If your family will be setting out on travels during this holiday season you won’t want the excitement of the season to be overshadowed by emergencies or accidents. Health and safety are two of the most important things that often get overlooked in the hubbub of preparations. But, don’t let them! Here are three tips to help your family have a great holiday season.
Take Your Time
If you’re flying or driving this holiday season, slow down and take your time. That might mean arriving to the airport an hour earlier than you need to in order to avoid traffic. Or, it could mean slowing down on snow covered roads even if you’ll be late for the big family dinner. This is one of the easiest ways to remain safe while traveling. Many accidents happen because people haven’t left enough time and are speeding or driving erratically in order to meet a deadline. If you’re driving your own car to a destination being late may not be optimal but it’s better than the alternative. If you’re flying there is a hard and fast deadline, you need to arrive before the plane departs, but give yourself enough time to get to the airport safely accounting for any delays you might face on the road. Not only will these suggestions help you arrive physically safe but also will help reduce stress that can lead to mistakes and accidents.
Don’t Drink and Drive
This point shouldn’t need reminding but under no circumstances is it advisable to drink and drive. This is especially true during the holiday season when there are many more cars on the road. Hospitals and police reports often cite an increase in drunk driving around the holiday season and news reports regularly carry tragedies that happen this time of year because of alcohol induced traffic accidents. The best way to stay safe is to simply not do it.
Be Aware
Even if you take all of the personal steps possible to travel safely, others around you may not have done the same thing. Be alert and aware of what is happening around you. Give other travelers some grace as they set about their travels. You also should keep alert of what the weather is and any other delays that may be happening on the roads. Being well equipped with knowledge of what is happening can help you to make alternate plans if an issue does arise. Keep important phone numbers with you and always travel with a charged cell phone. You should always know the numbers for; your insurance company, any travel agency you’ve worked with, the airline you’re flying with, roadside assistance, and emergency services. It might also be useful to program into your phone an emergency number for a friend or relative. Don’t use their name but label it as “Emergency Contact” this way should you get in an accident or be separated from your phone whoever discovers it can call this contact with any information.
Traveling during the holidays should be a fun and happy time of year. Just remember to do it safely!
Anything you want to add?
Good reminder about the emergency contact! I set it up on my old phone, but I'm not sure if the info transferred over.
Those are great tips and reminders. I love your emergency contact idea.
Great tips that we all need to be reminded of. I don't know what it is about the holidays that makes people a bit more reckless.
Good reminds on being safe. I always say take your time. It's better to be a few minutes late then never to arrive.
Being aware is something that is so important. Yet sometimes I find myself not paying attention with all the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Thanks for the reminder.
We are landing at 11 pm on new years eve, it makes me a little nervous. hoepfully everyone will be at their location waiting for midnight.
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I’m not looking forward to the drive north for the holidays. I’ll make sure to stay safe though!
For those of you that live in a larger city, get the Lift or Uber app. It is great for those nights where you want to drink and you and everyone else will get home safe and sound. I don't drink but my son and his crowd love this service.
Never drink and drive!! It is so dangerous!
Travel when kids are quiet, we drive / travel super early in the morning because the kids will fall back asleep.
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We won't be traveling, but I do so agree with your list; Smart to not drink and drive.
Great tips! I always travel with important numbers such as insurance, airline and passports. I would rather be over prepared then not have the information I need.
Thank you for sharing. Some of these seem like common sense but we all need reminders during this time of th year. Safe holidays to you!!
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These are great tips! Living in northern New England, the weather always plays a role in our travel plans this time of year.
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Great reminder about being aware, especially during the holidays. Sadly people become careless and this can lead to accidents. Lets all have a safe holiday.
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Thank you for the tips. I've pretty much decided against any major road travel at this time of year! Just for simplicity's sake.
Travel can be so much fun and peaceful as long as you plan it and are flexible with the plan. Your tips are perfect,. Not traveling this year, but I have in the past.
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I love this article as this is the time of year that people are in such a rush to get festivities started or to get shopping done that things do happen. I try to make everything at my house casual and low-key. My oldest said he would be at our house at 12 on Christmas Eve. We called and he was running late. I assured him that was fine, everything and everyone would be here when he arrived. There is nothing worth crashing over! And we had such a great time when he did get here, late or not.