Families are reevaluating if and how they travel amid thecoronavirus pandemic.
(In fact, the CDC recentlyrecommended against traveling at allduring the Thanksgiving holiday at a press briefing.)
Taking a family road trip may be appealing once the CDC says traveling is safer.
Amrita Marino
When it comes to avoiding COVID-19, The safest travel option is not to travel.
But there are ways to reduce some of the risks (and to ultimately lower your stress levels).
Below, youll find tips to get you through any long drive.
it’s possible for you to check this on theNHTSAwebsite.
(you’re able to also find it on your vehicle registration or car insurance cards.)
Be prepared for inclement weather.
Roughly 21% of car accidents each year happen in adverse weather conditions, according to theFederal Highway Administration.
Instead, stop at a parking lot or hotel if you arent comfortable driving.
(Avoid pulling over to the shoulder, as other cars might not realize youre stopped.)
Or drive more slowly than the posted speed limit since slick roads can be dangerous.
3.Keep safety resources in your trunk.
Its worth storing some emergency supplies in your trunk in case you experience car troubles.
Get plenty of sleep before driving.
Fatigue is one of the most realistic dangers of driving for long periods of time.
Drowsy driving caused 91,000 accidents in 2017, according to theNHTSA.
For reference, a BAC of 0.08% is considered intoxicated in all states.
Dont forget the basics of road safety.
Avoid scanning the radio or using your cars navigation system while driving.
Research your route and create a playlist before you travel to eliminate these unnecessary distractions.
Same goes for things like eating and drinking: Its best to do these after pulling over somewhere safe.
Keepingyour little ones safeis undoubtedly your top priority.
One of the best ways to do that is by making sure their car seat is safe and secure.
For starters, that means using the right car seat for your childs age, weight, and height.
Car seats can be costly, but theAAPsays you should never purchase a used car seat.
(you could check recalls on theNHTSA website.
That said, more expensive car seats arent necessarily safer, according to Bender.
7. verify your car seat is installed properly.
Your car seat needs to be installed correctly to keep your child safe.
But how do you know whether your car seat isactuallyinstalled the right way?
Read through the users manual for both your car and the car seat before tackling installation.
Car seats should only be placed in the backseat, and they need to be tightly secured.
If the car seat moves more than an inch either way, then it may not be secure.
Another important note regarding car seats: Children should be placed in their car seats without bulky clothing.
Coats and heavy clothes can interfere with how well the straps keep your kids secure.
Do your best to avoid other people by leaving extra space in line.
verify to wash your hands after touching anything in public or use hand sanitizer when hand washing isnt possible.
Packing your own food is the safest way to eat when traveling, asSELF previously reported.
Your best options when dining out are drive-through or takeout.
The more time you spend around other people, the higher the COVID-19 transmission risk.
This article is presented by Volvo.
