The holiday season is in full swing which means the roads are busier and airplanes are flying at full capacity. It doesn’t even matter where your destination is or how you plan to get there – all that really matters is that you arrive safely and have a wonderful time with your family and friends.
To help get you there and avoid traffic accidents and other mishaps, we’ve compiled some safety tips from the experts at The Red Cross, AAA, and Reader’s Digest.
By Road
Your Car: Regardless of your destination, if you are going by car, the first thing you want to do is to make sure your car is in good working order. Check the tire pressure, make sure your windshield fluid is filled and fill up that gas tank before you leave! Should you run into car troubles on the road, immediately pull as far off the road as possible and then seek assistance. Leaving your car too near the flow of traffic is dangerous and increases the odds that an accident will happen.
Driving Safely: Seatbelts – Make sure that you and all of your passengers are wearing seat belts and that all children are secure in child restraint seats. It’s the law and it’s intended to help keep you safe.
Drinking & Driving – It goes without saying… don’t drink and drive. In 2012, 10,322 people were killed in alcohol-impaired-driving traffic accidents. And always obey the speed limits. Remember that busy roads make for stressful driving and speed only adds to that stress.
Resting: Get out of the car and walk around a bit, or my personal favorite – 20 jumping jacks – really gets the blood flowing again! If you find you are still very tired, don’t take chances – take a nap (but not while driving).
By Air
Flu Season: The holidays mean the winter season is arriving and with that comes the flu season. If you feel you have the “bug”, be thoughtful toward the other passengers and if at all possible postpone your trip. Airplane passenger areas are small and present the perfect environment for germs. Wash your hands often and remember that everything you touch has been touched by many others and could be harboring even more germs. Travel with hand sanitizers and anti-bacterial wipes and use them!
Medical Issues: If you have diabetes or use a syringe when taking your medicine, be sure to carry an official note from your doctor stating that the syringe is necessary for you to take your medicine. Also, if you have any life-threatening allergies, wear a medical alert bracelet and have an Epi-pen kit with you in your carry ons. Also, know the generic names of your medications so they can be replaced if lost.
Packing: Travel as light as possible and leave your valuables at home. Don’t run the risk of losing them. Pack any presents you are bringing in your carry-on luggage so that they can easily be checked by security and will arrive in better shape. Use covered luggage tags with your office address instead of your home address.
Enjoy your holiday travels and arrive safely. Take that extra minute to prepare and remember what a wise man once said: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” ― Benjamin Franklin