Spring Break Safety Tips Published March 11, 2015 By Staff Reports 366th Public Health Flight MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- With spring break fast-approaching, the Mountain Home AFB Public Health office would like to provide a few helpful safety tips before Airmen and their families depart for vacation. Following these simple suggestions will help keep families happy, safe and healthy on their time off. Spring break often involves family gatherings full of wonderful-tasting foods. Don't let a vacation take a turn for the worse by eating or serving unsafe foods. Wash hands with soap and warm water for twenty seconds before and after preparing food. Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, and their juices separate from fruits, vegetables and previously prepared foods. Cook food to an appropriate internal temperature and refrigerate food quickly after serving. While food-borne illnesses are serious, nothing ruins a trip quite like a nasty virus. Vaccinations are especially important when traveling, and they may prevent travelers from getting sick. Stay current on routine vaccinations and find out if additional vaccines are needed. When venturing outside of the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a great resource to find out which vaccines are needed when traveling to different countries. Visit their Travelers' Health website at http://wwwc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.aspx. Vaccines are given on a walk-in basis during normal business hours at the MHAFB Immunization Clinic. The Immunization Clinic is open Monday - Thursday, from 7:30-11:45 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m., and Friday mornings from 7:30 to 11:45 a.m. Please call the Immunizations Clinic at 828-7260 for any questions. Sometimes even simple preparations can make a substantial difference in staying safe. Dressing appropriately for weather conditions will help protect travelers from harsh - and sometimes dangerous - conditions. Make sure to have adequate clothing available, and dress in layers if in an area with extreme temperature changes. When spending a prolonged period in the sun, be sure to use sunscreen to prevent burns. Idaho is known to unseasonably warm; however, other areas may still be prone to winter temperatures. Take precautions by watching the weather and pack appropriately. Travelers should always check for travel warnings issued by countries or states during certain weather conditions. Travel warnings are issued when conditions make a country dangerous or unstable. They're also issued when the U.S. government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of staff. Before traveling outside of the country, visit the U.S. State Department website at http://travel.state.gov/ to review information on the country you are traveling to. Even its not listed, it is still important to have situational awareness. Keep the phone number and address of the nearest U.S. embassy with you. They may be able to assist if you run into safety or legal issues. It's also important to make sure to get plenty of rest before taking trips. Take numerous breaks if traveling on a long-distance trip. Avoid texting or talking on the phone while driving. Use of cell phones is a major cause of automobile accidents. If you need to use a phone, pull over to a rest area, let a passenger answer the phone, or use a hands-free device. Excessive speed is another major cause of automobile accidents. Know and obey the established speed limits within your travel area. Also, remember that you may need to drive slower than the speed limit depending on weather and traffic conditions. Adding alcohol to the mix is even more dangerous. It's understandable: having a few drinks lightens the mood, but remember, it is illegal to drive in Idaho if your blood alcohol level is .08 per mL or higher. These laws are in place to keep all travelers safe, therefore you should never drink and drive. Even if you are not driving, remember that alcohol can impair your ability to make decisions. Drink responsibly by knowing your personal limit. While having a wingman or backup plan is advisable, it should not be used as an excuse to drink too much. Remember to have fun, but understand without taking the proper precautions; a good time can turn bad very quickly. For additional information including illness prevention tips, contact the Public Health office at DSN 728-7280.