Holiday Travel Safety Tips

This time of year calls for icy road conditions, congested highways and airports, flight delays, and winter colds! For some, this can be an overwhelming and frustrating experience when trying to reach your destination. 

Whether you’re traveling by air or hitting the road, use these holiday travel safety tips to improve your experience and help you make it to your destination safely:

Plan ahead

If traveling by air, ensure you have planned your flights accordingly.  Unfortunately, layovers are very common, especially when traveling long distance. Always allow at least 1-2 hours in between your flights just in case delays occur. If you plan on driving to your destination, map out your routes and prepare alternates just in case there are accidents, detours or unexpected traffic delays. GPS systems built into phones are great but can be unreliable. Try using MapQuest or Roadtrippers to get printed directions and explore alternate routes. 

Prepare your vehicle

No matter what distance you plan on traveling this holiday season, always ensure that your vehicle is in tip top shape. Nothing would be worse than being stuck on the side of the road in cold weather waiting for your trusty roadside assistance to come to the rescue. Plan to have your car serviced and inspected prior to traveling in the winter weather. It’s also recommended to keep a car safety kit in your vehicle in case of an accident or emergency situation!

Expect the unexpected

Lost luggage at airports is more common than you think. Always pack an extra outfit and any important items such as medication or phone chargers in your carry-on baggage. This way, you will always have it on hand when needed. When driving to your destination, always expect traffic delays especially when traveling on popular highways. During the holidays, roads can become congested. Stay alert while driving to avoid a possible accident from occurring.

Leave a trail

Regardless of where you plan on traveling over the holidays, it’s always best to let someone know your plans. This could be a member of your family, a friend, or a neighbor. Leave copies of your itinerary and  driving routes, photocopies of important documents and phone numbers with this person. If they need to contact you, or you get stuck in a pinch, this person can help! It’s best to plan for the unexpected so that you’re prepared in the case of an emergency. 

Take care of yourself

Stay hydrated and alert, especially when driving. Driver’s fatigue can happen to anyone. Take breaks when driving long distances to stretch, rest and refuel. When traveling anywhere, frequently wash your hands with soap and carry anti-bacterial hand sanitizer. High-populated areas such as airports, buses and trains are full of germs and the last thing you want is to be sick while traveling this holiday season. 

For some, traveling during the holidays can be a scary thought. But, by using these holiday travel safety tips, you are sure to have fun and make it to your destination safely.