Everyone loves (and needs) a good vacation every now and again. Getting out of town and exploring new areas is good for the soul. But the actual traveling part can be extremely stressful and uncomfortable. A lot of people are so stressed out by it that they don’t even bother traveling at all. But, have no fear, help is here! Check out these five must-haves for any and all travelers.

SLIDER SANDALS

This may seem simple and not all that worth it, but they can make that terrible security check process so much easier. No more untying and retying your shoes. No panicking that you’re holding up the line as you do so. Just slip these bad boys on and off and you’ll be through that line in a breeze. Also, as long as your comfortable in your socks in front of strangers, going shoeless while you’re on the plane feels great!

PACKING CUBES

This one is for my fellow OCD types out there. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been lugging my suitcase around just thinking about how all that wonderful folding I had done was completely going to waste. But getting packing cubes like these completely changed my traveling experience for the better. You can keep everything organized and separated perfectly, while also maximizing your luggage space! Even the laziest and most unorganized of us can benefit from these beauties.

PASHMINA WRAP

This might not be as necessary for any of you that run hot, but it can be a lifesaver for those of us that can’t stand how cold airplanes get! I don’t know why those overhead vents have to blast cold air at us like they do, but I’ll tell you right now I do not like it. So having a light wrap like this that is easy to keep in your carry on can make the flight so much more comfortable.

SKIN MIST

Traveling is a messy business. How many times have you gotten off a plane and felt like your face had never been dirtier or greasier? I’d say it happens to me about, oh… every single time I’ve ever stepped on the plane. Having a skin mist like this one on hand to freshen up does wonders for your skin and your mood. Everyone deserves to stay fresh! Throw this baby in your bag and thank me later.

PORTABLE CHARGER

I think we’ve all been in the apocalyptic situation where I phone dies. It truly feels like the end of the world. How will I call or text people? How will I call a Lyft? How on Earth will I post an Instagram?! Well keep one of these little lifesavers with you and you will never have to experience that terrible fear again. If you get a good one, it can fully charge a dead iPhone up to five times. Trust me. You need one of these, like, yesterday.

 The word “tourist” has become a bit of a negative one at this point. And while most people try their best to avoid being included in the stigma, sometimes we just can’t help it! There are certain places we just have to see and we’re going to take as many pictures as we can.

But some of the biggest tourist attractions in the world aren’t always open! In fact, some of them are only open for a few days out of the year. So you better plan accordingly if you want to see any of them. Here are the top 5 part-time tourist attractions.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Yellowstone is easily one of the most beautiful places in all of America, if not the world. The massive park spans over three states (Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho)! And while the park is technically open to the public year-round, there are certain areas that are definitely worth seeing that have limited access depending on the season.

So depending on what you want to see and experience, there are certain times of the year that are more ideal for different areas. The winters offer beautiful coach rides and snowmobiling fun. While the warmer months are great for hiking and fishing. So plan accordingly! 

CONEY ISLAND

Everybody’s heard about Coney Island. It’s a New York staple and is engrained into the identity of the city. But one of the biggest draws of Coney Island is Luna Park and it’s Ferris wheel, roller coaster, and carnival games. And unfortunately, Luna Park is only open a few months out of the year. So if you’re willing to brave the huge crowds, save a trip to Coney Island for the warm Summer months.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

We’ve all heard about Buckingham Palace. It’s definitely one of the must-see attractions London has to offer and is right there at the top of the list with Big Ben. But you might be surprised to learn that the interior of the Place, which includes 19 staterooms, is actually only open to the public from mid-July to October 1st.

And on top of that, the lines can get out of control. So be sure to get your tickets in advance and definitely don’t skip out on the tour. If you do make the mistake of missing Buckingham altogether, travel a little out of town to take in Windsor Castle, which is something to see in and of itself.

GRAMERCY PARK

Gramercy Park is the little brother of sorts to the great New York parks of Bryant Park and Central Park. But Gramercy is still a beautiful park that is still worth exploring. Here’s the problem: it’s private! Only people that live in the nearby buildings are given keys to enter.

So if you’re in New York and want to take in this park, you better know someone that lives right next door, or you better be there on Christmas Eve. It’s the one day of the year the park is open to the public!

ICEHOTEL

This is a bit of a hidden gem as many people still don’t know about it. But this place is truly incredible. It’s in a Swedish village called Jukkasjarvi and is a hotel built entirely out of ice. And because of this, it actually melts and gets rebuilt every year! It’s only open for business from December to April. And believe me, it is definitely an experience worth having. So if you love trying new things and exploring the world, this is definitely the spot for you!

Personal injuries such as a blow to the head lead to at least 1.4 million traumatic brain injuries each year in the U.S. Signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury or TBI can include: chronic neck pain, headaches, confusion, dizziness, memory loss, difficulty focusing or concentrating, extreme grogginess, fatigue, loss of balance, nausea, blurred vision, ringing in the head, sleeping too much or too little, loss of at least one of the five senses, seizures, aphasia (problems understanding and expressing language), loss of motor control or movement, uncontrollable jerking or twitching, and/or dysphasia (not being able to swallow or chew correctly). While some of these symptoms rarely occur, it is important to be able to identify them all and get treatment immediately.

There are many causes of TBI – car accidents, firearms, blows to the head, and falls are the most common causes. Because TBI cannot be cured, prevention is the best approach. According to the CDC, there are some groups of people at heightened risk of receiving a traumatic brain injury:

• Approximately 18% of all TBI-related emergency department visits involved children aged 0 to 4 years.
• Approximately 22% of all TBI-related hospitalizations involved adults aged 75 years and older.
• Males are more often diagnosed with a TBI (59% of traumatic brain injuries).

TBI Prevention Methods:

• Always wear a seatbelt in a motor vehicle
• Use an appropriate child safety seat or a booster
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Always wear a helmet to prevent a blow to the head when on a bicycle, motorcycle, scooter, snowmobile, in contact sports, horseback riding, skiing, snowboarding, skating, and skateboarding

Fall Prevention Methods:

• Use the rails on stairways
• Provide adequate lighting, especially on stairs for people with poor vision or who have difficulty walking
• Place bars or safety locks on windows to prevent children from falling and receiving a blow to the head
• Do not leave obstacles on stairways or in walking pathways

Gun Safety:

• Keep guns locked in a cabinet and out of reach of children
• Store guns unloaded and apart from ammunition

There are many different kinds of treatments available for patients suffering from a TBI:

• Initial Treatment stabilizes the individual immediately following the initial injury
• Rehabilitative Care Center Treatment helps restore the patient to daily life
• Acute Treatment of a Traumatic Brain Injury is aimed at minimizing secondary injury and life support
• Surgical Treatment may be used to prevent secondary injury by helping to maintain blood flow and oxygen to the brain and minimize swelling and pressure

Traumatic brain injuries are complex and can manifest themselves with an array of symptoms and disabilities. The impact on an individual and their loved ones can be devastating. Vacardipane & Pinnis, PC is a law firm in New Jersey committed to helping personal injury victims. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, contact us to request a Free Case Evaluation today.