• Write out your packing list two weeks prior to travel and complete purchasing your supplies one week prior to your trip. Ask your healthcare provider and other FPIES families for tips and suggestions.
  • Locate the nearest hospital or emergency care unit for each stop on your trip. Your healthcare provider may also help you locate an FPIES-friendly colleague in the case of emergency.
  • One month prior to your travels, request a letter of medical documentation from your healthcare provider. Request that your provider maintain this letter in your child’s chart to utilize and update each trip.
  • Seek out support. Are you traveling to a location you’ve never visited and are not sure of local food stores or hospitals? Reach out to I-FPIES to link in with a local family to ask questions. Also conduct online research to locate sources of food and medical care prior to your travels.
  • Will you require refrigeration for safe foods? Purchasing a TSA-approved “travel cooler” is a great idea. If you are traveling with your child, have them decorate the cooler and label it with their name and medical supply sticker. Use the same cooler for all your traveling needs.
  • Traveling internationally? Be sure to register with the SMART TRAVELER program to ensure safety and contact should an emergency occur, resulting in medical or dietary shortages.
  • Worried about locating specialized foods? Order or purchase larger quantities prior to your trip; be sure to “over pack” these foods in case of an emergency or delayed departure.
  • Be sure to pack safe foods for the duration of your flight, car or train ride. It is helpful to over estimate what will be needed in case there are delays. If you are traveling for longer than one week, account for the food’s shelf life to maintain freshness. If you are traveling with meat or fish, it is often helpful to freeze these items. If you have safe, non-perishable items, they may be easiest to bring.
  • To avoid spoilage, cook your safe dishes and freeze them prior to your trip. Pack them in dry ice for your flight, car or train ride and place them in your freezer when you arrive to your destination. This will also cut down on prep time and allow more time for relaxation and fun!
  • You can also prepare by shipping items ahead of time. Ask to speak to your concierge, hotel or house manager, etc. to request their shipping policies. In many cases, they will hold your package and confirm its arrival prior to your check-in date and time.
  • It is often helpful to research lodging that provides a kitchen/kitchenette. Inquire about their table and silverware. Bring your own disinfectant soap so you may clean their supplies, or bring your own cooking equipment.
  • Consider purchasing travel insurance and emergency care insurance, especially if you are traveling to a remote or international location. Medical care is not always accessible in areas outside of your mainland. Research companies like Angel Flights http://www.angelflight.com/, Air Care Alliance http://www.aircarealliance.org/or Flight Aware http://flightaware.com/live/special/compassion/, which provide volunteer airlift services in emergency situations. Keep in mind that this can often be avoided with proper planning and preparedness.
  • Familiarize yourself with Angel Flight’s guidelines for patients and locate your public benefit flying organization: http://www.angelflight.com/patients/
  • Ask to speak to the chef at your resort or travel location prior to traveling. Many times, the chef will be experienced in working with food allergic customers and can make accommodations to suit your needs. Several resorts have detailed food allergy policies in place, such as Disney. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/special-dietary-requests/.
  • If available, complete a guest allergy/dietary request form to provide your hosting chef. Email or phone in this information prior to your travels so the resort may purchase specific brands or alternative foods you require. When arriving to your location, set up a meeting with your chef to review his or her purchases and develop a meal plan for the duration of your visit.