Safety Tips When Traveling This Holiday Season

Traveling can be both stressful and scary, especially when traveling alone. Whether you’re traveling only a few hours by car or a plane ride to your destination this holiday season, here are a few ways to stay just a little bit safer while traveling this season!

Driving

1. This may be the most important tip that someone could give you about driving. Make sure to drive sober. Find a ride home from a sober friend or family member or call for an Uber, Lyft, or taxi. If those are not available or you do not want to purchase a ride, make sure to pre-arrange your sleeping arrangements beforehand if you know you will be consuming alcohol. Driving while intoxicated may not only affect your life, but your families as well as the other family and individual that could be involved in a potential collision. Drive sober this holiday season, and with that, be aware at what times you are on the road (avoid driving late at night, when many drivers are leaving social events where they may have been drinking).
2. When traveling alone by car, there are frequent stops such as gas and bathroom breaks. With this, make sure that all your belongings in your car are covered with blankets or jackets to make it more deceiving to the public that you have items in your vehicle. If items are easily visible in your back or front seat, consider putting your belongings in your trunk. Also, make sure to lock your car as soon as you step foot out and inside as well, to limit the chance of someone potentially opening your car door. 
3. Always make sure you have someone tracking your location in case you were to potentially break down or get lost. With that being said, ensure your electronics are fully charged as well so that you’re able to reach someone in the case of an emergency.
4. Before you travel, always make sure to check the fluids in your car and the air pressure in your tires. You don’t want to risk having anything not be full and your car potentially breaking down because of it. Below are instructions on how to check your oil, coolant, and the air pressure in your tires 

• Checking your oil: When you open the hood of your car look for a (typically yellow) tab that has an image of a gasoline can on it. When you find it, pull it all the way out (it will be a long metal stick). Once you do that, take a paper towel and wipe the gasoline off on the bottom of the stick. Once you’ve done this, stick the metal stick all the way in and then pull it out once again. Now check where the gasoline sits on the bottom of the stick. It differs for each car but there will be an indication of full and empty. If the oil hits anywhere between those two lines, you are all set. If it sits at the empty line or is very close, look up the make, model and year of your car to find the oil that is needed and fill as needed. If you are frightened to do this, find a friend that is confident or if you can afford it, head to an auto mechanics shop. 
• Checking coolant: After you have popped the hood of your car (again each car varies) look for a semi-clear container that is typically labeled with “coolant.” If it is not clearly labeled, look for a container with a colored liquid inside. If you are still confused, look up images on the internet of the make, model, and year of your car to find it. Once you have found it, see if the liquid is sitting between the max and minimum amount aloud. Fill to the maximum line and your car is good to go. 
• Air pressure: This step is very simple as well. To find the air pressure your tires need to be at, open your driver’s side door and look on the inside of your door to find a sticker. This sticker will tell you the needed PSI amount for both rear and front tires. If you choose to fill up at a gas station, you will see a spot that says water/air, park in that section. After paying the fee, put the hose nozzle up to the nozzle on the inner part of your tire. A metal meter will pop up showing you the air pressure, so use this to guide you as you fill up your tires to the needed PSI amount.

Flying

1. When flying, always make sure you have protective gear on you at the airport. Whether this is pepper spray or safety devices attached to your keys make sure they are readily available to use and can work properly. Note that you will likely have to place these items in a checked baggage as most airport security will not permit these items to be carried on.
2. When flying, also make sure you have your identification on you in close proximity. Whether this be an ID or a passport, make sure you keep it close to you and out of reach of others. This could be in your front pocket or in a purse/bag that is kept in front of you on your chest. 
3. Be aware of your surroundings. During the holidays, airports are packed with hundreds of people. Make sure you’re alert and aware, and not looking down at your phone whilst moving through the airport.
4. Lastly, this holiday season, try and carry on a bag so you don’t risk losing your luggage in the sea of all the other suitcases. It’s also more beneficial to have your belongings on you in case there are delays or cancellations.

I hope these tips helped, whether you are driving or flying this holiday season! Remember to be safe, and most importantly have fun and enjoy your winter break!