December is typically one of the busiest months for travel and 2023 should be the busiest in years. AAA projects 115.2 million Americans will head 50 miles or more from home during the 10-day year-end holiday travel period, which would be the largest number of travelers since 2019. With so many people traveling, the potential for accident injuries increases exponentially. To help you and your family stay safe, the personal injury lawyers at Lerner and Rowe offer the following holiday travel tips.
Holiday Travel Tips Before Leaving the House
Many travelers are anxious about getting to their destination safely and on time. Much of this anxiety can be reduced or eliminated simply by preparing ahead of time.
Protect Your Home
It’s easy to forget about what’s happening at home when you leave for vacation. But doing so can leave you vulnerable to theft. Before you go, make sure your home will be safe in your absence.
- Ask a trusted friend or neighbor to check on your house while you’re away. This could be as simple as bringing in the mail every day and watering your plants. The idea here is that thieves will be on the lookout for empty homes during the Christmas holiday to burglarize. Having a neighbor check on your property can keep up the appearance that someone is home.
- Consider installing motion sensor lights in your driveway or backyard to further dissuade potential burglars from breaking into your home.
- Automate a light or two on in the kitchen or a front-facing window to make your house seem occupied. Using an old-fashioned socket timer or new solutions like Apple HomeKit, Google Home, or Z-Wave can create the illusion that you’re home.
- Don’t forget to arm your alarm system if you have one when you leave.
Prepare for the Unexpected
If you’re driving: even the most reliable of vehicles sometimes experience unexpected problems like a flat tire or dead battery. You can prevent many unpleasant roadside blunders with some simple holiday travel tips and preparations.
- Thoroughly inspect your vehicle before you hit the road, especially if it’s a long drive.
- Fill your gas tank before leaving town, check your tire pressure, and ensure that your turn signals, headlights, brakelights, and windshield wipers are in working order.
- Purchase or assemble an emergency kit that contains first aid items, a flashlight, road flares, non-perishable food, blankets, sturdy shoes, and water in case you get stranded.
Related: 5 Essential Items For Your Car Accident Emergency Kit
If you’re flying: Even frequent flyers are sometimes blindsided by the unexpected when they set out for the airport. If you’re flying on peak days near Christmas, expect major delays from the highway to the runway. When it comes to air travel during the holidays, you should hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
- Make sure your carry-on bag complies with up-to-date TSA regulations, including liquid restrictions and prohibited items.
- Confirm that all luggage is securely closed, doesn’t exceed any airline weight limits, and that your bags are tagged with your contact information before you get to the airport.
- Schedule a rideshare like Uber or Lyft to pick you up early if you’re worried about finding long-term parking so you aren’t delayed by packed parking garages.
- Ensure your plane ticket and identification are within easy reach. If you’re concerned about forgetting either one, place them under your keys so you can’t miss them while you’re leaving.
Bonus holiday travel tips: bring TSA compliant snacks in addition to an empty reusable water bottle in your carry-on so that you don’t go hungry or thirsty if your flight is delayed. You can also pack a power bank for your phone or other electronic devices and a good book to help pass the time.
Staying Safe During Your Holiday Travels
The pre-departure jitters are behind you. You’re behind the wheel or at the airport. So what’s next? The journey ahead of you may be long, crowded, and even dangerous if you’re not careful. Check out these on-the-way holiday travel tips to stay safe.
Stay Alert
If you’re driving: If you have a long drive ahead of you, it’s more important than ever to stay alert on your journey. Drivers around you may be in a hurry, but you should still obey posted speed limits and move over for faster cars or emergency vehicles when possible.
- Don’t engage with aggressive drivers. If you find yourself getting riled up, take a deep breath and remind yourself not to take other drivers’ actions personally. They are probably as stressed about holiday travel as you are. If all else fails, pull over safely until you can collect yourself. Report overly-aggressive, erratic, or threatening drivers to law enforcement.
- Drive only when you’re rested. Keep in mind that drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence, and take breaks as needed to recharge or take a short nap. It may also help to drive in shifts if you’re traveling with adults. While caffeinated drinks may help to some extent, they often only mask the symptoms of sleep deprivation.
- Do not tailgate, and always pass semi-trucks safely—remember, truck drivers may not always be able to see you. Seasoned and young drivers alike can brush up on their skills with these holiday driving tips.
If you’re flying: Luckily, flying is one of the safest methods of transportation around. You’re far more likely to be injured in a car accident on the way to the airport than to be involved in a commercial plane crash. Still, it’s important to stay alert from the time you get to the airport to the time you land.
- Keep an eye on your belongings when you’re in the airport. Avoid keeping important documents, money, or identification cards in your back pocket where a thief could easily snag them. Watch out for tripping hazards and take care when using elevators or escalators.
- Be wary of suspicious activity. Report unattended bags in the security line or at your gate to airport security immediately. Keep an eye out for your closest emergency exits as you make your way through each area of the airport.
- Secure your carry-on luggage in overhead bins carefully once you’re on the plane. They should not stick out or exceed weight limits per airline regulation.
- Securely fasten your seat belt whenever you’re seated, even if the seat belt light isn’t on. If the plane experiences unexpected turbulence, you won’t have to worry about struggling with the clasp and potentially injuring yourself.
- Follow all instructions from your flight crew. Before takeoff, pay close attention to the information card in your front seat pocket and any instructions given to you by flight attendants. No matter how often you fly, emergency procedures may vary by airline and aircraft. Memorize emergency exits and pay close attention to communications from the pilot and crew.
Check out our other blogs for even more great holiday travel tips to stay safe during your Christmas vacation.
Injured While Traveling? Contact Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys.
If you have been injured while traveling during the holidays, Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys can help. Contact us today for a free consultation and to find out if you may be eligible for compensation. You can reach us by phone at 844-977-1900 , chat with us online, or submit your free case evaluation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys has a proven track record of winning billion-dollar results for more than 150,000 injury victims across the country. Additionally, our team is genuinely committed to helping clients carry the emotional burden of their injuries–a major reason why we’ve garnered stellar reviews from our clients. Remember, one call does it all. A call to Lerner and Rowe may be the most important one you’ll ever make.