Think Safety First When Traveling During the Holiday Season

With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it is very important to keep safety in mind as you travel this Christmas. Thinking safety first will help to ensure that you and your family stay safe during Christmas as you travel near and far.

1. Before you travel, make sure that every person in the family is as healthy as possible. Infants, toddlers and children should be current on their immunations before traveling. Visit the doctor the week before you are scheduled to leave if there are any doubts and make sure that all prescriptions and medications are full and packed.

2. Always remember to wash your hands and keep hand sanitizer close at all times. Germs are everywhere that people are and because more people are out and about during the Christmas season, there will be more germs to come into contact with. Because the winter months are known for the flu season, make sure that all travelers have had the flu shot.

3. When you are riding in a car, always wear a proper fitting seat belt. A lap belt should be snug fitting across the hip area and the shoulder belt should fit across the chest. Never put the shoulder belt behind your back. All children should be properly restrained in a car seat to ensure their safety.

4. Before you leave for your trip, make sure that your car has been serviced. Tires should be properly inflated to avoid blowouts and you should have all maintenance done before traveling. Make sure that you have a spare tire, jack, flashlight, pair of jumpers and any common tools in your vehicle in the event of a roadside emergency.

5. You never know when your travel plans can turn into a tragic emergency. Prepare for the worst by packing atleast two warm blankets, a couple gallons of drinking water and some non perishable food items. Road conditions can become trecherous during the winter months and you may be stranded on the side of the road with only what you packed.

6. Never drive while you are tired. Make sure that you get plenty of rest before you leave for your destination and always pull over if you begin to feel sleepy. Do not take any medications that can cause drowsiness or alter your concentration.