Traveling by car during the holidays is a tricky business. This season has rushed drivers driving through snow and slippery conditions. Even if you aren't traveling by car in the snow, holiday travel is stressful.
Have you ever traveled for Christmas or Thanksgiving to realize you have left lots of stuff behind that you need? Traveling during this period can be expensive, and busy, but if you plan well ahead of time, you will not have to go through all this.
From the wintery weather, those extended travel time, all this brings about some safety hazards that you should know about before you travel. Here are some holiday travel tips to consider as you plan for your holiday trip this year.
Have Your Car Serviced
If you are going to travel by road as many people do, be sure to have your car inspected and serviced. You should also keep an emergency kit ready.
This is because having car troubles is one issue most travelers face, and you want to avoid being stuck on the roadside in that cold weather. Also, it can be dangerous if your tire bursts as you are speeding along on a highway.Â
To avoid all this, take your car for inspection, check those tires, and be sure they are safe to hit the road.
An emergency kit is something you should not take lightly; make sure it has all the tools such as a car jack, spare tire, jumper cables, and any device to help if your car breaks down. First aid and other kinds of emergencies will also go a long way.
Learn Alternate Routes
As you travel, you must plan for worst-case scenarios such as if you hit construction, severe traffic, or road closing, make sure you know other routes you can take.
Furthermore, if you don't want to go through that crazy traffic, leave at a specified time to allow you to drive through before or even after traffic builds up. If you get lost, have your GPS at hand to keep on track.
Don’t Forget Your Cell Phone and Charger
Having a car phone charger will help you as you never know what might happen along the way, so a phone is essential for the utmost safety. This means you can call a mechanic for help or even a taxi to take you to a warmer place.
Also, don’t forget to pack your charger to keep that battery topped up. If you are planning to make stopovers, a wall charger will help, and if not, be sure to have a car charger with you.
Stay Hydrated
Not taking enough water moreover on a long drive can lead to decreased alertness, fatigue, which is quite dangerous. As you leave home, carry a few bottles of water with you and keep sipping on to stay hydrated throughout your trip.
Speaking of water, wash your hands frequently or sanitize more if you are riding a bus, train, or flying. This is because everything you touch has already been touched by someone else.
Give a Copy of Your Itinerary to Someone Close to You
Before you set off, give a copy of your itinerary and contact information to your relative or a friend. In case something happens to you, at least they will have a way of contacting you.
You can also leave them with copies of your credit cards, passports, or any other identification so that if anything happens to you, they can send you a photocopy. Keep a separate set in your luggage too.
Bottom Line
There you have it, folks, some of the tips to help you have a smooth holiday trip more so during this pandemic.
The holidays don’t have to be unsafe or dangerous to travel, but if you plan well ahead and follow these tips, you can rest easier knowing you have prepared for your holiday vacation.
