ESCAPE ARTISTS

As cases of swine flu mount throughout North America and beyond, travelers -- and those who work in the travel industry -- are deeply concerned. Airlines have waived fees for changing flights to Mexico. Cruise lines have rerouted to avoid Mexican harbors. The Association of Flight Attendants has even asked the Federal Aviation Administration to require that U.S. airlines screen passengers for symptoms of swine flu. Those are prudent measures, but most air passengers just want to know what they can do to avoid contracting the flu. Here are a few basic steps, picked up from a Newsweek online article: 1. Wash your hands often, use hand sanitizer and avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth. 2. Unless you come within two rows of an infected person, there is little need for concern. But you can't control where you sit or who is sick, so turn on the overhead air and aim it to just in front of your face. This will increase ventilation and may push any unwanted particles out of the way. 3. Drink lots of water (and skip dehydrating coffee and alcohol). A well hydrated mucous membrane is the body's first defense against viruses and bacteria. To read more and link to the Newsweek article, go to the travel blog at www.startribune.com/escapeartists.

KERRI WESTENBERG

TRIP TIP

Last week, Travel ran a story on keeping track of children at theme parks (read it at startribune.com/travel). One clever reader, a mom with kids ages 10 and 16, offered this smart idea via online commenting: "I always have my kids put their cell phones in their pocket. Never to be taken out unless they need to call me or realize that I'm trying to contact them. The phone is set on the highest ringtone and vibrating. So, even if they can't hear it, they can feel it. We often get separated, but this way I can tell them to stay put and describe what they see. We stay on the phone until one of us sees the other." To the self-dubbed "Cautious Mom," thanks for the tip.

KERRI WESTENBERG

WEB WATCH

Travelers who prefer to explore an area by bike have an easy way to find a rental shop. RentaBikeNow.com matches bikers with stores in 144 cities in the United States and Canada. The site lets you choose your preferred dates and location, as well as bike type, size and accessories. From there, you can reserve and pay. Just be aware that the site charges a "convenience" fee (from $5 for one bike).

WASHINGTON POST

GOOD GEAR

The Liquid Image Explorer Swim Camera Mask -- a swim mask with an embedded waterproof 5-megapixel video camera -- records your close encounters with underwater life. Strap on the camera mask, press a button and a lens above the bridge of your nose captures your exploits at about 20 frames a second (with no audio -- but then, how long could you listen to "gurgle, gurgle, gurgle"?). Store about a minute of video in the camera or nearly two hours on a 2-gigabyte microSD card that you purchase. With included software, download and edit your video on a Mac or a PC. The camera records still images too. Be warned: The batteries can drain quickly and the camera resolution is good but not outstanding. It is available at www.hammacher.com and costs $99.95.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

SIDEROADS

The scenic St. Croix River Valley is the backdrop for the 17th annual Pottery Studio Tour and Sale Friday through next Sunday. Visitors can take the self-guided tour of seven studios, located about an hour's drive north of the Twin Cities, to see work by more than 30 potters from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska and other states. The tour features a colorful mix of stoneware, earthenware and porcelain. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Maps are available at each studio, www.minnesotapotters.com and at the Continental Clay Co., 1101 NE. Stinson Blvd., and the Northern Clay Center, 2424 E. Franklin Av., in Minneapolis (651-674-4656).

COLLEEN A. COLES