Nothing can put the damper on holiday travel faster than treacherous winter weather or canceled flights. For those planning long-distance travel, staying safe should be a top priority.
Better Business Bureau serving Northern Colorado and Wyoming offers the following tips:
Travel by car:
Create a car safety kit. Holiday driving often includes the threat of dangerous winter weather. Snow and ice can lead to accidents, car troubles, long delays and road closures. Prepare for bad weather by bringing along one or more blankets, flares, flashlight with extra batteries, radio, first aid kit, cellphone with an extra charged battery and charger, jumper cables, nonperishable food such as granola bars and nuts, bottled water, an ice scraper and warm gloves.
Take the car in for a checkup. If your car is due for routine maintenance or oil change, take it in before making that long haul, and check to see if your tires are up to winter conditions. If not, check our website below for a list of area tire dealers.
Drop the distractions. When you’re behind the wheel, don’t text and drive; if you must talk on your phone, use a hands-free headset and put someone else in charge of the GPS.
Start early and slow down.The best way to fight holiday travel stress is to allow extra time. The increased number of travelers means longer lines through security check in and more cars on the road.
Travel by air:
Make sure you are organized. Plane travel can get overwhelming, especially when traveling with kids. Make sure you have all the necessary documents including plane tickets, identification and itineraries.
Look into the requirements of your airline. Different airlines have different ways of handling luggage, and many charge extra to check a bag. Also, airport security has strict rules about what be packed in carry-on bags. Check in advance to avoid problems through security checkpoints.
Plan ahead for airport parking. Before heading to the airport, check out rates and availability at airport parking lots. If traveling for an extended time, it may be more cost effective to find alternative transportation to the airport, such as shuttles.
Start With Trust. For more consumer tips and information, visit the Northern Colorado BBB Website.