As the big Canada 150 weekend gets underway many people will be travelling about to see family, to go to festivities or even to go to Ottawa! Before you hit the road make sure you’re prepared for your adventures so you have a fun and safe weekend.
Before you venture off with your family on your road trip, be sure you are prepared for an emergency. In every emergency kit it is important to have a first aid kit. You can buy a ready-made kit from a hardware store or you can make it yourself, just be sure that you have all the necessities! Should accident strike it is always best to be prepared, so you should add: a flash light, a spare cell phone charger, fluorescent cones, jumper cables, batteries, tire changing tools, and a spare tire to your kit. More importantly it is good to know how to change a tire before going out on the road, YouTube can’t help you if your phone is dead or you are in a dead zone. It’s also good to pack water bottles, non-perishable snacks, and warm blankets in case you’re stranded for a while. Finally, it might seem like a lot but, including jumper cables in your kit is a must; you never know when you’ll need them or when you’ll have to help out a friend.
When you’re getting ready to pack for your vacation you should resist the urge to pack everything in sight, packing light is the key to an enjoyable and safe road trip. When you get into your vehicle and you’re almost ready to drive, make sure you are able to see out of every mirror and can safely check your blind spots. If you are unable to see out of your mirrors you should consider buying a rooftop cargo carrier or simply leave the unnecessary items behind. Keep heavy items closest to the ground and strapped down if necessary. If you need to stop abruptly those heavy items will become projectiles and could potentially hit you or your kids.
Make time to get your car in for a check-up because you wouldn’t want to be driving in a remote town and realise that your air conditioner is no longer working. Checking your tires and breaks in the tune-up is a must, as well making sure all of your lights are in working order so you aren’t driving in the dark on a road that you aren’t familiar with.
When was the last time you topped up your wiper fluid, checked your brake fluid or transmission fluid? Make sure everything is in good standing before you venture off and are in a sticky situation.
If you and your family are driving for any length of time it is good to invest in shades for the back seat if you have small children as the sun could burn their skin through the window. A cheap alternative is to cover the windows with an old blanket, it works just as well. Don’t forget your sunscreen for your destination!
http://www.readersdigest.ca/cars/road-trips/10-rules-safe-road-trips/7/
http://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/ideas/7-safety-tips-for-your-next-road-trip/