HOLIDAY TRAVEL 2005WOW! The holidays are upon us once again and that means road trips and travel
for many of us to visit family and friends. Here are some tips to help
prepare you and make your holiday travel less stressful and safer.
CAR SAFETY CHECK LIST:1) Make sure your car has either been recently tuned or not in need of a
tune-up for at least another 3 months or 3000 miles to assure it is running
properly.
2) Be sure to check all your fluid levels before hitting the road (check car manual or with the service dept. of a car dealer of the make of your car if you cannot find the necessary specifications or info you need).
Check: OIL, COOLANT, TIRE PRESSURE, TRANSMISSION, WINDSHIELD FLUID, (back wiper reservoir on vans, wagons and SUVs), WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES (If they streak or or split, replace them*).
* Get in the habit of replacing them twice a year same time you change your smoke detector batteries.
3) Tires should be in good shape with plenty of tread left before embarking
on an extended trip. (Insert a penny on it’s edge with Lincoln's head in the
tire groove. If you can see space above his head, get new tires!) Make sure
you have a spare and that it's properly inflated as well.
4) Check to make sure all your lights are working, especially your low and high beams.
Always be prepared for the unexpected.
OR: Or take your car to a reputable and trusted garage to go through your checklist for you.
MUST CARRY SAFETY ITEMS CHECK LIST:- Jumper Cables
- Tire Gauge
- Duct tape and Electrical tape rolls
- Working Flashlight ( extra batteries)
- Small tool kit or at least pliers, screw drivers and small open end and socket wrenches
- Couple of flares
- Cell phone and car charger
- HIGHWAY SAFETY SIGN*
- PEPPER SPRAY*
COLDER CLIMATES:- Be sure to carry a couple of extra blankets ( Preferably a foil space blanket)
- Extra jackets or sweat shirts, gloves
- Even chains are a good idea
- Food provisions are a good idea in addition to travel munchies, carry some extra water bottles, and non perishable packageable foods (food bars, pop-top canned food items, etc.
- Disposable lighter
- Spray de-icer, windshield brush and scraper
- Inflate-a-tire
Other items: A roll of quarters and anywhere from $20 - $100 in cash in a safe place in your car that could be used in case you run out of gas or need help with towing, etc.
GENERAL SAFETY HINTS:Prepare your route ahead of time (yahoo maps or mapquest if it's a new route
for you if you don't have a NAV system) and let family and/or friends know
where you are going, for how long, when you are leaving and when you expect
to return. Let neighbors know you are going away and have them take in
papers and mail for you. Leave some lights on, like living room, kitchen (
point of entry rooms) or better yet invest in some timers and set a few
rooms with them to give the appearance that someone is home. Park an extra
vehicle in your driveway. Be a tough target and give the appearance of your
home not being vacated for a few days.
NEVER let your gas tank get below 1/4-1/3 full.
*The most important safety products we recommend for travel safety are
PEPPER SPRAY and
HIGHWAY HELP SAFETY SIGNS, both available for purchase on our
website.
A
HIGHWAY SAFETY SIGN should be in each car in your family. As a disabled
motorist you are at high risk as people cruise the highway looking for potential victims. (65%-70% of serial killers find their victims this way).
Newly introduced to the US from Canada, the sign has proven to be a great
deterrent for the would-be highway predator. And, motorists call 911 when
they see someone stranded on the side of the road to alert authorities. You
cannot always depend on your cell phone working or take the risk of an
“alleged good Samaritan” helping you. Get one for all the cars in your
family and give them to those you care about.
Have a wonderful and safe Holiday from the folks at WSEG and KSEG.
Prepared by Mark Spencer, MA, S.A.F.E.© Copyright 2006 S.A.F.E. All rights reserved.
