Avoid These Common Travel Mistakes in a Heat Wave

Record-setting heatwaves have been making headlines this summer and are likely to continue in the coming weeks. That means those with upcoming travel plans should be extra sure to pay attention and take proper precautions.

“Enjoying the sun is all part of going on vacation, especially if you live in a country where good weather is a rare occurrence, but the temperatures some popular tourist destinations are experiencing are extremely dangerous, and many people won’t have dealt with temperatures like this before,” said Navin Khosla, a pharmacist at telehealth and online pharmacy company Now Patient.

Indeed, extreme temperatures pose serious health risks, so it’s always best to prepare for and plan your itinerary around the heat.

“As someone who lives year-round in Phoenix, the biggest mistake people make is underestimating the power of the sun,” said Melissa Yeager, the senior news editor at Lonely Planet. “You may step outside and think, ‘Oh, this isn’t so bad.’ But, the heat can really creep up on you, especially if you are spending a lot of time outdoors and you haven’t prepared.”

HuffPost asked experts to share the biggest mistakes people make when traveling during a heat wave and their advice for staying safe, healthy and happy on vacation.

“Remember to drink a lot of water,” Yeager said. “Start your day with a glass of water. Bring a bottle with you. Try to avoid dehydrating beverages like alcohol. If you do have poolside cocktails, make sure you’re also drinking more water to compensate. If you are doing outdoor activities ― whether it is walking, hiking or biking ― plot out places to refill water along the way.”

Her rule of thumb is to refill once you get halfway through your water. And if there’s no water available on the trail, turn back once you’re halfway through your water supply to ensure you don’t run out.

In addition to drinking lots of water and avoiding dehydrating beverages like alcohol and coffee, you might want to consider extra hydration boosters and electrolytes.

“Water alone might not be enough when facing the extreme temperatures of a heat wave ― you also need to replace the electrolytes that you’re losing,” said Justin Chapman, a travel expert at the tour company Go2Africa. “Without minerals like sodium, potassium and magnesium that deliver hydration to your cells, your body can’t absorb the proper hydration that it needs. The electrolytes can regulate…