Saturday, December 5, 2009

Safely Traveling During the Holidays

By Pierre Levingston

Traveling during the Holidays is a common occurrence. Traveling can take up a lot of your time, especially when traveling a long distance. Here are a few safety tips to remember on your trip.

Don't travel alone. Traveling with more than one person is always the safest. If you don't have a choice in the matter, don't advertise that you are traveling by yourself.

Find rest stops or gas stations that are well lit. Criminals don't like hanging around in places where they can easily be spotted. Remember the lighter the area, the safer your chances are.

Carry pepper spray. Pepper spray is not lethal, like a gun would be, but it can still get you out of a sticky situation if something does arise. If you would like that kind of extra precaution, pepper spray may be a good choice for you.

Take turns driving and have someone stay up with you during the night drives. Two people should be awake during the drive at all times. This is the safest advice, since many of the accidents that happen when a driver falls asleep at the wheel are when he or she was the only one awake at the time.

If you don't have the option of taking turns keeping each other awake, consider activities that will help you stay alert. Eating sunflower seeds is a good option because it is not just eating, but it is also an activity to keep you awake as you take the seed out of the shell. Find something that will keep you focused and awake on your drive.

Carry a cell phone with you on your trip. A cell phone is a great tool on trips. Even an old cell phone can make emergency 911 calls.

Update family and friends of your progress on the road. Quick texts and phone calls are easy enough and is a good safeguard. Alerting your family of your whereabouts every few hours can really help if you have car trouble or other emergencies, and will keep them informed of any delays that may happen so they don't worry.

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