1. Make sure your house is as safe as possible while you’re away.
Make sure that your home’s security system—which may include cameras, motion detectors, alarms, and other monitoring devices—is operational if you have one installed.
Monitoring is an option for certain do-it-yourself home security systems. For the month you’ll be away, think about giving your security system 24/7 professional monitoring if you typically check it via an app.
In addition to using your alarm system to increase security, stop receiving mail and other routine deliveries. If you’ll be gone for an extended period of time, ask a friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your house while you’re gone. If you reside somewhere with a lot of snow, plan for snow to be removed while you’re away.
2. Before you depart, have your automobile examined or repaired, and make sure it has an emergency kit.
During the holidays, car difficulty is a regular problem for vacationers. Instead of curled up around the table enjoying a piece of Grandma’s baked pie, you don’t want to wind up stranded on the side of the road in the bitter cold.
Be alert to prevent dangers such as a burst tire. Make sure your tires are prepared for winter driving and correctly inflated before making the lengthy travel by taking your car in for an examination and any necessary maintenance.
Stock your car emergency pack with essentials including jumper cables, a carjack, a safety cone, and a torch. Pack basic first aid supplies along with extras like a blanket in case you get cold and need to remain warm.
3. Understand how to drive on slippery roads safely.
Make sure you understand how to drive on slick, wet, or icy roads by doing some research. Here are some fundamental pointers to remember:
Till the roads are plowed and sanded, do not drive.
Allow additional time to reach your location so that you don’t rush under less than ideal circumstances.
Reduce your pace as necessary.
On slick roads, give yourself plenty of space to stop safely behind other cars.
4. Know your alternate routes and make a plan for the drive in advance.
Making adequate plans guarantees that you’re ready for any eventuality that may arise while traveling. When faced with construction, a road closure, or heavy traffic on a highway, it can be quite difficult to quickly find an alternative route.
When you chart your itinerary, make note of detours ahead of time. You may securely relocate yourself and receive alerts about potential obstacles by using tools like a Waze app or a car navigation system. In order to keep on course, avoid road closures, or make your way back to the main road in the event that you become lost, these can be of great assistance.
Additionally, plan your route such that you are on popular routes either before or after peak traffic hours if you wish to avoid it.
5. Take regular breaks.
Driving in the winter can be far more exhausting than summer driving. Stop frequently to stretch your legs or just to rest. Maintaining a high enough energy level to remain attentive when driving is crucial. Maintaining a high level of energy can be achieved by pausing for even a little while every couple of hours.
6. Keep a phone and charger with you.
You never know when or where an automobile problem can appear. If you fall into problems, a mobile phone can help you call for assistance, acquire a tow, or arrange for alternate transportation.
But if the battery runs out, it won’t help you at all. Before you leave the house, make sure you grab your phone charger. When traveling, a car charger is preferable to a wall charger for charging purposes.
You can download apps on your smartphone to assist you in times of need. Download the app from your auto insurance company before your journey if it has one to make roadside assistance convenient. Taking a picture of or downloading your insurance card is also a smart idea.
7. Continue to drink water.
While dehydration might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about vacation travel safety risks, it is nonetheless risky to drive when dehydrated or less attentive. To stay hydrated throughout the journey, keep a few water bottles close at hand and take frequent sips.
8. Wash your hands frequently with soap or antibacterial hand sanitizer.
Proper hand washing isn’t just for pandemic times. The holidays are also smack dab in the middle of flu season. Keeping your hands sanitized is especially important if you’re flying or riding a train or bus. Everything you touch has been touched by someone else, including armrests and door handles.
For the love of Aunt Betty’s handmade stuffing, wash your hands often with soap and water, antibacterial gel, or wipes. Also, keep your hands away from your face!
9. Give photocopies of critical documents and a copy of your travel itinerary to a close friend or relative.
Give a friend or relative a printout of your itinerary along with all the contact details you need before you depart. In this manner, whether you’re traveling home or out, it will be simple to get in touch with you in an emergency.
Additionally, provide this individual photocopies of your credit cards, passports, and any other forms of identification in case the originals are lost and you need a copy. Keeping an additional set of photocopies in your luggage is also a wise move.
Traveling during the holidays doesn’t have to be risky. To be proactive about travel safety, make use of these holiday travel safety recommendations. In this manner, you’ll be less worried about things going wrong and more focused on having fun.