Monday, November 30, 2009

Family Road Trips, Preparation and Safety

It's that time of the year again. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years...all occasions that may have you making plans to take the family on the road to visit your loved ones. It is important to be organized and pack wisely for the trip, and to consider what new challenges the road can bring under these circumstances.

Staying up to date on your car's maintenance is the first step. Nothing spells a vacation disaster quite like car trouble does. If your car is serviced every 90 days or so, you should be prepared. If not, you may want to see a trustworthy mechanic. Regular oil changes and check ups are especially important, and you'll want to check your tire pressure, windshield wipers, and headlights...as well as your car's fluid levels. Fluids include motor oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid, and most importantly...the anti-freeze. It is winter after all.

You may want to consider getting a roadside assistance program for the trip as well. Many insurance companies offer this, and it is especially useful if you intend to travel alone or with small children. And while it's unlikely in this day and age...if you lack a cell phone, now would be the perfect time to get one. Even if it's a prepaid pay-as-you-go emergency phone.

Be sure to pack an emergency travel kit, even if you come fully prepared there may be some unexpected delays in receiving help if you experience car trouble. This includes tools, first aid supplies, emergency rations, water, blankets, a flashlight (and batteries), flares, a tire gauge, jumper cables and a spare tire.

Then there's the driving. All you need to do is keep a few things in mind in order to ensure the safety of you and your family. Know your route and keep yourself informed of the possible weather conditions. There are websites that are an excellent source for this information. Be well fed and drink plenty - being under nourished can lead to fatigue and reduced alertness...a very bad state to be in with icy conditions. And probably most importantly - drive slowly, and ensure smooth operation of your vehicle by reading up on how to recover from sliding.

Be sure to take frequent rest stops as well, while it may hurt the time it takes to reach your loved ones, you can never be too safe!

Stay safe and ship your car with a auto transport company.

For more helpful tips, visit us at http://www.momentumtransport.com
IP: 24.12.77.190

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