Friday, May 24, 2013

Red Cross Offers Tips for Safe Holiday Travel

It’s almost Memorial Day and for many it will mean heading out on the highway to a fun destination for the long holiday weekend. The American Red Cross has some travel safety information everyone can follow to help them enjoy their trip.

With more people on the roads, it’s important to drive safely. Be well rested and alert, use your seat belts, observe speed limits and follow the rules of the road. If you plan on drinking alcohol, designate a driver who won’t drink.
Other tips for a safe trip include:
  • Give your full attention to the road. Avoid distractions such as cell phones.
  • Don’t follow another vehicle too closely.
  • Use caution in work zones.
  • Make frequent stops. 
  • Clean your vehicle’s lights and windows to help you see, especially at night.
  • Turn your headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather.
  • Don’t overdrive your headlights.
If you are traveling with your pet, the Red Cross has special advice to make your trip more enjoyable.

 Pay attention to the weather forecast for your destination. Travel and weather web sites can help you avoid storms and other regional issues that could impact your safety.
  • Don’t let your vehicle’s gas tank get too low. If you have car trouble, pull as far as possible off the highway.
  • Carry a Disaster Supplies Kit in your trunk.
  • Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.
  • Find out what disasters may occur in the place where you are traveling, especially if they are disasters you have never experienced before. Find out how you would get information in the event of a disaster (local radio systems, emergency alert systems).
DOWNLOAD FREE APPS Another thing people can do is download the free Red Cross apps for mobile devices. The first aid app puts expert advice for everyday emergency at someone’s fingertips. If you know what disasters can occur near your destination, apps are available to help. The free apps are available for direct download from the Apple or Google Play for Android app stores.

No comments:

Post a Comment