Safety Steps When You Go Away
Yay – You’re Going Away!But before we pack up the station wagon and take the family out on the “Holiday Road”, let’s make sure we are prepared. Travel safety begins before you even leave the house. From making sure your home is secure to brushing up on travel restrictions wherever you’re going. As with anything, having a plan will set you up for (travel) success. Secure Your Home Before You GoGive your house that lived-in look. Statistics show that burglaries tend to rise in the summer months, which is peak vacation time for most of us. And thieves know the best time to strike is when your home is vacant.Here are some steps you can take to tighten security before you leave.
- Tell a neighbor your travel plans. Ask them to help keep an eye on your property and alert you if there is any suspicious activity.
- Lock all your windows and doors. Don’t forget about doors leading to the garage or second-story windows.
- Depending on how long you will be away consider having your newspaper and mail delivery stopped. A stack of mail and newspapers are signs that nobody’s home. You can temporarily stop delivery by contacting your newspaper carrier and the United States Post Office.
- If you don’t use a landscape company, then maybe find a neighborhood kid who can take of it for you while you are away. An overgrown lawn or unshoveled walkway is a dead giveaway that no one’s at home.
- Don’t post your travel plans on social media (save all those photos for when you return)—if a burglar spots your post, it can turn your home into a target.
Travel Safety For The Whole FamilyEveryone is different including you and the members of your family. Make sure you have taken everyone into consideration- things like age or ability when planning your trip. Make sure everyone who’s traveling with you is safe and comfortable with these family safety travel tips.Travel safety tips for kids and babies
- Bring a car seat. Whether you’re driving or flying, youngsters that require a car seat need to have one during vacation. If you’re flying and have a lot of stops, it might make sense to invest in a lightweight car seat that’s easy to move from plane to plane. And make sure your car seat is FAA approved.
- Pack sanitizing wipes. Wipes make it easy to disinfect anything your child touches (including themselves) when you’re on the go. Wipe down chairs, tables, airplane trays, and toys—especially if you have a little one that likes to stick everything in their mouth.
- Consider a GPS tracker. It doesn’t take a pandemic to make us panic if we lose sight of a child in an unfamiliar or crowded place. Make things easier on your blood pressure and safer for your little one with a kids GPS tracker that lets you keep an eye on that tiny wanderer no matter where they go.
- Snacks – some healthy, some not, no matter where you go or for how long inevitably someone in your crew is going to get hungry or thirsty, which is a sure-fire step to being cranky. And nobody wants to travel with anyone who is cranky.
Safety Tips For Air TravelAirports are full of people, all rushing to catch a plane or make a connection. Here are some travel tips to help you safely navigate the airport anytime you decide to fly.
- Watch your bags. You need to keep a close eye on your luggage at all times, even once you board the plane.
- Team up. If you’re traveling alone, try to find someone in line to befriend. This is someone who could watch your luggage while at the counter or going through security.
- Protect your laptop. When going through security, put your laptop on the x-ray belt last. This way, your laptop will come out after your carryon luggage and hopefully about the time you are cleared. You don’t want your laptop in the open for too long.Store your carry-on nearby. On the airplane, if you don’t put your luggage under the seat in front of you, put it in the overhead bin across the aisle from you. You’ll be able keep an eye on your bag during the flight to ensure nobody is opening your luggage.
- Don’t be shy. If you see an empty row or end up next to someone who’s sneezing or coughing a lot, ask if you can move to a different seat. This is no time to hesitate. It’s perfectly acceptable for you to look out for your own health.
Be Road Trip ReadyMaybe air travel isn’t your thing, or you are still a little about COVID-19, so you rplan is to hit the highway this year. Here are some tips to help you stay on the road with your vacation this year.
- Water. We might sound like a broken record, but you need to stay hydrated even when you’re not out climbing a mountain or frolicking on the beach. And, if your car breaks down or overheats, extra stores of water can be a lifesaver. For drinking, make sure to restock water regularly so plastic and other toxins don’t leach in.
- First Aid. Make sure your travel first aid kit is in tip-top shape with basics like antibacterial ointment, bandages, gauze, and an emergency blanket.
- Car Seats. Before you hit the open road, give your baby car seats and booster seats a safety check. Make sure child restraints are installed correctly and double-check that everyone still has the proper protection for their weight and height.
- Fire Extinguisher. You’re never going to miss having a fire extinguisher in your car until you need one. Be prepared to stop a small blaze from growing out of control with a car fire extinguisher. Look for one with a secure mounting bracket for safe travel.
- Pet Restraints. Kiddos aren’t the only ones who need to be secured in a moving vehicle. Make sure your four-legged friends can travel safely too. Whether you choose a buckle-in harness or tie down a crate in the back, don’t pull out of the driveway without the right car safety setup for your fur babies.
While On VacationYou’ve successfully navigated the airport and now you’ve landed safety at your destination. Don’t relax on safety just yet. Whether at a theme park or at a fancy resort, there are a few safety precautions that you can take to make sure you’re as safe as possible.
- Stay off social media (or limit the shares to family & friends only). You don’t want to be tipping criminals off by sharing too much information on your social networks. Refrain from posting photos, status updates, or “checking in” while on vacation. Even if you have the highest security settings on Facebook and Twitter, your personal information could still be seen by unwanted eyes.
- Tell friends and family at home your itinerary. It’s a good idea to tell family and friends about your plans. Always let someone know when you’re expected to be back and what route you’re planning to take.
- Keep cash and credit cards in separate places. Never carry your credit cards, cash, and passport at the same time. You’ll want to keep some cash in your wallet, and then stash the rest in a pocket or money pouch. If you have a safe in your hotel room, leave the majority of your cash there and only bring what you’ll need for the day.
- Make a copy of your passport. You’ll want to make two copies of your passport. Leave one copy at home with a trusted friend or family member and take another copy with you. When you go out sightseeing, take the copy with you and leave the original in a hotel safe until you are ready to travel again.
- Do a security sweep of your hotel room. Always keep your hotel door locked and never answer it for someone you don’t know. If you can, try to get a room near the front desk or the elevator.
CORONAVIRUS ConcernsTravel can increase your risk of getting infected or spreading COVID-19 to others. Don’t let the coronavirus ruin your getaway. Even with the easing of the spread it isstill a good idea to take some steps before you leave to minimize your risk during vacation.
- Check coronavirus trends. Find out if coronavirus infections are spreading both where you’re traveling from and at your destination. This can help you decide what risk you may pose to others and the risk they may pose to you.
- Research coronavirus restrictions. See if the city, county, or state where you’re going has any restrictions on visitors.
- Stock up on essentials. Make sure you have plenty of hand sanitizer and face masks. We recommend carrying a ziplock or other reusable bag where you can easily store and retrieve face coverings, sanitizing wipes, and hand sanitizer. This way, if you have to take off your mask, you won’t lay it on a surface or throw it in a pocket or bag. It also makes it easier to sanitize your hands without touching everything in your bag.
GOT QUESTIONS? ASK US. WE CAN HELP WITH THAT!The ARIES Foudnation for Financial Education,Inc. is a nonprofit trying to help everyone have a better relationship with their money. Check out our website www,ariesfoundation,org to learn more, or you can visit our Youtube Channel to see some of our past “Think With A Drink” episodes https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8XA1to8IHXsqsrGfWfRaHA