What you should think about this holiday season: great food, stories around the fireplace, and hot cocoa. Instead, you’re worried about home, other drivers, and all the dangers of winter travels.
Between the increase in the number of robberies and petty larceny crimes as well as the high rate of drunk driving accidents, it’s no wonder the winter months can quickly turn from joyous to precarious.
Any travel is often a time rife with mishaps – necessitating flexibility, safety precautions, and a contingency plan in an emergency. Preparedness is the key to a successful, safe, and enjoyable trip.
To prevent your vacation from going awry, follow these 7 travel safety tips for families.
Preparing Your Home for Holiday Travel
Before you head out to enjoy the holidays, you must ensure your home is secure and prepared for your time away.
The last thing you want are thefts or accidents ruining your trip. These steps help you safeguard your home and belongings while giving you peace of mind to relax and enjoy your family.
Secure Doors and Windows
Double-check that all doors and windows are locked before you leave.
This might seem obvious, but it’s easy to overlook a small window or forget to latch a back door in the rush to get out the door.
Consider using smart locks or window sensors for added security. If you have sliding doors, placing a sturdy rod in the track can add an extra layer of protection against forced entry.
Put House Lights on a Timer
For anyone leaving their home, the truth is that you should be worried about robberies and break-ins while you’re gone. According to the National Crime Victimization Survey, petty larceny and robberies increased by 20% in December. One way to give potential criminals pause is by setting your house lights on a timer.
When homes go dark for days, they become targets for skilled burglars who use light patterns as a tip-off that the homeowners are away on vacation. Research shows that less crime occurs in well-lit streets, so it makes sense to do the same for your home at night.
To prevent your home from being broken into while you are out of town, install a reasonably-priced light timer that you can use to program your lights so they turn on and off at different times throughout the day. If the lights alternate between rooms, it will look like someone is home and moving around the house.
Tell a Trusted Neighbor and the Police
Another good way to protect your home while you’re out of town is to alert a trusted neighbor and the local police station about your planned vacation days. Building a community in your neighborhood lets criminals know they are at higher risk of being caught.
In addition, you can rely on your neighbor to collect your mail/packages, take care of house pets or plants, and call you with any strange happenings on your property while you’re away.
Depending on your relationship with local police, officers can cruise periodically to monitor your home and look for suspicious activity.
Turn Off and Unplug
Reduce fire risks and save on energy costs by unplugging non-essential appliances, such as coffee makers, toasters, and holiday lights.
If you’ll be gone for an extended period, consider turning off your water supply to prevent leaks or frozen pipes.
A smart thermostat helps you control the temperature remotely, ensuring your home stays energy-efficient and safe while away.
Photocopy and Backup All Documents and Store in a Secure Folder
Before you leave for vacation, ensure all necessary documents have been photocopied, stored, and backed up on an external hard drive.
When traveling, print out a copy of these documents or create a digital version accessible via smartphone. Apps like Dashlane allow you to do this, or there’s always the tried and tested password-locked folder.
Documents you’ll want to make sure you copy include driver’s licenses, passports, major credit cards, health insurance cards, and proof of car insurance.
Staying Secure While Traveling
Scammers and opportunistic criminals tend to be most active during the holiday season. With new technology attempting to steal data, you and your family must stay vigilant to avoid falling victim to common travel scams and security risks.
Be Cautious with Public Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, and cafes are a lifesaver for travelers, but it’s also a hotspot for cybercriminals.
Avoid accessing sensitive accounts, such as online banking or shopping platforms, over public networks.
Use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your data and keep your personal information secure for ultimate protection.
Watch Out for Common Scams
Scammers often target tourists, especially during the holidays.
While out with your family, be wary of overly helpful strangers offering unsolicited advice, such as where to exchange money or how to find transportation.
Similarly, avoid unlicensed taxis or rideshare drivers, as these can lead to inflated charges or unsafe situations.
Protect Your Belongings
Keep a close eye on your luggage and personal items, especially in crowded areas.
