Last Updated on April 19, 2017
Road trips are a fun, budget-friendly way to spend quality time with your kids, and more and more families are hitting the open road this travel season. Whether your destination is a few miles down the road or on the other side of the country, follow these tips to make sure your family remains safe and happy during your travels.
Prepare with Care: Nothings stunts the fun of a road trip like car trouble, so take care to schedule a diagnostic check on any vehicles that you’ll be taking with you prior to the big day. Make sure your tires are filled to optimal air pressure, your belts are tight and your fluids are full. It’s also a good idea to fill an extra gas can to keep in your trunk in the event that your tank runs low.
Tune-Up Your Car Seats: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 80 percent of child car seats are installed improperly. Avoid contributing to this scary statistic by contacting your local fire department for a car seat inspection. Most departments provide the service free of charge, and they’ll make sure your car seats are installed correctly and in safe working order for your most precious cargo.
Pack Emergency Supplies: Since you never know what type of situation you may encounter on a road trip, it is essential to maintain a fully stocked emergency kit in the car. Your kit should include one bottle of water per family member, one warm blanket per family member, a high powered flashlight and extra batteries, jumper cables, emergency flares, an extra cell phone charger and a basic first aid kit. Be sure to include any prescription medications your family relies on, too.
Remember Sun Screen: Don’t underestimate the power of the sun’s ultraviolet rays coming through your car windows. While most people remember to bring sunglasses for children, an application of sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 is also essential for safe and comfortable trips with kids.
Get Plenty of Sleep: Preparing for a family vacation, especially a road trip, make for sleepless nights leading up to the trip. Drowsy drivers are far more likely to become involved in a traffic accident, so the best way to keep your family safe is to get a good night’s sleep before you set off on your trip. Parents who are well-rested are less likely to doze off while driving and better able to avoid dangerous drivers on the road.
Keep the Kids Entertained: If you want to avoid the extra stress of restless kids in the backseat, find ways to keep them entertained throughout the trip. Pack fun snacks, car games and coloring books. Play DVDs if your car allows for it, or bring a portable movie player along for the trip. When possible, bring along age-appropriate books with interesting information about your destinations, and help your kids remain excited about the sites they’ll see.
With a little extra planning, you can ensure that your kids remain safe and happy on your next family trip.
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This has been a guest post from Skedaddle Car Hire, visit their site to check out plenty of tips to keep your road trips smooth and safe.
