Family
Summer Travel Safety Tips
Brought to you by: Bisnar & Chase LLP
The family summer vacation should be a fun and rewarding experience
for everyone. Here are some summer travel safety tips to assist
you in getting prepared. Buckle up and have fun!
Prepare your Vehicle
No one wants to be stuck in the middle of the night down a lonely road because of a broken down car. This would be sure to dampen holiday fun. Thus, the first step in preparing for your road trip should be preparing your car. To prepare your car:- Take a trip to your local mechanic to receive a thorough inspection of your car, especially the filters, fluids levels, tire pressure and belts. Don't wait until the last minute, in case you can't make an appointment right away.
- Buy a spare tire if you don't already have one. If you already have one, have it checked.
- Get a new timing belt if you haven't had it changed in over a year.
- Refill air conditioning fluid.
- Make sure your lights and wipers are working safely. Worn wiper blades can obliterate your view of the road, and a burned-out headlight may confuse other motorists. Signal lights that aren't working can prove to be unsafe.
- Have your car cleaned. You'll feel better in a clean car.
- Check your plates, registration and insurance information to make sure they are all valid, and make sure the other driver's in your party have valid driver's licenses.
- Pack an emergency first aid kit in your car which should include: first-aid items, a flashlight with fresh batteries, flares, tool kit, water, high-energy food, blankets, first-aid kit and matches. A cell phone is recommended, especially if you'll be traveling to less-populated areas.
- Remove all unnecessary items from your car to avoid clutter.
- Make sure you know beforehand roads you will be traveling on, including any construction along these routes. You can find this information at: Department of Transportation (www.dot.gov)
- Make sure someone else know of your travel plans, route and destination.
- If traveling with kids:
- Stock the car with various forms of entertainment to prevent disagreements and restlessness
- Avoid games with small pieces and include those that can be played as a group or individually
- Walkmans and portable televisions are good pacifiers, although televisions can distract from the road trip experience.
- Bring lots of music and story tapes all will enjoy.
- Buy an extra map for children to keep track of your travels, allowing them to become a navigator.
- Provide lots of pillows for everyone - kids fall asleep a lot faster when they have something soft to lay their head on.
While Driving
- Make sure you and your passengers are well rested before driving. The fatigued driver is an impaired driver and cranky children can be distracting.
- Provide quiet times in the car during which everyone, including adults, must be silent. Play games such as
- I Spy
- and
- Once Upon a Time
- in which each family member must think up a story part and character, and then pass to the next person who must embellish the story.
- Listen to Audio Books and bring lots of batteries for a Walkman in case not everyone feels like listening.
- Wake children up a few minutes before arrival so that they can adjust to the new setting.
- If possible, take turns driving with another adult. Switch as soon as the driver begins feeling tired or distracted.
- Take breaks at rest stops to stretch and burn off some energy.
Crime on the Road
Unfortunately, many of today's roads are unsafe due to carjackers and thieves who target unsuspecting tourists at gas stations, rest areas, parking lots, in city traffic and along the highway. To avoid being put at risk:- Be wary of the 'pull over'. Criminals will sometimes try and get you to pull over by indicating something is wrong with your car. Do not stop, check for problems instead at the nearest, well-lit gas station.
- Stick to major roads while driving, avoiding alleys and side roads since these are the areas criminals often target for hijacking.
- Avoid driving at night as much as possible.
- Never pick up hitchhikers
- Keep your windows rolled up and doors locked at night and especially when stopped at stoplights.
- Avoid flashing your headlights to signal to other drivers that their headlights are out. Although this used to be common courtesy, various gangs in the U.S. have been purported to drive without their headlights on, and then targeting those individuals who signal them for robbery.
- Take rest stops at well-lit and busy gas stations or truck stops. Although be warned you may run into inappropriate adult merchandise.
- Always accompany your children into the restroom at a rest stop since these places are often targets of criminal activity. Also, always lock your doors when leaving your car.
- Park only in well-lit areas and be wary of loiterers when entering a parking lot and check the lot for safety before opening your doors
- Do not park on the street overnight. If the hotel you are staying in does not have secure underground parking, park in a well-lit area and do not leave any valuables in the car.
- Keep your hotel door locked at all times.
- Meet visitors in the lobby.
- Do not leave money and other valuables in your hotel room while you are out. Use the hotel safe.
- Do not get on an elevator alone if there is a suspicious-looking person inside.
- Read the fire safety instructions in your hotel room. Know how to report a fire. Be sure you know where the nearest fire exits and alternate exits are located. Count the doors between your room and the nearest exit. This could be a lifesaver if you have to crawl through a smoke-filled corridor.
"This Newsletter is my way of sharing information that I believe may be helpful to keep you and your family out of harm's way or may be otherwise helpful, empowering or entertaining. If you have important information, or an empowering or funny story that you would like to share with my readers, please email it to me.
-- John Bisnar, Senior Partner Bisnar & Chase
(Personal Mission: To create an enlightened world by empowering us all.")
Email this important information to someone you care about and help keep them safe
