Are you planning on travelling during the festive season? Here are some things to keep in mind so that you and your family stay safe wherever you decide to venture.

Planning rules

If you don’t plan to use a GPS on your journey, make sure you are aware of your route and plan your trip so that you don’t get lost along the way. For piece of mind, stick to highways and main roads. Planning is vital, especially for long trips. If you plan to stay over along the way, do research to check where lodges, hotels and petrol stations are located. When you embark on long journeys like these, it is always wise to notify a friend or family member so that they know your whereabouts and progress.

Car safety

Most importantly, make sure everyone in the vehicle has their seat belt strapped on. Children under the age of 12 should be in the back of the vehicle,  in a car seat or booster seat (depending on the age and weight of the child), and strapped with a seat belt. Babies should travel in a rear-facing car seat in the back of the car.

Travelling with kids

Road trips are fun and should be memorable and exciting. However, travelling with children can sometimes be quite tough. Make sure you have enough to keep the kids busy. Consider things like audio books or DVD players. Another option is colouring books and portable board games; however. Keep in mind that these things should be avoided if your child is prone to motion sickness. It might even be worth purchasing motion sickness tablets before your road trip.

Don’t forget

You will definitely need your driver’s license, also make sure that your car licence disk is up to date and valid. If your car doesn’t already come with one, purchase a First Aid kit and stash it in your car. Place all your valuables in the boot and keep things like your wallet and cellphone tucked away in your cubby hole or side panels of your car door. Snacks and games, CDs or audio books to keep you busy and to keep you sane should be close at hand. Lastly, emergency contact numbers should be saved on your phone or somewhere you can easily find. Make sure you have the correct contact details in case of an emergency.

Wherever you are off to this holiday, stay safe!