGoing First Aid GoKit comes in multiple, cute kid-friendly patterns to help make the first aid experience a bit brighter. The kit comes with 130 pieces of first aid items ranging from bandages to moleskins and disposable thermometers — all with kid-friendly patterned packaging. Some of the standout features include tick removers, cotton-tipped applicators, trauma scissors, and 20 stickers to award brave kids. While this kit does come with a good assortment of creams (hydrocortisone, burn relief, lip balm, and antibiotic), it doesn’t have any medicine included, so you may want to add your own.

The Details: 6.75 x 5 x 2 inches | 130 pieces

Best for Dogs

Adventure medical kits me & my dog.

It’s a kit that can be used for both you and your dog!

For dogs, it mainly centers around the treatment of paw injuries.

You do everything with your dog, so why not share a first aid kit? We love this kit because you don’t have to pack two different kits; you and your dog can both be helped with the contents in this one kit. The Adventure Medical Kits Me and My Dog Kit has bandages, gauze dressings, antiseptic wipes, wound irrigation, and sterile gloves for cuts and other wounds. It also has two doses of aspirin and antihistamine each, a cold compress and wrap for sprains, and key first aid tools like trauma scissors, tick removal tweezers, a thermal emergency blanket, and a leash. One of the bandages doubles as a muzzle for scared pups, and if you’re unsure how to apply any of the items to your furry best friend, there’s also a pet first aid manual to help guide you. Since this is a simple zippered case, it could be worth adding some medications as advised by your vet as this kit mainly covers injuries from walking and not other hazards like foreign object ingestion or non-paw maladies.

The Details: 7.5 x 3.5 x 5.3 inches | 48 pieces

Tips for Buying a Travel First Aid Kit

Prioritize size and durability.

In a best-case scenario, you won’t ever have to use your travel first aid kit, so it will be traveling with you often. Give extra points to kits that are durable enough to survive multiple trips and that come in a size that can be packed in all different travel situations (think lightweight and compact).

Check how many people can be treated with the kit

Consider your travel group size when buying a travel first aid kit. Does one kit cover the entire family or just one or two people? Be sure to pack enough first aid to treat each person you’re responsible for.

Consider the conditions and risk of your trip

Different trips will dictate the exact items you’ll need in your first aid kit. Look for kits that can address specific dangers or injuries you may face on your trip, from sunburns to sprains and insect bites to serious cuts.

Carrying a first aid kit on your travels stocks you with essential life-saving items that can help provide temporary care during an emergency situation until help can arrive, Brooks says. She also adds that locating these items in a foreign country or when traveling can be difficult, making it best for travelers to have their own kits on hand.

According to Brooks, some of the most essential items a kit should include are medical tape, compression wound dressing, gauze, irrigation wound wash, antiseptic/antibiotic ointment, alcohol pads, cleaning/prep pads, and assorted sizes of blister strips and bandages. She also says it’s useful to have pills to treat motion sickness, allergies, and mild pain, plus cold packs, wound closure materials, a thermal blanket, hydration packets, and even a multi-purpose plastic bag that can be used as a splint, as gloves, or as a CPR shield.

Buy products that cover the essential must-have first aid kit items, and then add any specialty custom items for your specific travel situation, activities, or health concerns. For example, Brooks advises that anyone with asthma include an albuterol inhaler, while travelers with diabetes should include some candies or glucose for low blood sugar. Those with cardiac issues should pack nitroglycerin tablets or spray, along with aspirin.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure? 

For this list, Katherine Alex Beaven talked to a medical professional about essential items that should be in a travel first aid kit. Alex also considered kits based on her own 15 years of personal experience as a frequent, accident-prone traveler. While researching first aid kits for travel, we spoke with Raelene Brooks , PhD, RN, Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Phoenix .

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. 

15 Tips on how to assemble a perfect travel first-aid kit

by Anne Betts | Dec 31, 2022 | Health, Safety and Comfort | 5 comments

Updated December 31, 2022

How do you assemble a perfect travel first-aid kit , yet still manage to pack light? I don’t claim to have a universal solution, but the following works for me.

Table of Contents

1. Identify your needs in travel first-aid kit

2. never packing ‘what-if’ items doesn’t apply to a first-aid kit, 3. build your kit from scratch, 4. get sound advice, 5. help out other travellers if possible, 6. adopt packing light strategies, 7. get prescriptions filled before departure, 8. label everything, 9. have access to medicinal information and first-aid advice, 10. review your kit before each trip, 11. list kit contents, 12. identify factors affecting kit contents, 13. individualize your kit, 14. and to complement my first-aid kit…, 15. back home, reach into the travel first-aid kit, 16. in summary….

Each kit is different. A first step is figuring out what you expect of yours. Here are some ideas:

• It has what’s needed to respond to illness and injuries given the destination, season, activities, and health needs of those who depend on the kit.
• It contains enough supplies to deal with minor injuries and illnesses until it’s possible to get to the nearest clinic or pharmacy. Besides, no one wants to spend valuable travel time navigating a new destination (especially when feeling unwell). 
• It takes existing health issues into consideration, and travel related injuries and illnesses given past experience.
• It contains trusted supplies written in a familiar language and acquired at a cost that may be cheaper at home than at your destination.
• It’s small enough, and light enough, to carry at all times (or have key items always accessible).

Packing light travellers advocate never packing ‘what-if’ items.

A first-aid kit is an exception. It’s like that emergency medical insurance you hope to never have to use. Returning home with a kit that was never opened, or tossing expired medication that was never used, are indications of healthy, injury-free travels.

Assemble your own first-aid kit. It gives you more control over the contents and the container. By all means, look for clues from pre-assembled kits, but there’s a good chance an off-the-shelf kit won’t meet your needs. Cobble together your own, considering your destination, activities, and health needs. Chances are it will be cheaper, lighter, smaller, and more useful than a generic version.

Bloggers, especially those with a healthcare background, are helpful sources of ideas. For specific advice, consult a professional health care provider. Your family doctor and pharmacist are aware of your health issues, and can suggest compatible OTC (Over-The-Counter) medication. Your pharmacist can also provide suggestions on generic (and cheaper) alternatives to brand-name products. A travellers’ clinic specializes in preparing people for worldwide travel.

Unhealthy or injured travelling companions impact on all members of a group. My first-aid kit has responded to the occasional health issues of others, and I’ve been the grateful beneficiary of supplies from another person’s kit.

The right supplies in the right quantities add very little weight, and are invaluable if they allow everyone to get on with their travels.

• While cycling beside the canals of the Netherlands , a blister pack containing two Tylenol tablets fixed a companion’s splitting headache.
• A couple of Loperamide tablets enabled us to continue exploring Singapore when my nephew was suddenly struck with an attack of Travellers’ Diarrhea .
• When hiking the trails of Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia, a piece of anti-blister tape protected a friend’s heel from further chafing.
• When hiking the Banks Track in New Zealand, another hiker gave me some hiking wool to help prevent chafing of sensitive areas. 

If your kit is large and heavy, you’ll be tempted to leave it at home, or back at your accommodation. A first-aid kit should be small enough, light enough, and functional enough to have a permanent place in your day bag.

