This year 100.5 million travelers are expected to travel on average 50 miles from home.                 _{(via NewsRoom.AAA.com)} 

Of these 100.5 million travelers, 90.8% are expected to travel via car as opposed to plane or train. As you are planning your holiday travel, we encourage you to review these safety tips to ensure your family arrives to your destination(s) safely.

Prepare

Don’t wait until the last minute to make sure your car is safe for travel. If you find that your vehicle needs a repair, contact a trusted mechanic to fix the issues before you leave. Don’t risk breaking down along the side of the highway – depending on your route, a repair service may be several miles away, which can severely delay their response. Be sure you have a winter emergency kit put together and on-hand. Your kit should include battery-powered radio and flashlight, extra batteries, jumper cables, a fire extinguisher, water, nonperishable food, first-aid kit, maps, and a spare tire. When preparing your kit for the winter you need to include these additional items:

• Blankets and/or additional clothing
• Kitty litter, salt, or sand to help with traction
• Ice scraper
• Small shovel
• Extra windshield fluid

Prevent

Having your vehicle inspected before a long drive through the harsh winter weather is the best thing you can do to help ensure a safe arrival. When having a winter inspection done on your vehicle, be sure to have the following checked:

• Heaters, defrosters, and wipers
• Battery charging system for optimum performance
• Tire tread & tire pressure
• Brakes
• Exhaust system
• Exterior & interior lights
• Oil & oil filter

Keeping your gas tank at least half full will decrease the chances of the gas line freezing.

Plan

When traveling this holiday season, plan out your route as well as alternate route to take in case of an accident. If you’re traveling longer distances than you normally do, think about booking a hotel at a midway point. Rest areas that are located right off the highway are a great place to stop, stretch your legs, or catch a short nap. Also, keep your cell phone fully charged in case of an emergency.

Preparing, preventing, and planning in advance of your holiday travels should help avoid car troubles, allowing you to get to your destination safely. Happy holidays!

About Woodard Cleaning & Restoration

Woodard Cleaning & Restoration was founded in 1946 by Earl and Nancy Woodard. Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Woodard services the greater metro area (Illinois, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, St. Louis County, and many more). Woodard is proud to serve as the preferred provider for cleaning & restoration services. Our cleaning services include carpet, hard surface, furniture, and rug cleaning for both residential and commercial properties. We also provide water, fire, board-up, storm and smoke restoration services for residential and commercial clients. For information or questions submit a form online or call us at 314-227-3932.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Updated 4/26/2018