9 Holiday Travel Safety Tips for Your Next Getaway

Car trouble is a common issue for travelers  during the holidays. You don't want to end up stuck on the side of the road in cold weather instead of tucked in around the table with a piece of  Grandma's homemade pie.

Be proactive to avoid hazards like a blown tire.  Take your car in for an inspection and any necessary maintenance, particularly on your tires— make sure they're winter-ready and properly inflated for the long drive.

Prepare a car emergency kit with necessities like a safety cone, carjack, flashlight, and jumper cables. Include first aid essentials and extras like a blanket to stay warm if you break down in the cold. 

Study up to ensure you know how to safely navigate icy, wet, or slushy roads. Here are some basic tips to keep in mind:

• Avoid driving until roads have been plowed and sanded.
• Give yourself extra time to get to your destination so you don't rush in suboptimal conditions.
• Decrease your speed as needed.
• Leave yourself plenty of room behind other vehicles so you can stop safely on slick roads.

Winter driving challenges can tire you out much more than driving in the summer. Make frequent stops to rest or just stretch your legs. It's important to keep your energy level high enough to stay alert on the road. Stopping for even a few minutes every couple hours can do wonders for keeping your energy high. 

Dehydration may not be on the top of your list of  holiday travel safety hazards, but not having enough water during a long drive could mean fatigue or decreased alertness—and that's dangerous on the road. Keep a few bottles of water handy, and sip often to keep yourself hydrated throughout the trip.

Proper hand washing isn't just for pandemic times. The holidays are also smack dab in the middle of flu season. Keeping your hands sanitized is especially important if you're flying or riding a train or bus. Everything you touch has been touched by someone else, including armrests and door handles. 

Clean your hands frequently with either soap and water or antibacterial gel or wipes—and for the love of Aunt Betty's homemade stuffing, keep those hands away from your face!

Before you leave, give a copy of your itinerary and all necessary contact information to a relative or friend. This way it will be easy to reach you in case of an emergency, whether you're on your way out or heading back home. 

Also, leave photocopies of your passports, credit cards, and any other types of identification with this person in case something happens to the originals and you need a photocopy. It's also smart to keep a separate set of photocopies in your luggage.

The holidays don’t have to be a dangerous time to travel. Use these holiday travel safety tips to be proactive about travel safety. That way you'll spend time focused on the fun, not stressed about something going wrong.

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