• Look for travel-friendly sizes. Check out truck stops, drug stores, dollar stores, and hiking and outdoor stores for products packaged in small sizes. Google “OTC medication travel sizes” and you may discover online suppliers in your own country. This is how I stumbled across minimus.biz  with their range of single-dose blister packs of OTC medication and first-aid supplies.

• Dollar-store purchases tend to be much cheaper than those available elsewhere. I find it hurts less to discard expired medication or have folding scissors confiscated by an overzealous security agent if I paid dollar-store prices for the item. 
• Where feasible, choose blister packs of tablets over bottles and liquids, and single-dose blister packs over tubes and bottles.

• Where feasible, transfer or decant to smaller containers.
• Use see-through zip-top pill pouch bags to separate various products.

• Choose a container for your kit that slips easily into a day bag. It will need to be waterproof if you’re involved in activities around water. Otherwise, carry a spare zip-top bag, dry bag , or a rain cover for your daypack.
• Pack a pocket pill container  for storing medication and supplements for use while in transit or on the move.

Your prescriptions are valid only in your home country. Get them filled before leaving home. Pack quantities needed for the duration of the trip, and extra to cover possible travel delays. Ask your pharmacist for the smallest possible labelled container, and ask for the expiry date to be listed.

Scan the information sheets received with the medication, and take the electronic copies with you. For this purpose, I use the app Scanner Pro  and cloud-based app, Dropbox . 

Don’t separate medication from the manufacturer’s packaging. Keep medication in its sealed package or blister pack to protect its integrity, stability, and effectiveness.

The manufacturer’s packaging helps promote safe use by providing information on medicinal ingredients, dosage instructions, and expiry dates. It’s also useful information to help respond to possible inquiries of border services agents.

Having the medicinal ingredients at your fingertips is handy when trying to purchase additional supplies across a language barrier. If you separate medication from its box, cut up the box and slip the pieces containing relevant information into a small zip-top bag with the blister tabs.

For supplements and probiotics, I find the containers take up too much space. Zip-top bags and reusable prescription containers offer downsizing options.

Before packing or taking any medication, consult an authority site for information and advice.

• How should it be safely stored?
• What temperatures affect its effectiveness?
• Will it cause drowsiness?
• What can or can’t be taken with it?
• Can it be taken on an empty stomach?
• What’s the suggested maximum dosage within a 24-hour period?

Drugs.com is an excellent resource, as is the Traveler Advice Page of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Canadian Red Cross First-Aid app is a useful resource for emergency first-aid advice.

Remaining committed to carry-on travel requires packing with time to spare. I tend to start at least a week before departure, and definitely earlier if I know my first-aid kit needs refreshing. It helps to break packing into manageable chunks, usually by category such as ‘toiletries,’ ‘first-aid kit,’ or ‘clothing.’ For the first-aid kit, this means time to: 

• discard expired medication
• replenish low supplies or missing items
• remove or include destination- or season-specific items
• communicate with others, if not travelling solo, to lighten the load by sharing supplies across first-aid kits.

A detailed list of the contents of your first-aid kit, and those items that complement what’s in the kit, can be helpful. Brand names (and their generic equivalents) aren’t available in all countries, so it’s important to include the medicinal ingredients of each. Store it in a cloud storage app, or where it’s readily accessible on your device.

• keeps you organized when it comes to replenishing or removing supplies;
• is helpful when seeking advice from health care professionals;
• is useful when consulting with travelling companions on sharing first-aid supplies;
• is a reference to avoid overdosing when taking combinations of different medications (e.g., “Tylenol Poisoning” is a real problem; some cold-and-flu medication also contains Acetaminophen/Paracetamol);
• enables you to purchase depleted items with the same or similar medicinal ingredients at your destination; and
• can be easily updated for future travels.

Take into account your own health needs and previous experience in managing them. For example, here are some of the things I considered for recent trips.

Blister prevention and treatment. It’s not uncommon to walk 20 km / 12.5 mi each day, more than at home. Also, feet change. Shoes that fit perfectly when they were purchased might not remain so.

Allergic reactions to insect bites.  Biting insects are my nemesis. The New Zealand sandflies sent me scurrying for antihistamine, and bites from some unknown insect in Australia landed me in the emergency department of a hospital (at a considerable cost) to get a prescription for an antibiotic (that cost $5 to fill). I now ask my doctor for a prescription for both an antibiotic ointment and tablets that can be filled before leaving home.

Digestive ailments. I take medication for acid reflux. This means that Acetaminophen/Paracetamol (e.g., Tylenol) is a safer pain reliever than Ibuprofen (e.g., Advil). Also, with reduced acid in my stomach, I always expect Travellers’ Diarrhea. I also need to plan to deal with occasional and very uncomfortable heartburn.

Minor scrapes.  Most trips involve time on a bike or scooter, increasing the chance of minor scrapes and abrasions.

Respiratory issues. I have a propensity for a bad case of the ‘flu to morph into pneumonia. After remaining insanely healthy during the pandemic, I expected to fall prey to Covid or influenza on my first post-pandemic international trip. This pointed to the need to pack Covid test kits, and my doctor gave me prescriptions for an antibiotic and a puffer, both filled before leaving home.

Staying healthy on long-haul flights. Planes harbour harmful bacteria, and long flights increase the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis. The dry environment contributes to dehydration, dry skin, and sore nasal passages.

In the event it’s helpful, here’s a list of the contents of my kit, based on the considerations described above, and the advice of my family doctor and pharmacist. I favour generic alternatives to brand-name products as they can be considerably cheaper.  

• Anti-diarrhea (e.g., Imodium): Loperamide hydrochloride 2 mg when a blocker is required (e.g., on transit days)
• Antihistamine allergy relief (e.g., Claritin): Loratadine 10mg
• Topical antibiotic for skin infections: Sodium Fusidate 2% (prescription)
• Oral antibiotic for skin infections: Amoxycillin/clavulanic 875/125 mg (prescription)
• Antibiotic for respiratory/bronchial bacterial infections and severe Travellers Diarrhea: Azithromycin dehydrate 250 mg (prescription)
• Anti-nauseant (e.g., Gravol): Dimenhydrinate 50 mg
• Blister prevention and treatment: Dr. Scholl’s Moleskin Plus ; Moleskin pre-cut and shaped by Adventure Medical Kits ; Polysporin Blister Treatment Cushions; Spenco 2nd Skin Adhesive Knit ; blister prevention wool ; BAND-AID ® Blister Cushion
• Cough, cold and ‘flu relief: Sambucol Black Elderberry Pastilles
• Heartburn relief: Tums Extra Strength  (Calcium carbonate 750 mg)
• Antiseptic: tea tree oil
• Miscellaneous aids: cotton wool buds ( Organyc ); cotton balls; tweezers (remove splinters, thorns, ticks, debris); safety pins (remove splinters, thorns, fashion a sling, miscellaneous uses); folding scissors ( Fiskars )
• Pain relief, fever reducer: Extra Strength Tylenol (Acetaminophen 500 mg)
• Wound care: MooreBrand Gauze Pads (2” x 2”); Webcol Alcohol Prep Pads (Isopropyl Alcohol 70%); 3M Steri-Strips ; waterproof bandages ; variety of sizes and shapes of plasters

All these supplies fit in a soft-sided zippered packing organizer measuring 17 x 10 cm / 7 x 4 in and weighing 218 g / 7.7 oz.

