Family Road Trip Safety Tips

Many families are considering their options for traveling this holiday season. With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending Americans not travel to visit loved ones, many families are considering taking time off amongst themselves. If your family is planning a road trip, don’t forget about safety concerns that are not relevant to COVID-19.

 

Make sure your family is safe and ready for an adventure with these road trip safety tips.

 

Prepare Your Car

 

It may seem like a ‘given,’ but you might be surprised at how many people travel without giving their car a good once-over. There’s nothing worse than embarking on an adventure only to end up broken down on the side of the road. This is a frustrating and often expensive problem. Prepare your car by doing the following:

 

· Check the tires

· Have the oil changed

· Check for safety warnings or recalls

· Make sure your wipers are working properly

 

Prepare for Inclement Weather

 

Suppose you are traveling to an area where the weather is different or could change quickly, be prepared. For example, if you are traveling to an area where there may be snow, pack a snow shovel. If you are traveling to an area where it is raining, make sure you have good wipers and washer fluid.

 

Pack a Safety Kit

 

While relevant anytime, it is especially important when traveling to have a safety kit in your vehicle. This kit should include a First Aid kit, flashlight and batteries, blankets, bottled water, non-perishable foods, and any personal items family members may need.

 

Get Some Sleep

 

Fatigue is one of the most dangerous road hazards. Before hitting the road, make sure anyone who is driving gets plenty of sleep. Drowsy driving causes tens of thousands of accidents each year. If you start to feel drowsy, swap drivers or pull over somewhere safe to take a nap or break up driving time.