The holidays are a time for travel, so it is time to review some safety tips for this time of year. Lots of people will be packing their bags and hitting the road, leading to a noticeable uptake in traffic before, during, and immediately after the holidays.

Road conditions also tend to be more hazardous during the holidays due to winter weather. If you are traveling with children, you also need to take a few extra steps to ensure safe holiday travel.

12 Safety Tips for Holiday Travel

1. Ensure that every passenger in the car has their own restraint. Make sure that all restraints in car seats fit correctly and are properly fastened before you begin your trip.
2. Keep an extra close eye out for children in parking lots. During the holidays, parents can get distracted, and children can run off in second. Also, keep a closer eye on your own children, as distracted driving increases during the holidays.
3. If you have a new driver in your household, make sure they understand the increased risks of driving in winter weather. In some cases, it may be best that they do not drive in snow and ice until they are a more experienced driver.
4. Keep infants and toddlers in appropriate car seats. They should always be placed rear-facing until they reach the proper size. At that time, the seats should be changed out with forward-facing models.
5. Never place a car seat in the front seat of a vehicle with an airbag.
6. Children who have outgrown traditional car seats should be placed in booster seats until the seat belt fits correctly. This is typically around 8-12 years old.
7. Children under 13 years old should always ride in the back seat of a vehicle.
8. Some rental companies will provide car seats for traveling customers, but it is always best to provide your own. It is not always possible to know the condition of the seat from the rental company, or if the seat has been damaged in an accident.
9. Don’t worry about making good travel time. Plan to make frequent stops to give yourself and your children a break from the road. You can plan these stops around landmarks or points of interest to make the trip more interesting for everyone involved.
10. Young children often become bored during long car trips. It is a good idea to keep them occupied with car games. You can also distract them by pointing out interesting sites. Make sure to pack their favorite small toys and if you have electronics, such as tablets or iPads, be sure to load them with their favorite games and videos prior to the trip.
11. Never leave your child alone in the car. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
12. Keep an up-to-date safety kit in the car. It should include snacks, water, blankets, flashlights, and a first aid kit.

The team at Advantage Car & Credit wants to make sure you enjoy safe and happy holiday travels. If you have any questions, we would be happy to help you get ready for the winter. Give us a call at (937) 468-3668 or stop by any of our 6 locations today!