Holidays should be a time to spend with friends and family, not a time for constant isolation. With travel being prevalent during the holiday season there is going to need to be more consideration around the dangers of winter weather and extensive travel times. The holidays are coming up and it's easy to forget about safety during this time. Use these tips so you can focus on the festivities around Christmas instead of worrying!
When it comes to protecting your home, never post about your travel plans on social media. It's so easy these days to talk about travel on social media but this can put you in danger. Why let the whole world know when you are going to be gone? Always let a neighbor know when you'll be gone! Make sure you set up your home's light timers and keep some blinds open. You want to give off an impression that someone is home - just don't be way too obvious. If you have security systems installed at your home, you need to make sure they're all working properly - this includes alarms, motion detectors, cameras, and anything else that monitors your house. On top of improving your home security, it's also really important to cancel mail and any deliveries while you're away. Have a friend or neighbor check on your home while you're gone, especially if you'll be gone for long periods.
If you live in an area where ice is common, prepare your car before you leave so that road conditions don't ruin your trip. It is common to need a car service during the holidays. Getting stuck on the side of the road in cold weather really doesn't sound like much fun when you could still be sitting around & enjoying a slice of Grandma's pie instead. Think ahead! Put your car in for an inspection and have any necessary maintenance done, such as getting it winter-ready to save from a blown tire. Make sure your tires are properly inflated as well to avoid any problems on your long drive. Preparing a car emergency kit like a safety cone, carjack, and jumper cables is always a good idea and should include first aid essentials. If you're planning travel during the winter months, add a heat pack to your list too. If the roads haven't been plowed and sanded yet, then avoid driving and give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination safely. Take it slow and don't let the snow fool you into speeding. Make sure you leave plenty of room between you and the car in front so that if they stop suddenly, you can still stop safely.
Planning for your trip before you leave is always the way to go. Construction, closures & traffic can happen anytime, so having an alternate route can be very helpful. Tools like a car navigation system or an app like Waze can ensure you're never lost. They will re-route you if the need arises and help keep you from missing any important details. This can be a huge help when it comes to staying number & avoiding any unnecessary road closures etc. It's important to stop a few times a day - this will help you stay more alert on the road, and also replenish your energy. Stopping for 10-15 minutes every few hours can really do wonders for your energy levels. Make sure you grab your phone charger before you leave the house. A wall charger is good when you're making a stop, but a car charger is better when you're on the road
Hand washing isn't just for pandemic times. It's also important to wash your hands during flu season because you could contract the virus from just about anything. Especially during public transportation or while you're traveling abroad, keeping your hands clean is vital. When you're on the move, whether you're heading out or arriving home, be sure to give a family member or friend a copy of your itinerary and any contact information they need. That way they can reach you in case of an emergency, too. The holidays can be a fun time to travel. But it's important that you are proactive about safety. After all, you want to spend it focused on the holiday events, not worrying about anything going wrong. STOP Restoration Albuquerque will still be available 24 hours a day during the holidays to take care of any emergencies that may happen. From the whole family at STOP Restoration Albuquerque we want to make sure everyone has a Merry Christmas.
