Many Americans travel during the Thanksgiving holiday, whether they’re taking a short drive to friends or family member’s house for dinner or traveling a few days for a cross country road trip. If you plan on leaving home for Thanksgiving, the safety of you and your family is important. Big Splash Car Wash recommends these safety tips to follow when traveling for Thanksgiving this year.
Check the weather – If you are driving, make sure you look at the weather forecast. The last thing you want is to get stuck in a storm. Try to avoid driving in bad weather if possible to avoid traffic delays and road hazards.
Avoid the busiest days – The day before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after are two of the busiest travel days of the year. Because there will be more people on the road, there will also be a higher risk. Consider making the drive on less busy days, such as Monday, Tuesday or even Thursday morning if possible. Instead of leaving on Sunday, consider leaving on the Friday after Thanksgiving – or Black Friday – when everyone is shopping instead of driving.
Leave early – Whether you’re packing, driving to your destination or making a pit stop, leave yourself some extra time. Remember, a lot of people will be traveling on the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, which means there may be more people on the road. If you’re running late, you may be more tempted to drive faster, which is dangerous if you exceed the speed limit in highly congested areas.
Have your car inspected – Before you hit the road, take your car into your mechanic to have it inspected. This will ensure that your car is safe to drive, especially if you’re driving a long distance. You may also want to have your oil changed and your tires rotated.
Get a Car Wash – Be sure to stop by Big Splash Car Wash to get a car wash before you start you trip. Professional car washes can increase fuel efficiency by removing debris that interferes with the aero dynamics of the car.
Pack an emergency kit – It doesn’t matter whether you’re driving a half an hour or a half a day, you should always have an emergency kit in your car – especially during the end of fall and winter seasons. Your emergency kit should include bottled water, dried food, dry pet food (if you have a pet), blankets, flashlights, a portable radio, extra batteries and a first-aid kit.
Charge your phone – Make sure your phone is fully charged before you begin your trip. If you break down on the side of the road, you can call for help as well as alert family and friends. You will also ensure you don’t lose your GPS directions and be less likely to fidget with your phone charger while driving.
Don’t drink and drive – If you plan on having a few drinks during Thanksgiving dinner, don’t drive that night. Have a plan for a designated driver that hasn’t been drinking. Not only can you endanger your life and the lives of anyone else in your car, but also the lives of anyone sharing the road with you.
Don’t post that you’re leaving on social media – It’s tempting to post everything you do on social media but telling the world that you’ll be gone during Thanksgiving weekend may not be the best idea. That information can end up in the wrong hands and that person may decide Thanksgiving is the opportune time to break into your home. In fact, many burglars actually use social media in order to identify unoccupied homes to break into.
Double check your home before leaving – Make sure your stove is off and that all the doors and windows are properly locked before you leave. Double check your bathrooms for running faucets.
Make it look like you’re at home – If you’re going to be gone for more than a few days, consider having a neighbor pick up your mail for you. A stack of uncollected mail in your mailbox or at your front door is a sure sign to burglars that no one is at home. You may also want to consider putting your lights on a timer to make it look like someone’s home at night.
If you’re like many of the Americans that are traveling during Thanksgiving, Big Splash Car Wash wishes you safe travels. Be sure to follow these safety tips for easy holiday travel. Have a happy Thanksgiving, from our Big Splash family to yours!