4 Ways to Prepare and Stay Safe During Winter Travel
Written By Guest Blogger: Derek Lotts
Traveling during winter has its challenges but driving on your winter holiday can be harrowing, especially in icy conditions, low temperatures and snowstorms. When you start planning your trip, it’s essential that you take every precaution to stay safe on the road.
By getting your car winter-ready, picking up a few tips on driving safely during winter and packing all the essentials, you’ll be able to deal with any type of weather Mother Nature throws your way.
If you’re planning a winter adventure this year, the following things should be considered so you can travel safely.
Know your route
The first step in your winter holiday preparation is getting to know your route as much as possible. The Internet offers a great source of relevant weather information but you should pay special attention to avalanche conditions regarding your particular route as temporary road closures are a common occurrence in the mountainous regions. Also, take a note of useful phone numbers so you could call for help if you get in trouble, such as the Department of transportation road hotline and road help.
Prepare your car for the journey
In addition to your regular car maintenance, there are a few more things you could do to winterize your car. For starters, test your car battery as it tends to lose power in low temperatures. Make sure your cooling and heating systems are in order and don’t forget about your winter tires.
It’s very important to have your tires properly inflated and in good condition. The tire pressure should be adjusted if it reduced and the tread depth should be at least 1/8 of an inch. It’s highly recommended you carry a traction control device, or have it installed before you set off. In some areas, you might get fined if you don’t have them on.
Also, check the wiper blades for any damage and replace them if necessary and add wiper fluid rated for -30 degrees. Finally, keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze.
Stock up
One of the key aspects of a successful winter trip is stocking up and the first thing you need to pack is your travel safety pack. This should include your cell phone, sand as traction aid, a tow rope, an ice scraper and a brush, a candle, and matches, a flashlight and batteries, a can of lock de-icer and a portable weather radio.
It’s also a great idea to have aftermarket car parts packed such as various hoses, fittings and engine parts in case of an emergency with your car and you need to replace a faulty part. This would mean the repair itself would take much shorter as well as your stay out in the cold.
Besides the car, you need to stock up on things for yourself as well as your body also needs proper nourishment in cold weather. You should stay away from candy bars and sugary snacks but rather go for sliced fruit and sandwiches and a full thermos of hearty stew. Also, make sure you pack a few days’ worths of water and high-energy food in a warm part of your vehicle in case you get lost and stranded for a few hours.
Take care of yourself
One thing to remember on the road is that you’re your car’s best safety feature so you need to take care of yourself and stay in good shape. If you do exercise regularly, don’t let a trip get in the way of it. You can find simple, gear-free ways to stay fit while you travel.
When you make pit stops during your trip, you’ll see countless opportunities to move your body – at a children’s playground where you can do pull-ups on jungle bars, on curbs where you can do calf raises, boardwalks will do great for lunges and even plain walls will make do for wall-sits.
Depending on your fitness level, it’s generally recommended you do each exercise for 15 to 60 seconds and if you’re feeling well and you’re not in a rush, repeat your sets for two or three times. Make sure you engage your core and breathe and don’t forget to stretch!
Finally, your mental fitness is equally important as physical so try to avoid stress as much as possible. There will also be plenty of opportunities while you travel to practice mindfulness and meditate – when you stop for a break, listen to the silence around or the birds chirping, take deep breaths, take a short walk among the trees and put your smart devices on silent. Staying fit isn’t always about moving, it’s also about being still, both physically and mentally.
When you’re embarking on a winter holiday adventure, knowledge and preparation are the keys to a successful trip. Once you cover all the steps listen here to get ready, you can spend the rest of your trip whistling “Let it Snow” instead of struggling with frostbites and snow slides.
Written By Guest Blogger: Derek Lotts
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