With all this Deflate Gate business going on this week and especially today, Sundance Vacations thought that we should weigh-in on the subject!
As you may know, as it has been in the news recently, the New England Patriots football team of the National Football League (NFL) stands accused of purposely deflating footballs during the American Football Conference’s (AFC) title game. The Patriots allegedly did this to gain a competitive advantage over their opponents.
An under-inflated football will allow the users to be able to grip the ball better during rainy weather conditions, thus giving them an unfair advantage over the other team. The Indianapolis Colts were the other team in that game and are the ones who reported the issue to the NFL officials and thus, Deflate Gate was born.
This got us thinking here at Sundance Vacations. What sort of things you need to make sure are fully inflated before or during your vacations! Check out this list and be sure to add any that we missed in the comments section below!
1. Tires
Before you head out on the road to drive to your travel destination, make sure that you check your tire pressure, especially the spare tire! Properly inflated tires make your car much safer and can end up saving you money in the long run. According to fueleconomy.gov they can up your gas mileage by almost four percent.
“You can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3% by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3% for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.”
2. Floaties/Pool Toys/Pool Rafts
Before you jump in the pool, whether you are a kid or an adult, it is important you make sure that all your pool toys and safety devices are properly inflated! Making sure that the toys and pool mattresses are all inflated will ensure that fun and relaxation reach their highest level while on vacation!
On a more serious note, parents should always check their children’s flotation devices to make sure they are working properly and are in good shape. Also, always make sure that your children are supervised while at the beach or in the pool. If it is not you watching them, it is important to make sure that there is a certified and trained lifeguard on duty.
3. Travel Pillow
When taking a long flight or drive to your vacation destination it may be a good idea to bring along a travel pillow. Inflatable ones of these can be very inexpensive and save you a lot of space as opposed to lugging a big one around with you. The pillow will help make sure you are rested and ready to go when you arrive at your destination, just make sure it is fully inflated for optimum comfort.
This pilliow, made by Samsonite, retails for only $9.99 and can be purchased at your local Bed, Bath & Beyond. There are a number of brands and type out there, choose which one works best for you.
4. Air Mattress
If you are heading out on a camping excursion with the guys, the family or even by yourself, make sure you are sleeping in style on top of an inflatable mattress! As a veteran camper, I know how uncomfortable the ground can be, even with a foam mat or sleeping bag. Rather than having rocks and sticks poke you in the back all night, consider switching to a properly-inflated air mattress.
With a number of different sizes and depths you can be sure to find the mattress that fits you best! Check out the selection that Coleman offers on their website, which includes kids, twin, queen and king size beds! Price ranges can vary on how comfortable you want to be, but almost all of them come in under the $100 price mark.
5. Beach Balls, Volleyballs and Footballs
When on vacation, sometimes travelers find themselves with some down time. That downtime is likely to be filled with a number of fun activities. I know for one, when I head to the beach it is important to always have a football with me incase an impromptu game of football or catch needs to be played. And how could anyone forget about beach volleyball?!
Make sure that your sports equipment is fully inflated to make sure that you and your travel companions have the most fun you can while in the pool, at the beach or anywhere else you may be! Don’t have a media circus surrounding your vacation!
So as you can see, proper inflation is important. Not just in professional sports, but also with vacations and travel! Don’t have your next vacation turn into Deflate Gate! Avoid the media coverage by following these tips and you will be well on your way to a relaxing and enjoyable vacation!
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Deflate Gate: Travel Edition