Anti-theft bags with lockable zippers or RFID-blocking compartments safeguard your valuables from pickpockets.
Reminder: always leave your belongings in sight.
Be Mindful of Payment Methods
When making purchases while traveling, use credit cards rather than debit cards whenever possible.
Credit cards often offer better fraud protection and don’t grant direct access to your bank account.
Enable text or email alerts for transactions to monitor activity on your accounts in real time.
Make Good Use of the Hotel Safe
Rather than leaving your belongings in the open, locate the hotel safe in your family’s hotel room. Usually, it’s standard that the hotel keeps it in a closet or drawer. While it’s not 100% protective, it’s much safer than your valuables left around the room.
Set up a password that your family members will remember easily, and get in the habit of leaving valuable documents, wallets, and electronics in the safe to protect yourself in case of a robbery.
Know Your Family’s Limits
The number one thing to remember while traveling is that each family member should understand their physical and emotional limits. Children have shorter attention spans and get tired quickly, so vacations overbooked with activities and lack of built-in rest time lead to difficulties for parents and their kids.
Nobody should try to push themselves on a vacation if they are sleep-deprived, sick, or unable to get through a long day. Instead, prioritize health – ensure everyone eats regular, healthy meals and sleeps appropriately each night.
Consider purchasing travel insurance on flights and activities if someone falls ill or is past their limits. You will never know when it might come in handy.
Air Travel Safety Tips
Holiday air travel is stressful, but taking extra precautions can help ensure your trip is safe and worry-free.
Pack Wisely
Before your trip, visit the airline’s website to know what you can and cannot bring on the plane.
Follow TSA guidelines to avoid delays at security checkpoints, and keep essential items like medications, identification, and valuables in your carry-on.
This way, you’ll have quick access even if your checked luggage is delayed or lost.
Stay Alert
At the airport, stay alert, especially in crowded areas like security lines or baggage claim.
Keep your personal items within sight to reduce the risk of theft.
Use luggage with lockable compartments or a tracker device to keep tabs on your belongings.
If you’re traveling with children, establish clear rules about staying close and holding hands in busy areas to ensure everyone stays together.
Stay Hydrated
While this might sound silly, dehydration is a serious issue whether traveling on the road or in the air. When away from home, drink more water than usual as you’re expending extra energy doing different activities or driving down a highway without many rest stops.
Avoid any alcohol or caffeine drinks, as they will dehydrate you quickly. If you notice any headaches, extreme thirst, or dark-colored urine, it’s time to start drinking water, as you’re likely dehydrated.
Road Trip Safety Tips
Holiday road trips can be a fun and memorable way to travel, but safety should always come first.
Inspect Your Car
Before hitting the road, take time to inspect your vehicle.
Check the tire pressure, oil level, brakes, and windshield wipers to ensure your car is road-ready.
Drive Carefully
While driving, follow safe driving practices to keep everyone secure.
Stick to the speed limit, and adjust your speed based on weather and road conditions, especially if snow, ice, or heavy rain are in the forecast.
Plan your route ahead of time and use a GPS or map to avoid getting lost, but always pull over safely if you need to check directions.
Don’t forget to schedule regular breaks to stretch, refuel, and rest to prevent fatigue, especially on long trips.
If driving at night, stay alert and avoid using your phone or other distractions while behind the wheel.
Be Prepared for a Travel Emergency with a Travel Emergency Kit
Carry a home or auto emergency kit with you in case any family members are injured or sick. Find something portable you can carry while you are out of town.
You can buy one pre-made or assemble the necessary materials yourself.
Your emergency travel kit should include band-aids/gauze, medical tape, antibiotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide, flashlights, a folding knife, fire starters, and a compass.
It is also wise to include a paper map of the city you are traveling to.
Stay Safe This Holiday Season with LifeSecure
Whether you’re staying at home or traveling on the road, safety preparedness needs to be in the back of your mind to ensure you and your family enjoy the holiday season this year and for years.
LifeSecure’s vast selection of emergency preparedness kits and safety products lets you rest assured your family is protected no matter the circumstances.