• compression socks
• clear duct tape (to keep a bandage in place)
• emergency ID bracelet
• flashlight: FourSevens MiNi X
• immune support: Ener-C drink mix ; NOW Oregano Veg Capsules 450 mg
• insect repellent: Mosquito Shield Piactive (Icaridin 20%)
• electrolyte hydration supplement (exercise, flights, hot climates): NUUN Sport
• Nature’s Aid all-natural skin gel with healing and soothing properties for allergic reactions, minor scrapes, sunburn, and inflamed muscles
• laminated Emergency Contact Card

• nasal soreness: Boroleum (Petrolatum 97.92%; Camphor 1%; Menthol 0.54%)
• pashmina (doubles as a makeshift sling)
• probiotics: Saccharomyces Boulardii
• activated charcoal
• sanitizing wipes: EO Lavender plastic-free bamboo wipes
• Soap Leaves: Sea to Summit
• sunscreen: All good sunscreen butter
• tablet towels
• reusable dry bag to make an ice pack

Rather than keeping separate supplies in a home medicine cabinet and a travel first-aid kit, anything with an expiry date should be utilized when it’s needed. Purging a a travel first-aid kit of expired medication can be costlier than it needs to be, especially if you’ve enjoyed healthy and injury-free travels. 

• Avoid pre-assembled kits. Build your own.
• Be strategic. Base kit contents on your destination, season, activities, and health needs.
• Get advice from health care professionals.
• Look for medication and supplies in travel sizes.
• Don’t separate medication from its packaging.
• Keep a record of the exact medicinal ingredients of what’s in your kit.
• NEVER, NEVER, NEVER travel without emergency medical insurance. When your kit comes up short, an early visit to a healthcare centre could be the best financial decision you’ll make. 

With thanks to Adrian Comeau, Pharmacist, Saulnierville Pharmacy, for his helpful suggestions and advice.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are for general travel health information only. It’s not a replacement for a personal consultation with your doctor, pharmacist or travel medicine specialist.

If you found this useful, you might be interested in these related posts:

• How to prevent and treat travellers’ diarrhea
• Ten suggestions on what to pack in case of a travel medical emergency
• Create a travel comfort pack for easy access to self-care essentials
• 25 Ideas on how to prepare an emergency preparedness toolkit for travellers
• It could save your life. Get an emergency ID bracelet for travellers
• How to make a traveller’s emergency contact card in 5 easy steps
• 12 Ideas on what to include in a MacGyver kit for travellers
• Travel with tablet towels: a multipurpose essential every traveller should pack
• No soap? No problem travelling with soap leaves
• Travelling with duct tape: 30 practical uses
• 10 Reasons to travel with dry bags

Thoughts? Suggestions? What’s in your travel first-aid kit?

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Your thinking is so thorough! I will definitely reread this when the time comes to prepare for my next trip. The one I have with me now is twice the size of yours…

Thank you for this! The steps are so on-point! I’ve been thinking of assembling me and family’s first-aid kit, not because we’re travelling soon but because of the natural calamities happening. We do not know when a storm’s gonna hit or when will there be an earthquake that’s why i’m searching on what to put in a first-aid kit. I’m so thankful I came across this post. This is so helpful! Thank you so much!

Great piece of advice on how to carry your first aid kit while travelling.

Great tips! I love making sure my first aid box is full of everything we might need. I’d suggest every parent take a first aid course so they are prepared.

Very informative read! I agree one must be equipped with a proper first aid kit before venturing out to a new place for vacation or a visit. I usually keep medicines for allergy, gold cough, stomach ache, muscle ache and most importantly for any injury.

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17 Travel Safety Gear Essentials You Need To Pack

By Jessie Festa. This article on travel safety accessories is sponsored by Jase Medical and contains affiliate links to trusted partners.

Not sure what travel safety gear to pack?

Then you’re in the right place! Let’s be honest; we’ve all pulled our hair out (and maybe cried a little) when trying to decide what to pack.

Though no matter what you put in your carry-on, travel safety items should be high on the packing list.

You’ve heard it before but I’ll say it again: nothing should come before your health and safety.

While there are myriad beautiful places to explore filled with good people, the truth is we live in an unpredictable world where anything can happen at any minute.

My intention isn’t to scare you from traveling, but to make sure you’re prepared for the worst, even if it’s unlikely to happen. This is why I’m sharing this list of my personal top picks for travel safety items.

You’ll also hear about one of the most important items for traveling you can pack, the Jase Case , which can help with emergency antibiotic preparedness.

Table of Contents

How To Stay Safe While Traveling: Preparation

The best way to stay safe while traveling is to prepare for unfortunate situations on the road before you leave home.

This should include looking up local scams and issues to be aware of, familiarizing yourself with local customs and beliefs so you don’t offend locals, and researching where is and isn’t safe to explore.

Along with considering personal protection for travel, you should also think about travel health. Ask yourself: how medically prepared are you?

According to the CDC , about 130 million Americans visit the emergency room each year – many of which could be prevented through education and having the right supplies and medications on hand.

It’s important to empower yourself to be your own caregiver – especially when visiting a remote destination or a place where the standard of care may not be the same as you’re used to.

Plus, as the last few challenging years have taught us, you never know when a natural disaster may occur or when the global supply chain will be interrupted.

Actually, this is why online telemedicine service Jase Medical created the Jase Case , a travel pouch containing five life-saving medications – with a manual on how to use them to properly treat a wide variety of ailments, from pneumonia to animal bites to traveler’s diarrhea and beyond.

I’ll share more about the Jase Case, one of your most important healthy travel essentials, below.

Your Travel Safety Kit: Quick List

Before we discuss the travel safety products you’ll want to pack in-depth, here is a quick summary of the items:

• Jase Case (snag $10 off with code JESSIEONAJOURNEY10)
• Hand Sanitizer
• First Aid Kit
• Clever Travel Companion Pickpocket-Proof Garments
• Speakeasy Travel Supply Pickpocket-Proof Scarf ​​
• Pacsafe Anti-Theft Bag
• Neck Wallet
• She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm
• Fox Sonic Safety Whistle
• Glow Bracelets
• Garmin inReach Mini 2
• Emergency App
• SafetyWing Travel Insurance

On that note, let’s go over this list of safety items for travelers so that you truly understand why each is so important to have in your carry-on.

These are truly some of the best things for traveling and staying healthy and safe, and I highly recommend adding them to your packing list!

Best Travel Safety Items For Health

1. jase case.

The Jase Case was created by Jase Medical, a company founded by board certified physician Shawn Rowland, M.D.

Jase Medical is on a mission to help empower patients with the tools necessary to take action and care for themselves and their loved ones.

This is why they created the Jase Case, an Emergency Antibiotic Pack made and prescribed by doctors that contains:

• Amoxicillin-Clavulanate
• Azithromycin
• Ciprofloxacin
• Doxycycline
• Metronidazole

Plus, you can score $10 off with code JESSIEONAJOURNEY10.

Each customer goes through a consultation and antibiotics are prescribed directly to them by board certified physicians.

