Safety Tips for your Next Family Road Trip

With summer rearing its sunny head just on the horizon, you might well be in the planning stages for your next family road trip. If so, wherever you go, and whatever you do, we hope you have a fabulous time!

However…

Safety must always come first. You won’t be the only road tripper hitting the highways and byways this summer, and there will be loads of other vehicles on the road too. You need to ensure your car is safe and secure then, and there are other things you should take into consideration before embarking on your journey. We will list all that we can think of below.

So, without further ado, let’s begin the journey together with the following tips. 

#1: Get your car in order

Is your car fit for a long journey? It needs to be because the last thing you want to happen is a breakdown or an accident when you’re on the roads. The safety of yourself and your children is paramount, as well as that of other road users, so despite the expense, you really do need to sort out any repairs that need doing on your car before you go away. Get your tires checked too, make sure your fluid levels are topped up and get a qualified mechanic to test your car battery, especially if you haven’t had it replaced in a while. If you discover your car isn’t fit for purpose, then you might want to rent a car for your family vacation. Again, it’s an expense, but you know what they say…it’s better to be safe than sorry!

#2: Check your children’s car seats

If you have children under the age of 12, it’s a law in most places to have booster seats in place. If you haven’t purchased any yet, now is the time to do so. You need to be mindful; however, According to news sources, many seats fall short of safety regulations, so you need to do your research in advance. You also need to research other factors, such as size and comfort level, to make sure they are fit for purpose for your children. Articles such as this one, Graco 4Ever (Classic & DLX) Car Seat Review: How Does It Compare? are a must-read. While the linked article is promotional towards the Graco 4Ever, it does give you an idea of how different seats compare, and what you might want to look out for. You should also get your children’s car seats checked by a professional too, as while the seat you buy might be a good one, it needs to be fitted properly in your car. Find the nearest place for a free safety check near you by doing a Google search. 

#3: Pack an emergency kit

You must always leave room in your car for an emergency kit, so don’t leave home without it. This should include those essential items that are used in the event of a breakdown, as well as a first-aid kit and bottles of water to keep your family hydrated on your journey. As a handy guide, these are the emergency kit must-haves, so go through the list, and start to tick them off when you’re packing up your car. 

#4: Be phone smart

If there’s one thing you shouldn’t forget on your journey, it’s your phone. Load it with important numbers before you set off on your journey, including emergency contacts amongst your friends and family, and a number for a breakdown service. There are plenty of road trips apps you can download on your phone too, and where safety is concerned, you should make room for a GPS app if you don’t already have a sat-nav, as this will ensure you don’t get lost in the middle of nowhere. You should also invest in a Bluetooth hands-free kit for your car too, as putting safety first, you don’t want to be fiddling with your phone when you should be keeping your eyes on the road. 

#5: Be mindful of the sun

Don’t leave home without sufficient supplies of sunblock, as well as sun hats and even sunglasses for you and your kids. These aren’t only for outdoor use, as they should also be used in the car when temperatures are raging and the sun’s rays are glaring through the windows. You should also lay blankets over your car seats too, especially if the material is hot to the touch when the temperatures rise. You don’t want your children’s legs to burn while seated, after all. And while we probably don’t need to tell you this (but we will anyway), never ever leave your kids alone in the car. Not only is stranger danger a real issue, but if the car is boiling inside, the consequences could be fatal if your children are left for more than a few minutes. With this in mind, make sure there is plenty of cool air flowing around your car when you’re driving too. 

#6: Ensure your children don’t get bored

We say this because the last thing you want when driving is the distracting voices of your children expressing their boredom to you. You don’t want them messing around in the car either, which they might if they become fidgety and irritated by the long journey. You might only take your attention off the road, and that could have perilous consequences. Therefore, find ways to entertain your children on the road trip. There are some useful ideas in the linked article, and you are sure to find many more tips when you do your own Google search online. It’s a good idea to have plenty of breaks too. Not only is this essential for trips to the loo and opportunities to stretch your legs when you feel them cramping up, but it’s a good way to make a long journey more interesting for your kids as well.

Finally

Taking all of the above into consideration, you are sure to have a safer time on your road trip. We hope our suggestions were useful to you, but please do share any further ideas you might have with us.

Thanks for reading, and have a happy summer!

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