Advice
Six must-carry travel items
(Okay, maybe seven)
A few years back, my friend Linda had me lug a blender for her to Honolulu so she could serve margaritas following our marathon there. I thought this was beyond what any normal person should be required to haul aboard an airplane, but I complied because the thought of a cool, frothy beverage following a long, hot run sounded sort of appealing—and, oh yeah, I was staying in her condo.
Since then, I’ve discovered that lots of travelers pack lots of out-of-the-ordinary things in their luggage. For instance, Martha Karson, the proprietor of Martha’s Vineyard West B&B in McMinnville, Ore., carries an all-purpose mixing bowl because, according to her, “You just never know when you’re going to have to whip something up.” Janet and Robin Craig, who own Kids’ Farm day-care centers in Maryland, carry a complete martini kit (glasses, shaker, vodka, olives—even toothpicks). And my brother carries an adjustable wrench to remove (and later replace) the water restrictors he encounters in hotel showers.
Whether you consider such items essential to travel is a matter of personal perspective, but there is some gear every traveler should carry. A half dozen personal safety and fire survival items can keep you from becoming the victim of criminal violence, including an all-too-common killer: arson. A safety/survival kit is easy to assemble and you can store it with your luggage so you will always have it when you travel. Your kit should include the following:
1. Flashlight
A small flashlight can illuminate dark places where criminals could be lurking; it can be used to inspect the inside of a parked vehicle; it may be your only source of light in a hotel fire; and it can be used to identify others around you and help you get to safety during blackouts, which are common in many parts of the world.
2. Smoke detector
Although you will probably be staying in a hotel or motel which has smoke and fire detectors, a portable smoke detector can add a margin of safety.
3. Smoke hood
A quality smoke hood will provide you with a limited supply of breathable air and keep smoke from burning your eyes so that you can see better when making an escape from a fire.
4. Duct tape
Duct tape can be used to seal your hotel room against the intrusion of smoke, the real killer in building fires.
5. Door lock
Carrying a portable door lock will assure that you can secure your guest room door regardless of the integrity of the installed lock(s). An inexpensive rubber doorstop can substitute for a portable door lock and is easy to carry and easy to deploy.
6. Cell phone
A cell phone can provide instant access to someone who can send aid. Whether you are on the street, in a vehicle, on public transportation, or in your hotel room, you are only a few button presses away from summoning assistance. It is as much a safety necessity for the business traveler as it is a convenience.
Travelers do bring along some unusual items of questionable use, but these six items should accompany you on every trip. OK, maybe seven items if you include the Craigs’ martini kit.
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