From there, you’ll receive a handy travel pouch containing your medications as well as an Emergency Antibiotic Guide sharing how to use the included medications to treat a wide variety of conditions.

I think most of us have experienced nausea, vomiting, sinusitis, and traveler’s diarrhea on the road, though the medications can also help with ailments related to bioterror, illness, sexually transmitted infections, and illness related to drinking contaminated water (just to name a few).

You can see a full list of treated conditions on their FAQ page .

And while the Jase Case is an important piece of travel safety gear, keep in mind it’s also helpful to have on hand at home, too. You truly never know when an issue will arise.

Honestly, there are so many personal stories I could share where a kit like this would have come in handy — like when I hiked Nepal’s Mohare Danda Trail .

I spent a week in Kathmandu and felt absolutely fine. It wasn’t until I was making my vertical ascent into the Annapurna Himalayas — hours away from any pharmacy or doctor — that I started to become majorly ill.

Vomiting my way through the woods and getting sick in squat toilets was not exactly fun, but the only “medications” I had were Tylenol, tiger balm, and tea. Let’s just say that after that experience, I’ll never be so unprepared again.

You can find full information on the Jase Case here . Use code JESSIEONAJOURNEY10 for $10 off your first Jase Case!

2. Face Mask

Due to the global situation of the past few years, face masks have become a regular part of our lives both at home and on the road to help keep us healthy and avoid catching viruses.

It can also help you maximize your itinerary.

Personally, before wearing a mask on planes, I would always get a sinus infection – which would leave me feeling sluggish on the first few days of a trip. Since wearing a mask, I haven’t had this issue.

Note that for a mask to be effective it should cover your nose and mouth.

Additionally, the CDC recommends both disposable and cloth masks as well as respirators. Specific recommendations vary by individual and location, and you can click here to read their full guide .

You can also click here to read the CDC’s recommendations for travel specifically.

3. Hand Sanitizer

While hand sanitizer is no substitution for washing your hands with soap and water, the CDC notes that when this option is not available, using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can help you avoid getting sick and spreading germs.

As a traveler, I can think of countless times on the road where I haven’t had access to a working sink – even in places where you’d think there should be one, like a roadside restaurant or restroom.

This makes hand sanitizer one of the smartest travel abroad accessories you can pack.

To use effectively, apply the recommended amount of sanitizer (check the label) to the palm of one hand and then rub it all over your skin until your hands are dry.

4. First Aid Kit

When it comes to essential travel safety items and accessories, a First Aid Kit is a smart addition to the list.

A few essentials to include in your kit:

• Antibacterial wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Pain reliever
• Thermometer
• Medical tape
• Medications ( which your Jase Case can supply !)

For a full list of First Aid Kit essentials, check out this list from the Cleveland Clinic .

Best Travel Safety Accessories To Avoid Pickpockets & Thieves

5. neck wallet.

Raise your hand if you love carrying a heavy purse when you explore a new city?

Hands fly down.

Me neither. Which is why I love this helpful travel safety gear item! A neck wallet stores my keys, cards, and cash in a lightweight travel wallet that is worn like a necklace that gets tucked into my shirt.

Think of it as a money belt, but with less sweat stains in hot destinations.

Bonus: If you like to work out or go jogging, you won’t need to carry your keys in your hands or awkwardly tie them to your shoelaces.

6. Pacsafe Anti-Theft Bags

When it comes to personal safety gear, one brand to get on your radar is Pacsafe – a leader in the world of travel safety products, particularly when it comes to anti-theft backpacks and bags.

They utilize a number of technologies in their gear, like cut resistant fabric, lockable zippers, RFIDsafeTM blocking materials (that keep your personal documents and credit cards from being scanned), and the ability to fasten your bag to a secure object.

Depending on what type of trip you’re going on, you can peruse their travel backpacks, day packs, camera bags, carry-on bags, handbags, wallets, wheeled luggage, and more.

The company also keeps sustainability in mind. Along with pledging to remove all virgin plastic from their supply chain by 2025, they donate 1% of every sale to turtle conservation projects.

If you’re looking for the safest travel backpack, definitely check out Pacsafe!

7. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

You really should never use the internet without a VPN, which hides your online activity. This is especially true when traveling and regularly using public WiFi.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where people are constantly trying to steal your identity and personal information, and a VPN helps to protect you from hackers and online prowlers by hiding your IP address, browsing activity, and personal data when using WiFi.

One highly-rated VPN is NordVPN , which has a number of powerful features – like their ​​Threat Protection, which makes your browsing experience safer and faster without tracking your actions online.

Even if you accidentally install malware or click a malicious link, the feature neutralizes cyber threats before they can do any real damage to your device or data.

8 . Clever Travel Companion Pickpocket-Proof Garments

I’ve written about these apparel pieces a lot over the years, and for good reason: they’re genius!

These pickpocket-proof garments are my favorite travel safety gear essentials, as they feature hidden interior pockets so crooks never know you have credit cards and cash. This keeps your valuables safe, while alleviating the need to carry a purse.

A few of my favorite Clever Travel Companion Garments include:

• The leggings featuring two secret pockets
• The boyshort underwear with two secret pockets (so comfortable!)
• The unisex tank top with hidden front pocket (I often wear this as an undershirt)
• The unisex striped long johns with two secret pockets (love these if I’m traveling somewhere cold)
• Striped t-shirt dress with zipper pockets (so stylish I’d wear it even if it wasn’t an essential piece of travel safety gear)

All of the above-mentioned garments take up almost no space, making it easy to have a travel safety plan while flying with only carry-on luggage.

Combine them with the Jase Case from Jase Medical for maximum health and safety protection on the road.

9. Speakeasy Travel Supply Hidden-Pocket Scarves

Can you tell I love safety travel gear with hidden pockets?

Speakeasy Travel Supply Co was started by fellow travel bloggers from Beers & Beans, based on their own travel safety needs.

These hand-made scarves come in a wide-variety of patterns, with styles made for all seasons (so yes, you can totally find a hidden pocket scarf to wear in Thailand !).

But the beauty isn’t just in the style, as the hidden pouches on these scarves offer a place to secretly store you valuables.

Best Personal Travel Safety Gear

10. door stop.

There are many important things to carry while traveling abroad, and a door stop is one of them.

The scary truth:

Like your apartment, your hotel room can be robbed. Or worse.

A rubber door stop is a good travel safety item to bring that can add an extra layer of protection to your guestroom.

Along with a simple rubber door stop, you might consider purchasing one with a security alarm – like this door stop that includes a 120db alarm .

This way, if someone tries to break into your hotel room, you’ll be awoken before they have a chance to get in.

11. She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm

A personal safety alarm should be at the top of any list of safety items for travelers, as it includes a loud siren that you can set off when needed.

Attackers — both humans as well as animals like bears — will get scared and run off. This means you should also wear the alarm whether you’re wandering a city or hiking in the woods.

While there are many brands to choose from, She’s Birdie alarms are made for women by women (though they are also great for male travelers).

They offer two powerful travel security products, both of which can be worn as a keychain:

The Original Birdie, which features a 130db alarm and flashing strobe light designed to deter an attack, and the Birdie+, which also includes 24/7 live support.

Feel good knowing that a percentage of your purchase get donated to organizations supporting women’s safety, shelter, and health.

