Safe Holiday Travels

Whether you’re traveling by car or plane, a bit of planning can help with safe holiday travels this winter. Our part of the country doesn’t normally get snow or ice, but it CAN happen. It’s also best to be prepared for winter travel if you’re driving to or through an area that can have wintry weather.

Before You Leave

Taking a few precautions while you’re away can prevent possible issues and give you peace of mind.

A monitored alarm system is crucial to keeping your home secure while you’re gone.
Monitored video cameras allow you to keep tabs on your property.
Turning off the water supply could prevent frozen pipes from bursting.
Automatic lighting inside and out can give the illusion that someone is home.
Arrange for a neighbor or friend to pick up your mail, packages and newspapers.

On the Road

Winter weather and distracted holiday drivers can add additional stress when traveling by car this time of year. Follow these tips for a smoother ride.

Have your car and tires inspected and all fluids topped off before your trip.
Purchase winter supplies to keep in your car in case of blocked roads or a breakdown. These include blankets, water, snacks and even kitty litter to help with traction on extra icy roadways.
Keeping the defroster on can help with fogged up windows.
Make sure to remove snow from your car before driving so it doesn’t fly off and land on someone else’s windshield!
Take it slow. Remaining in control of your car is your most important precaution. Don’t accelerate or brake too quickly to prevent sliding across lane markers and causing an accident.

In the Air

Plane travel can be extra frustrating in the winter and busy holiday times. Delays and cancellations from winter weather, along with an influx of travelers can create a feeling of chaos. Keep the following tips in mind when flying to better your odds of a smooth trip.

Stick to non-stop flights if possible. Most travel snarls come about due to missed connections from delayed flights. If you can avoid having to connect, the less room for error during your trip.
If you do have to connect, allow plenty of time between landing and taking off on the next flight.
And if a delay happens and making the connection looks iffy, research alternate flights ahead of time. You can even pay for wifi in the air to look into it. Alerting a flight attendant to your tight connection can help as well. They may help you off the plane more quickly and have the gate location for your next flight available.
Join a rental car company’s loyalty program and reserve a car ahead of time. These companies often let program members skip the line, have first choice of vehicles and even go straight to the rental car without speaking to an agent. Talk about saving time and headaches!
If you’ve got a long drive once in your rental, consider bringing some of the car supplies mentioned above for a truly safer travel experience.

All of us at Cultris Security wish you safe travels this holiday season. Contact us to help with your custom home or business security needs to have that peace of mind while you’re away.

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