The Christmas period is a festive season that comes with a lot of activities, including traveling. Here are a few safety tips for traveling that you’ll find useful. Activities such as merriment, gestures of goodwill, thanksgiving, and of course, traveling! We all know that traveling is a fun activity and even a hobby to many, but it’s fraught with many risks.
Notwithstanding, what we can do is observe certain measures that can contain or limit such risks. Observation of these safety tips generally makes traveling not just fun but much safer as well. This article is about safety tips for traveling during this upcoming festive season.
When you hear safety tips for traveling, it isn’t just about traveling itself. It also covers safety tips concerning your absence from where you are departing from. This is where safety trips for pre-traveling come in. Below are some safety tips for traveling to follow this Christmas holiday:
Ensure your home is secure before your trip
It is never wise to travel without preparations. Your preparations should start from where you are leaving. It helps not to be in a hurry to travel. Don’t just wake up one morning, pack up and then start heading out to your destination.
The little things that make up your preparation detail matters a lot. First of all, ensure the safety of your home. You should check the condition and status of your security system if one is installed. The home security system, especially a sophisticated one is made up of alarms, cameras, motion detectors and so on.
Please don’t stop there, also contact the company that installed it for additional safety tips. If the security system was self-installed, have an extra security plan for your home. Arrange for a trusted friend to carry out periodic checks on your home. This is recommended if you are going to be away for a long while.
Vehicular inspection/servicing and emergency kit placement
This is for car owners who wish to use their private car to make the holiday trip. Always ensure the vehicle’s engine is in optimal condition before you set out. It is also essential to keep an emergency car kit in place.
If your car breaks down because of a flat tire, for instance, you can easily fix the spare one and continue your journey. An emergency car kit contains auto essentials such as jumper cables, spare tire and a screw jack. Another thing that should be present in your vehicle is the first aid kit.
There is nothing as frustrating as being stranded on the road because of an issue that can easily be rectified. It can ruin the festive moment, so having emergency kits handy will prevent that. But before your trip, ensure you get a professional to look the car over. Necessary maintenance or servicing should be carried out just to be on the safe side.
Make sure the tires are in good condition as well as all parts of the engine. Test your brake pad and steering. The vehicle must be verified road-worthy by the auto mechanic before you hit the road.
Have a good knowledge of the route and possible alternative routes
Good preparation makes provision for certain possible occurrences. Apart from knowing the route you are taking for your trip, also ensure you have a backup route. There is every chance that the road you want to use might be jammed with traffic or closed off for maintenance. Perhaps, it could even be deplorable and unfit for vehicles to use.
In this kind of situation, the best thing to do is to take another route leading to the same destination. You should have knowledge of at least two alternative routes in case the one you intend to use cannot be continued.
You should know when the road is going to be free and the rush hour. If you don’t know the travel route or suitable alternatives, opt for your GPS navigation system. This can aid you by keeping you on the right track, helping you avoid road closures and traffic. It can also help you retrace your way back to the highway if you get lost.
Be alert
Always keep your eyes on the road, and ensure both hands are on the steering. If you are using public transport, ensure you are traveling with a reputable travel firm. Don’t fiddle with your phone or take calls while driving. You can use wireless headphones or your car’s wireless system to answer those calls. Accident Avoidance should be one of your most important safety tips for traveling.
Make regular road stops
If you are going on a long journey, ensure that you take frequent stops to relieve yourself or just rest. You can take advantage of that time to also stretch out. Just do whatever will loosen up your muscles and keep your mind clear. Stopping from time to time while driving helps to keep your energy level.
Always travel with your phone and charger
You might encounter problems that are beyond your ability. Without a phone or a charger to power it, how do you intend to get help? Traveling with your phone is very vital as it can be a lifesaver. As long as there is cellular service where you are, you can always reach out to someone who can help.
You could either call a mechanic or even a cab to continue your journey. The latter should be an option if the mechanic you called can’t fix the problem there and then. Make sure your phone is charged and on all through your trip. It also helps your loved ones keep tabs on your trip and how close you are to your destination.
You can also download apps that can aid you in auto repair if your car breaks down. Also, make sure your car charger is functional. Get the contacts of mechanics along your travel route. This is to prevent your journey from being interrupted for long no matter where the car breaks down.
Keep yourself hydrated
Water is very important for a trip. Dehydration can decrease your energy levels which can be a safety hazard. Besides, why should you travel without carrying enough water with you? Always travel with some bottles of water so that you can stay hydrated all through your journey
Be hygiene-conscious (Important Covid-19 safety tips for traveling)
Covid-19 is not over yet, and it is still very much around infecting people. This means you must take the necessary health precautions. This should be taken more seriously in a public vehicle. Every surface area is a public area previously touched by an uncountable number of people.
Always travel with your anti-bacterial hand-wash so you can keep your hands sanitized and germ-free. You can also opt for simple water and soap. Always avoid touching body parts such as your face.
Always leave behind a copy of your travel itinerary
This is another alternative means of keeping your loved ones informed of your trip. The itinerary should not just contain information about the routes, but it should have your contact as well. Leave this with a trusted friend or loved one before you travel. This ensures you cannot be stranded if something happens during your journey.
Also, make sure copies of anything that can identify you are left behind. Things such as credit/ debit cards or passports should have their photocopies taken severally. So that your relatives can have a copy while you have some in your travel bag. This can help as a backup in case the original gets missing.
Monitor your Kids
If you are a parent, take note of this important safety tip. Always keep an eye on your kids as your new location may not be secure as your house. Kids tend to get overwhelmed with excitement in a new location or even during the journey.
Also, watch out for what they eat or put in their mouths. It could be a work tool that can choke them or a meal that might unsettle their stomachs. This could happen due to food poisoning or possible allergies. Makes sure everything hazardous is checked or possibly cleared in the immediate environment your kids are.
Keep your travel plans known to only a trusted circle
As good as it is to keep certain people informed, be careful about who you inform. This is one of the important safety tips for traveling. Giving away such vital information to the wrong ear can lead to road robberies. Just be sure you completely trust the person you are leaving your travel itinerary with. This also applies to the person you wish to check your house periodically while you are away. The Christmas holiday season should be a fun time to travel.
Final thoughts on safety tips for traveling
Provided these travel safety tips are adhered to; you can travel with peace of mind. Traveling to a different location is fun, and it makes your Christmas holiday memorable.
Sources
Holiday Safety Tips- atlantictraining
9 Holiday Travel Safety Tips for Your Next Getaway – safewise