This is truly a piece of travel security gear you shouldn’t leave home without, whether you’re exploring another country or your own neighborhood.

12. Safety Whistle

This is another powerful piece of travel safety gear that scares using loud sound.

I’ve been wearing my Fox Sonic Safety Whistle for years. It especially makes me feel safer when hiking solo , as I’ve had issues with angry dogs chasing me on trails in the past.

As with the personal alarm, this safety whistle can scare away both humans and animals.

13. Glow Bracelets

If you’re like me and enjoy cycling while traveling , it’s important that when riding at night you’re visible to cars.

While a helmet, bike lights, and bright clothing are also important pieces of bike safety gear, I like glow bracelets and glow vests to make sure I’m definitely seen.

And hey, if you’ve got a rave to go to they can act as a funky accessory, as well!

14. Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)

One of my top solo hiking tips – which is also smart advice for anyone going on a remote adventure in general – is to carry a personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger, like the popular Garmin inReach Mini 2 .

Having one of these is key if you’ll be in a remote area, as both of these tools can help you send SOS messages when it danger.

Just make sure to check the coverage map for the device(s) you’re considering to make sure your specific trail is covered.

You can check this guide for additional help with choosing a PLB or satellite messenger.

Best Travel Safety Essentials To Be Ready For Anything

15.  emergency app (free; ios & android).

Developed by the American Red Cross, this all-inclusive app serves as a go-to resource for what travelers can do in the case of 14 different types of emergencies and disasters within the U.S.

Users can customize more than 35 emergency alerts based on their location and where their contacts live.

The Emergency App also contains a kit of emergency first aid info advising on everything from heart attacks to heat stroke. It’s truly one of the top travel safety apps you can download!

16. Airalo eSIM

No list of travel safety equipment would be complete without discussing gear for staying connected – which Airalo can help you do.

Airalo is a global eSIM company that lets you access the internet from almost anywhere, at any time. I’ve used it on multiple trips, including in remote Mongolia , and it’s exceeded my expectations.

Sure, you can usually buy a local SIM Card, which may or may not work. And there is public WiFi, which may or may not be available. But, Airalo offers a better solution.

Airalo helps ensure you’re never without a connection, which is vital when traveling in a place you’re unfamiliar with.

Not only does having a connection mean you can always look up directions and things to do, but it also allows you to keep loved ones up-to-date on your whereabouts or call for help if needed.

Plus, being connected is important for getting out of sticky situations. For instance, as a solo female traveler who goes on numerous road trips each year, it’s imperative I have a working phone in the car at all times.

Airalo provides service in over 200+ countries and regions. They offer an array of data plans based on your destination, the length of your trip, and how much data you’ll want to use. You’ll receive notifications if you begin running low on data, and you can quickly and easily top up your eSIM online.

17. SafetyWing Travel Insurance

Of course, no safety packing guide would be complete without mentioning travel insurance – an absolute travel essential!

While you hope everything runs smoothly, sometimes travel just doesn’t go according to plan. This is why I recommend always purchasing travel medical insurance .

The scary truth is it only takes one bad accident to lose everything — or be thankful you were covered.

Personally, I use SafetyWing , as they’ve got a large network, offer both short-term and long-term coverage (including limited coverage in your home country), are budget-friendly, and offer $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

Travel Safety Gear For Every Situation

I hope you found this list of travel safety items valuable.

Remember, it’s important to consider all aspects of travel safety when choosing what to pack.

Of course, personal safety is important, but you shouldn’t forget things like online security and travel health, too.

And when it comes to travel health, remember that the Jase Case can help protect you from a wide variety of ailments and illnesses that can ruin your trip – and even put your life in danger – if you’re not prepared.

Again, this isn’t meant to scare you, but to empower you to have a plan for anything that might threaten your health and safety on the road.

Bonus: Score $10 off your first Jase Case with code JESSIEONAJOURNEY10 .

What travel safety gear items would you add to this list?

Enjoyed this post on travel safety essentials ? Don’t forget to pin it for later!

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14 Comments

What do you do with your passport and money when you go swimming?

@April: I rarely take my passport out of the hotel room. I carry copies of it in case. You can use a waterproof money holder though if you are concerned.

Thanks for sharing! I never even thought of some of these things. A door stop….brilliant!!! Happy Journeys and keep sharing your tips!

@Wendy: Thank you! 🙂

I usually carry a flashlight, especially when traveling overseas. Many of the streets/trails/routes going to/from places are not well lit (if at all) at night.

Very nice blog.

@Dave: Thank you for the kind words. And great suggestion!

I always carry a compass, which can be VERY helpful in cities,

I carry a DoorJammer with me when I travel. It’s like a secondary door lock and bit more durable and secure than a rubber doorstop. Love the Clever Travel clothes, such a good idea! Will definitely have to get some.

What a world we live in, when you can stick a sticker on your SIM card and not have to pay roaming charges! It’s kind of hilarious that it has a huge warning on Amazon though – CHOKING HAZARD!

Been traveling with one of Northface backpacks for a while but it was only till recently when I discovered there was actually a built in whistle in it! I honestly didn’t know what it was. There was a dusty hole because I’ve been using it for traveling. And then I wanted to clean it up so I blew through the hole, and viola! It was an actual safety whistle!!! Made me the happiest!! I love secret gears! 🙂

Aah I love the neck wallet! That is actually really cute lol

I like to carry a small and slim fanny pack that is also great for putting my phone in while going for runs. I’ll be getting one of those door jammer things when I’m in mexico for a month!

i need that belt for my everyday life

Great thanks for sharing!

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MY WANDERLUSTY LIFE

#TimeBudgetTravel

Must-Have Travel Safety Items: 17 Essentials for Your Travel Safety Kit

Last Updated: June 27, 2023 //  by  Ashley Smith Leave a Comment

Take a look at any of my pre-trip packing checklists and you’ll see half the things on there are travel safety items. I may be an adventurer, a thrill-seeker, and even a daredevil at times, but that doesn’t mean I’m not also a hyper-paranoid hypochondriac.

Was I like this before I got robbed while traveling solo ? It’s hard to say. The “safety” side of my travel plan is so deeply engrained it’s just part of my DNA at this point.

Whether or not something unsavory has ever happened to you on the road, it’s important to know that the possibility is always there. I’m not here to scare you out of seeing the world, I’m just here to keep it real. Danger lurks, y’all. Danger lurks.

Table of Contents

Travel safety kit

To avoid ever having to cry my way through an Italian train station again (et al), I now travel with a full-on travel safety kit—an arsenal of products (and mindsets) I utilize to keep myself healthy, safe, and in total control.

I recommend putting together a travel safety kit of your own because traveling the world is so much better when you can do it stress-free and with absolute peace of mind. Start here with the 18 travel safety items I take on every single trip.

Travel safety items for hotels & hostels

I always follow my gut, read reviews religiously, and make an extra effort to always and exclusively stay in hotels and neighborhoods that I deem safe. However, since I am often a solo female traveler staying in hotels by myself in foreign countries, the more security I can get, the better. 

1. Door stop alarm

One big must on my list of travel safety items is a door stop alarm . These act as both warning alarms and door stops to keep someone from entering your hotel room while you sleep, shower, whatever.

