Holiday Travel Safety Tips

The holiday season is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and staying safe on the road or in the air is more important than ever. Our holiday travel safety tips are designed to help families in and around Phoenix prepare for a smooth and secure journey. 

From checking your vehicle before a road trip to navigating airports with children, these Phoenix family travel tips will ensure you and your loved ones can focus on enjoying the holidays rather than worrying about accidents, delays, or unexpected mishaps.

Whether you’re driving across the state or flying to visit relatives, planning ahead and following practical safety guidelines can make all the difference. In this guide, we cover essential steps for keeping your family safe, protecting your belongings, and minimizing risks during your holiday travels.

Road Trip Safety

• Make sure your vehicle is in good running condition before leaving.  This includes proper tire pressure and completing any necessary maintenance.
• Leave early to avoid holiday traffic.
• Research weather conditions along your route and plan accordingly.
• Travel with an emergency kit that includes first aid supplies, bottled water, food, necessary medications and pain/fever relievers, reliable flashlights, blankets, flares, and other important items.
• Keep valuables out of sight when traveling.
• Take your cell phone and charger, but do not text while driving.  Use hands-free services or find a safe place to park if you need to use your phone.
• Remind children not to talk to strangers.
• Many places follow heightened safety measures so carry a mask with you and, if applicable, your COVID-19 vaccination card.

Traveling by Plane

• Arrive at the airport early.
• Have your photo ID and boarding pass readily accessible.
• Pack light and take important items, like medication, in your carry-on bag.
• Bring food, snacks, and water with you in case you are unexpectedly stuck on the plane for an extended period.
• Allow enough time between flights so you do not miss your connection.
• Keep valuables out of sight when traveling.
• Remind children not to talk to strangers.
• Many airlines and destinations follow heightened safety measures so carry a mask with you and, if applicable, your COVID-19 vaccination card.

Other Safety Tips

• Be careful when using social media while traveling. Posts about your travel plans or current location alert potential thieves that you are not home. This invites burglars to visit your home or stalkers to visit your location. Consider obscuring your location or delaying social posts.
• Do not carry large amounts of cash.
• Keep your wallet, cell phone, purse, and hotel keys in a secure place. Pickpockets are highly skilled at dispossessing you of wallets, money, and cell phones. Consider putting a rubber band around your wallet and other items in your pocket to make it more difficult to slide out. Ensure your purse is securely closed and that outside pockets are empty.
• Avoid dimly lit areas, especially when using ATMs or pulling out your wallet.
• Use all available door locks in your hotel and put valuables in the in-room safe.
• If possible, travel with others.

Get more holiday travel safety tips from the National Safety Council.

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About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 24 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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