Top Safety Tips for Traveling for Christmas

Staying at home is not an option for many of us during the Christmas holiday, which we like to spend with our nearest and dearest. However, when the holiday season is in full swing, many of us dread the crowded airports and chaotic roads, and with good reason.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the Christmas holiday sees a higher average crash fatality rate than any other winter holiday. Accidents, such as slips and falls, may also be more likely to occur at busy airports and public transit stations. If the worst happens, and you suffer an injury due to another’s fault, a personal injury lawyer at Morgan & Morgan could help you get justice.

We don’t want you to spend Christmas in the hospital. Fortunately, some easy steps can help reduce holiday travel stress and prevent injuries. Read on to discover how to stay safe this Christmas and avoid accidents such as slips and falls and car crashes.

Factor the Weather Into Your Christmas Road Trip

Every year, people get hurt during what should be the most wonderful time of the year. However, many of these accidents and injuries are avoidable. One of the best ways to prevent accidents and injuries is to be well-prepared for winter weather, especially if you are traveling through any states affected by ice and snow.

Staying Warm in Winter Weather

During the Christmas holiday, many parts of the country experience typical winter weather, including low temperatures, ice on roads, and snow accumulations. The cold weather is not only a hazard for road travel but can also cause cold injuries, particularly in older adults and young babies.

Wearing several layers can help to retain body heat during the colder seasons. Those traveling on the roads should always keep warm blankets and a flashlight in their cars in case of an emergency, such as a car breaking down or an unexpected traffic jam.

Make Sure Your Car Is Safe

Before you embark on a long car journey this Christmas, ensure that your car is up to scratch. Essential car winter maintenance and preparation can include:

• Check oil and fuel levels regularly
• Clean your lights of dirt and salt deposits
• Test your battery
• Replace worn or defective tires before traveling longer distances
• Depending on your area of travel, consider getting winter tires or snow chains
• Ensure your windscreen wipers are in good condition
• Top-up on windscreen wiper fluid
• Check your brakes
• Book your car in for a service before traveling
• Carry ice scrapers in your vehicle

When traveling, secure children in the appropriate child safety seats and always wear your seatbelt. Importantly, never get into a vehicle if the driver seems drunk or under the influence of drugs.

Plan Your Route Ahead of Time

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents. Playing with your phone or the GPS while driving can be distracting and cause a collision. If you don’t want to put yourself or your loved ones at risk, play it safe and plan your route before setting off.  

Before starting your drive, input your destination into the cell phone or GPS and review your route, so you know which roads you will be using and where you are heading. If you have a passenger, you could ask them to help with navigation during the drive so you don’t have to look at the phone or GPS and can pay full attention to the traffic.

Avoid Airport Stress and Accidents

If you are hoping to avoid traffic chaos by traveling by plane, you may be in for a surprise. The airports practically burst at the seams before and after the Christmas holiday, with traffic chaos in parking garages and passengers and airline crew rushing from one terminal to another. During the busiest travel days of the year, accidents such as car collisions and slips and falls can be more common than during quieter travel times. Ways to reduce stress and accident-proof your airport time include:

Set Off Early for the Airport

Leaving plenty of time between arriving at the airport and your flight time can reduce stress, worry, and accidents. While it can be tempting to hit the snooze button and turn around in bed once more, getting out of the door as soon as possible can make your Christmas travel much more relaxed. Having time to spare means you won’t have to worry about getting into slow-moving traffic or feel you have to speed to catch your plane. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding is responsible for around a third of all traffic fatalities in the country.

However, if someone else caused an accident, and you suffered injuries and car damage, you could be entitled to compensation. Morgan & Morgan offers free consultations, allowing you to determine your legal rights and the next best steps for getting what you deserve.

Keep Children Entertained

The long lines and endless waiting can be particularly exhausting and boring for our little ones. Make sure to pack plenty of snacks for the children in your party, as you may get stuck in long check-in lines without being able to purchase food and drink.

Keeping children entertained can make your life a lot easier while navigating airport terminals and waiting to board the plane. Simple games such as “I spy” can help to pass the time. If your plane is severely delayed, and you need to kill time, try finding the children’s play area, which most larger airports have.

Prevent Slip and Fall Accidents

Airports can be full of hazards that could cause falls and injuries, potentially ruining your Christmas holiday. Hazardous conditions at airports and in planes can include:  

• Spillages in food courts
• Bulging carpets
• Loose mats
• Wet and slippery restroom floors
• Defective escalators and elevators
• Objects falling from overhead lockers in planes
• Cracked and uneven sidewalks outside terminals
• Slippery walkways

To avoid getting hurt, identify any hazards, such as wet floors, spillages, and defective escalators, and try to navigate them slowly and safely. Refrain from rushing or running, which can cause falls and injuries, especially when carrying or wheeling luggage.

If you or a loved one suffered a slip and fall injury due to an airport authority’s carelessness, you could be entitled to compensation. Morgan & Morgan’s personal injury lawyers could help you get justice and compensation.

Avoid Injuries From Dangerous or Defective Toys

During holiday travel, we are usually more carefree than usual. While our homes may be childproofed from top to bottom, with electric appliances and defective toys safely locked away, a family member’s home may be differently organized. To prevent injuries to children during the holidays, consider the following:

• Only let your children play with toys that are age appropriate
• Avoid items with small lithium batteries that young children could swallow
• Make sure all medicines and cleaning products are safely out of children’s reach

Finally, it can be an excellent idea to check toy recall lists. This way, you can ensure not to gift a toy with a safety defect. You can find lists of recalled toys on various websites, including Safe Kids Worldwide.