Simply slip it under your hotel room door then flip the switch to ON. If someone tries to sneak in, the alarm will activate and it is loud as Hell . You’ll wake up and the perp, hopefully, will run for their life.

Also, because of its wedge shape there’s a good chance they won’t be able to make it into the room anyway. Sure, a normal door stop would solve this problem, but if someone is trying to sneak into my room, I want the whole entire city block to know it. I definitely sleep a lot better knowing my room is alarmed and barricaded. 

Pro tip: Remove the battery from the alarm when packing it just in case it gets activated. We don’t want to reroute any flights, mmkay?

Get your door stop alarm here

2. Portable safe

Brought to us by the Pacsafe brand (which you’ll see a lot more of in this post) is this portable travel safe . This is a totally secure, theft-proof bag with a combination lock. You can fit a good amount of your valuables in it, then lock it around your hotel sink, the pipes, the bed, anything.

Many hotel rooms do come with safes but rarely anything bigger than your wallet can fit in there. What about your iPad? Or camera equipment? Plus, I literally have experienced an electronic hotel safe dying after I put my camera, phone, wallet, and passport inside at a beach cabana in Belize after hours. Do you know what that kind of panic attack feels like?

This Pacsafe portable safe means you get to lock up all your goods while still being in total control.

Get your portable safe here

Travel safety items for public safety

In a highly official polling of my Instagram followers, 38% of them say they have been a victim of a crime while traveling. Many of the stories involve what has been unfairly designated “petty theft” (though there’s nothing petty about getting your passport or laptop or wallet stolen while in a foreign country).

I know firsthand what a literal gut-wrenching nightmare this is and have vowed to never let it happen again. Everything I carry on my trips locks, zips, snaps, clips, and/or is, as we’ve seen is this post, booby-trapped.

3. Anti-theft bags

Have I ever been pick-pocketed in the literal sense? Thankfully, no. But that’s not for thieves’ lack of trying. I can guarantee there is no one else on earth more hyper-aware of her belongings when she travels, more purse-paranoid or suitcase suspicious. You will never, ever see me with an open-top bag or a purse that doesn’t latch shut.

Thankfully, there are companies like Pacsafe and Travelon who totally feel me! I’m obsessed with all their products and I outright refuse to travel with anything else. They have purses and bags of all sizes, shapes, and designs. (Even camera bags!)

Their bags have securable zippers that would be difficult to open for someone trying to rob you, and they’re made of cut-resistant materials . (People cutting bags and cameras off you with machetes or hedge clippers is something I’ve been warned about, specifically in Barcelona, pick-pocketing capital of Europe apparently.)

They have RFID pockets for the safety of your passport and credit cards, and padded laptop sleeves inside. These bags also have arm straps that can be clipped (and locked) around a chair leg or pole or anything immovable to prevent theft of the whole bag.

I feel so much safer using these bags when I’m in crowded train stations or on a busy street or standing in a line. This way, I can worry about other things like getting on the wrong train or what life is going to be like having never tried Turkish delight. Here are the particular ones I use…

4. Anti-theft carry-on backpack

For a carry-on backpack I use the Pacsafe Venturesafe 15L GII Anti-Theft Daypack . It’s on the smaller size but they have bigger sizes depending on your needs. (I’m also a small girl so I wanted one that would also be comfortable to wear. I tried four other versions before I found this one. It even says in the description, “Great gift for her!”)

This bag holds everything I need for a trip and has a bunch of pockets and pouches. I also love the solid black design—some other ones have the brand name on them and visible locks which just screams, “I have valuable stuff inside and I’m totally paranoid by the way, come get me!”

Get your Pacsafe backpack here

5. Theft-proof backpack purse

I’m usually not one to wear a backpack when I’m out exploring because I’m super paranoid about pick-pocketing as we’ve discussed, but I feel so much better about it with my Travelon Anti-Theft Signature Slim Backpack .

Like the name says, it’s slim and simple. It’s great for holding exactly what you need—phone, wallet, keys, a jacket, sunglasses, whatever—without being super bulky. Also, it’s made with securable zippers, water-resistant and slash-resistant material, slash-proof straps, RFID blocking organizer, and a lock-down strap. It’s basically Fort Knox in a cute “feminine style with incredible inner strength.”

It has a key clip inside so you never have to dig for your keys and a little LED flashlight. Also, there’s a quick-access pocket on the front that’s perfect for the bottle of hand sanitizer you need every ten minutes.

Get your anti-theft backpack purse here

6. Anti-theft purse

For the times I don’t want to use a backpack, I always wear a cross-body bag with various safety features. Cute, but conscious. This always includes securable zippers, flaps that latch, straps I can lock-down to my chair, etc. Honestly, you’re sacrificing nothing by using a theft-proof purse–there’s no good reason to not use one.

Travelon has so many cute theft-proof purses that don’t go overboard looking all “safe.” These purses also have RFID-blocking pockets and slash-proof material and are available in a ton of styles.

Personally, I’m a fan of the Anti-Theft Courier Saddle Bag and the Anti-Theft Heritage Crossbody bag and I won’t travel with a “normal” purse ever again.

Shop all anti-theft purses here

Travel safety items for luggage

While it would be nice to simply trust the people who handle our bags, we all know that’s not the case. But we can do a few things to tip the odds in our favor.

7. Luggage that locks

Everything in my life locks, can you tell? Including my luggage. Especially my luggage.

I don’t always check a bag, but I quite often do. And I always travel with hard shell luggage that locks. The best part is that most luggage locks are now TSA compliant—so, the TSA can still get in your bag if they need to, but deadbeat thieves cannot.

(That’s not to say an airline employee won’t swipe your stuff, so always keep the really valuable stuff with you.)

I personally travel with Away luggage and, though a bit pricey, I have no regrets. Their suitcases have an excellent locking system, are lightweight but sturdy, and help me keep my stuff organized.

Shop all Away luggage here

8. Bag locks

If you have a great piece of old luggage you love and aren’t ready to replace, I highly recommend a small set of locks for the zippers.

These, too, are now TSA compliant and are super affordable. I use these whenever I have to check a bag that doesn’t lock (like a hiking backpack or other) and for locking my carry-on bag in my hotel room. These can also be used for a ton of other scenarios!

Pick up some bag locks here

Travel safety items for personal safety

It’s one thing to secure your items… but it’s another to secure yourself. I care a lot about the things I bring on my trips, but in the end they are just THINGS. The most important thing you need to protect is yourself.

9. Birdie personal safety alarm

Just about any time I’ve ever out by myself (whether it be traveling around Europe or getting groceries in my town), I always have my Birdie personal alarm .

The idea of the Birdie is that should someone try to attack you (or whatever) you can activate the incredibly loud alarm (with flashing lights) to draw attention to yourself and what’s happening and hopefully scare the perp away.

I shopped a bunch of different kinds of personal alarms before I bought the Birdie and I really liked this one the best. The design and activation method made more sense than the others and I like the oval-shaped hook it comes on.

I like the Birdie over, say, pepper spray because it’s something you can safely and legally travel with. Pepper spray carries with it a lot of potential issues and even the possibility of spraying yourself. Let’s not help out the criminals, ok?

Get your Birdie personal safety alarm here

10. Safety whistle

While the Birdie alarm works best for everyday scenarios, there are certain times when you’ll need a safety whistle . For instance, while hiking.

If you find yourself lost or in a bind while hiking, a safety whistle is a must – but you have to know how to use it. While an alarm like the Birdie will certainly help people locate you, blowing on a safety whistle in three sharp blasts is the universal sign for I NEED HELP!

Don’t ever enter the wilderness without a safety whistle – just go ahead and keep it clipped to your backpack.

Get yourself a safety whistle here

Travel safety items for health and wellness

Now more than ever we are all concerned with our personal health while traveling. As someone who routinely gets sick on just about every international trip I take, I fully understand the importance here.

Now that the stakes are higher than ever, make sure to have these essential health-related travel safety items in your travel safety kit:

11. Disposable face masks

As a world traveler, it’s never been uncommon to see people on planes and in airports wearing face masks, I was just never among them. Now, I don’t foresee a trip anytime in the future where I won’t be masked up on an airplane. People are gross.

Our “recent situation” or not, I can think of at least a handful of occasions when wearing a mask while traveling would have saved me a ton of stress. I get sick while traveling a great deal so wearing a face mask on planes, on buses, on trains, and just about everywhere else I’m in contact with other humans is officially my new normal.

Many European countries (and others) still require you to wear KN95 masks or the equivalent in many places including on public transportation. Be sure to pack as many of these as you think you’ll need. I prefer the ones in pretty colors, naturally.

Get your face masks for travel here

PSA: The mask goes over your nose.

12. Thermometer

And I’m not even referring to the Covid-impulse to take our temperature every time someone coughs in our direction.

I have a small, simple thermometer I bring with me on all trips… now. It’s nothing fancy, but hella useful. I somehow have gotten myself into a handle of foreign illnesses where I did not have, yet desperately needed, a thermometer.

I even had to be visited by an emergency doctor in the middle of the night, in the middle of the jungle in Costa Rica, who did not have a thermometer (of all things) in his black medical bag. This isn’t totally shocking once I tell you he also didn’t know how to take my blood pressure but sure as heck tried anyway.

I’ve since started packing a thermometer for all my trips—it’s such a simple, small, lightweight thing to bring that can be seriously helpful.

Get your travel thermometer here

13. First aid kit

Regardless of what your planned activities are, there’s a good chance you’ll need a first aid kit amongst your travel safety items.

As prone to being taken down by foreign germs as I am, I’ve seen the inside of my fair share of foreign pharmacies. (Shout out to my favorites: Germany and Taiwan!) However, that doesn’t mean I always want to make the extra trip.

You should always consider bringing: band-aids and antibiotic ointment, tweezers, gauze, alcohol wipes, moleskin for blisters, disposable gloves, safety pins, and more.

I personally have put together my own first aid kit that I just toss in my bag every time, but if your house isn’t already stocked with this stuff (seriously, what it is like to not embody Steve Urkel?) you can pick up totally stocked travel-sized first aid kits .

Keep in mind that if you’re headed out on adventure of the mountainous sort or otherwise, what you need in your first aid kit will be a little bit more. In that case, you’ll need something more along the lines of this 299-piece first aid kit , complete with an aluminized rescue blanket, cold packs, and more (but still travel-sized).

14. Medications and prescriptions

Obviously if you’re taking prescription medication you should bring that, but you should also carry a copy of your prescription as well. Not only is it mandatory in many places for many different drugs, it can also help get a replacement in case you run out or your luggage gets lost, etc.

And I’m not just referring to pills and the like. Let me tell you about the time I got my backpack, which contained my eyeglasses, stolen. I was legally blind at the time and living in Italy—fun times!

I had to get a replacement pair of glasses ASAP and trying to get my prescription from my doctor in the U.S. to an optometrist in Italy was such a pain in the ass. It wasn’t impossible, but man was that a hassle. I softened the blow with some new Dolce & Gabbanas.

Luckily, I didn’t have any medically necessary prescription drugs in my bag or that “petty theft” could’ve been potentially fatal.

A note on Epipens

If you suffer from allergies, be it food or otherwise, consider bringing an Epipen on your trip. Even if they’re mild, chances are what you encounter in a new country will be new to your body. You may breathe in plants you’ve never been exposed to or eat foods containing any number of mystery ingredients. Be sure to discuss your upcoming travels with your allergist.

15. Over the counter drugs

In addition to your prescription drugs, don’t forget to bring the OTC drugs necessary for your destination. Things like:

• Anti-diarrheal meds for places like Mexico and India where, we’ll call it gastrointestinal distress, is common
• Ibuprofen for high-altitude destinations like Peru and Mexico City (read about my experience with altitude sickness here)
• OTC allergy medications for places like Tuscany in the summer where hay rules all
• Anti-nausea drugs and/or patches if you’re prone to motion sickness. I used to be, critically, but I’m not anymore. Read about how I cured my motion sickness permanently here!
• Whatever else keeps you going

16. List of allergies

Speaking of allergies, if you suffer from food allergies (guilty!), medicinal allergies, or really anything, definitely carry a list of what you’re allergic to… in the language of your destination.

If you suffer from food allergies and don’t speak [insert language here], you can show your list to a restaurant server, a street vendor, anyone really, to make sure they don’t sell you something that can kill you.

I showed my list to the woman working at the Turkish delight shop in Istanbul who basically shoved me out of the store after reading I was allergic to almonds.

Not only does this help in those instances, but it also shows you what words you need to avoid. For instance, “almonds” looks very different in: Germany ( mandeln ), Italy ( mandorle ), Mexico ( almendras ), Turksih ( bodem ), etc.

17. Travel insurance

You’ve probably heard me talk about travel insurance a million times, but it’s for good reason. Travel insurance, for me, has proven to be inexpensive yet absolutely priceless!

Though travel insurance can potentially save you tons of money on lost or stolen luggage, flight delays, canceled trips, and more, it can also play a vital role in case of a medical emergency.

• Check out this post on how much I got reimbursed after getting robbed in Italy.
• Then check out this post on my medical emergency in Costa Rica
• and this one for how travel insurance saved my friend’s life when her appendix burst in a remote village in Thailand

I’ve also used it for canceled flights and canceled trips. Hopefully you’ll never have to use it, but I find the peace of mind of just having it is worth whatever it costs.

Are there any travel safety items you always use? Let me know below!

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About Ashley Smith

Ashley is a historian and Oktoberfest expert & tour guide. She has traveled to 32 countries and specializes in quick trips throughout Europe and the Americas that prioritize hiking adventures, museums of all kinds, cultural experiences, and jam-packed itineraries. She hails from Memphis, TN and currently lives in Boston with her husband and two feline sidekicks.

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Travel health kit checklist

Basic first aid items:.

• Adhesive bandages
• Adhesive tape
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Antiseptic wound cleanser
• Blister pads or moleskin
• Disposable latex or vinyl gloves
• Packets of oral rehydration salts
• Safety pins and scissors
• Tensor bandages
• Thermometer

Other items:

• Insect repellent (containing DEET or Icaridin)
• Extra pair of glasses or contacts (or copy of prescription)
• Mosquito net
• Saline eye drops
• Water purification filter or tablets

Medications:

• If recommended, destination-specific medication
• Any prescription or over-the-counter drugs normally used at home
• 1% hydrocortisone cream
• Allergy medication
• Antibacterial and antifungal spray/cream
• Anti-diarrheal medication
• Anti-motion sickness medication
• Cold and flu medication
• Pain and fever medication
• Syringes or needles for medical use (if needed)

Contact card:

• Name, address and phone number of a family member or friend in Canada
• Name and phone number of your health care provider in Canada
• Address and phone number of your accommodations at your destination(s)
• Address and phone number of hospitals or clinics at your destination(s)
• Address and phone number of the Canadian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission office in your destination country/countries (and Emergency Contact Card)
• Emergency contact phone number from your travel health insurance provider
• Proof of your insurance coverage
• Copy of your immunization record
• International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis , if required

Food & Water Safety Travel Kit

Mosquito prevention & outdoor care travel kit, ranger ready insect repellent with 20% picaridin mist spray bottle, travel medicine & first aid travel kit, ranger ready permethrin trigger spray - 710ml, 24.0oz. - scent zero.

CDC updates Covid isolation guidelines for people who test positive

People who test positive for Covid no longer need to isolate for five days , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

The CDC’s new guidance now matches public health advice for flu and other respiratory illnesses: Stay home when you’re sick, but return to school or work once you’re feeling better and you’ve been without a fever for 24 hours.

The shift reflects sustained decreases in the most severe outcomes of Covid since the beginning of the pandemic, as well as a recognition that many people aren’t testing themselves for Covid anyway.

“Folks often don’t know what virus they have when they first get sick, so this will help them know what to do, regardless,” CDC director Dr. Mandy Cohen said during a media briefing Friday.

Over the past couple of years, weekly hospital admissions for Covid have fallen by more than 75%, and deaths have decreased by more than 90%, Cohen said.

“To put that differently, in 2021, Covid was the third leading cause of death in the United States. Last year, it was the 10th,” Dr. Brendan Jackson, head of respiratory virus response within the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said during the briefing.

Many doctors have been urging the CDC to lift isolation guidance for months, saying it did little to stop the spread of Covid.

The experiences of California and Oregon , which previously lifted their Covid isolation guidelines, proved that to be true.

“Recent data indicate that California and Oregon, where isolation guidance looks more like CDC’s updated recommendations, are not experiencing higher Covid-19 emergency department visits or hospitalizations,” Jackson said.

Changing the Covid isolation to mirror what’s recommended for flu and other respiratory illnesses makes sense to Dr. David Margolius, the public health director for the city of Cleveland.

“We’ve gotten to the point where we are suffering from flu at a higher rate than Covid,” he said. “What this guidance will do is help to reinforce that— regardless of what contagious respiratory viral infection you have — stay home when you’re sick, come back when you’re better.”

Dr. Kristin Englund, an infectious diseases expert at the Cleveland Clinic, said the new guidance would be beneficial in curbing the spread of all respiratory viruses.

“I think this is going to help us in the coming years to make sure that our numbers of influenza and RSV cases can also be cut down, not just Covid,” she said.

Latest news on Covid

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Still, the decision was likely to draw criticism from some clinicians who point to the fact that the U.S. logged 17,310 new Covid hospitalizations in the past week alone.

“It’s something that is likely to draw a wide array of opinions and perhaps even conflicting opinions,” said Dr. Faisal Khan, Seattle’s director of public health. “But [the CDC’s] rationale is sound in that the pandemic is now in a very different phase from where it was in 2021 or 2022 or 2023.”

Though the isolation guidelines have been wiped away, the CDC still encourages people to play it safe for five days after they are feeling better. That includes masking around vulnerable people and opening windows to improve the flow of fresh air indoors.

The majority of viral spread happens when people are the sickest. “As the days go on, less virus spreads,” Cohen said.

People at higher risk for severe Covid complications, such as the elderly, people with weak immune systems and pregnant women, may need to take additional precautions.

Dr. Katie Passaretti, chief epidemiologist at Atrium Health in Charlotte, said it was a “move in the positive direction.”

“We are continuing to edge into what the world looks like after Covid, with Covid being one of many respiratory viruses that are certain that circulate,” she said.

The new guidance is for the general public only, and does not include isolation guidelines in hospital settings, which is generally 10 days.

On Wednesday, the agency said that adults 65 and older should get a booster shot of the Covid vaccine this spring. It’s anticipated that the nation will experience an uptick in the illness later this summer.

Winter and summer waves of Covid have emerged over the past four years, with cases peaking in January and August, respectively, according to the  CDC .

Another, reformulated, shot is expected to be available and recommended this fall.

CDC’s main tips for reducing Covid spread:

• Get the Covid vaccine whenever it is available. Cohen said that 95% of people who were hospitalized with Covid this past winter had not received the latest vaccine.
• Cover coughs and sneezes, and wash hands frequently.
• Increase ventilation by opening windows, using air purifiers and gathering outside when possible.

Erika Edwards is a health and medical news writer and reporter for NBC News and "TODAY."

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See the full list of  Travel Health Notices , including:

Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions

• Updated   Diphtheria in Guinea March 20, 2024
• Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo February 16, 2024
• Diphtheria in Nigeria February 16, 2024

Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions

• Updated   Global Measles March 22, 2024
• Western Equine Encephalitis Virus in South America March 14, 2024
• Dengue in the Americas February 28, 2024

There are no Warning , Alert, Watch, COVID-19 Very High, COVID-19 High, COVID-19 Moderate, COVID-19 Low, COVID-19 Unknown, Level 4, or Level 3 notices currently in effect.

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Pyramid Wholesale Issues Recall of Various Brands of Products Sold as Dietary Supplements for Sexual Enhancement Because They Contain Undeclared Prescription Drugs Including Sildenafil (Viagra) and/or Tadalafil (Cialis)

COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT

When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company's announcement as a public service. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Company Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 19, 2024, Los Angeles, CA – Pyramid Wholesale is issuing a recall of various brands of products sold as dietary supplements for sexual enhancement because they contain undeclared prescription drugs including Sildenafil (Viagra) and/or Tadalafil (Cialis).

These products have the potential to cause severe adverse health effects due to misuse, overuse, interaction with other medications, underlying health conditions, and overall lack of oversight or consultation with medical professionals

The products were distributed under 11 different brand names and varied in product form and size. They were sold in bulk to other distributors and retailers in California and out of state. A full list is available below.

There have been no reports of injury or illness, to date.

Consumers should immediately discontinue use of the product.

Should you require further assistance or have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Gamil Girges at (562) 674-8725. Office hours: 9:00 AM To 5:00 PM

Pyramid Wholesale values the safety and well-being of our consumers. We deeply regret any worry or inconvenience this recall may have caused.

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Traveler's Cocktail Kit - Moscow Mule

• Each kit contains TSA compliant tools and ingredients to make 2 Old Fashioned cocktails mid-flight.
• Kit components: carry on tin, recipe card, Spoon/Muddler, 1/2 oz jigger, ginger syrup, linen coaster
• Neatly packed in a travel tin.
• Designed to be used alongside spirits from airline Beverage cart.
• Alcohol not included.

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