5 Safety Tips for Holiday Travelling

Don’t Travel if You’re Sick 

COVID is going around again—and that’s not all. The holiday season is also flu season where all the sickness and colds are out and about. If you are sick, it may be a good idea to postpone your travel plans or make other plans. In some cases, it can actually be dangerous to get on an airplane while sick. For example, if you happen to have not only a cold, but full-blown pneumonia, getting on a plane can be incredibly dangerous. Due to lower levels of oxygen, and changes in air pressure, those with pneumonia can be at an increased risk for complications such as pulmonary embolism. Pneumonia is also contagious, and it can spread to other vulnerable people on a plane. Babies and elderly passengers may be more likely to experience serious complications due to illnesses such as pneumonia and RSV. If you are sick, it may be a good idea to consider postponing your travel plans.  

Consult Your Doctor if You’re Immunocompromised 

If you are immunocompromised, it may be important to consult your doctor and discuss your travel plans with your doctor. If you are immunocompromised, getting in an enclosed space with a bunch of strangers during a time where there’s an increased rate of illness may be incredibly dangerous. While there are vaccines to protect against illness and disease, many people who are immunocompromised may be unable to receive those vaccines. It’s also important for those who are immunocompromised to discuss other risks with their doctor. For example, not only should you discuss your travel plans, but you should also discuss your plans once you arrive at your destination. Are you going to be seeing your grandchildren who may have been exposed to illness at school? Are you attending a large family gathering where any number of individuals may have been exposed to illness? Your doctor can help you determine a plan to help keep you safe from illness. 

Now May Not Be the Time for a Road Trip 

Most people don’t look outside at the falling snow and think, “Wow, I’d love to be driving in that!” Understandably, the fall and winter holidays are not always the best time for a road trip, especially if snow is forecasted, or you’re going to be driving through an area that’s got a reputation for getting a lot of snow and/or ice. Many people underestimate the road conditions in places like the Midwest. People from areas that get lots of snow may be unaware of just how dangerous the roads can be in areas where there’s no snow. Many Midwest states experience a lot of hail, ice, and sleet. It’s not uncommon for people in those states not to drive despite getting less than an inch of snow. This is often because the ice can be so dangerous. Even if you’re not travelling somewhere like the North Pole, remember that there may be a lot of ice—and your car might not be prepared for that. 

Plan for the Weather 

Not everyone lives right next to the airport—in fact, many people don’t. If you’re going to travel an hour or so to get to the airport, make sure you factor in weather-related delays in your travel. Remember, it’s never a good idea to start speeding through a snowstorm in order to get to the airport in time. In some cases, you may have to consider embarking on your trip to the airport sooner than the day of in order to ensure your safety. For example, if you have to drive through the canyon to get to the airport, and there’s a massive snowstorm on the day you’re supposed to get to the airport, you may have to travel the day before and stay in a hotel in order to avoid the dangers on the road. This is especially important if you’re driving a car that is not capable of driving in harsh conditions. 

Careful Driving that Rental Car 

Accidents can happen if you’re driving in rough weather and you’re driving a car that you’re not used to driving. If you’re driving a rental car this holiday season, you may want to exercise extra caution, especially if you’re driving on roads you aren’t familiar with and/or you’re driving in more difficult road conditions. Many rental cars are newer and they may have features that the average driver isn’t used to. If you notice some of these new features in your rental car, just know that a snowstorm may not be the time to experiment with those new features. 

Prevent Injuries This Holiday Season

Summer is ending and the Holiday season is on its way. If you’re going to be travelling this fall or winter, make sure your plan takes hazardous road conditions, illness, and all other dangers into account. If someone else’s negligence causes you to sustain injury despite all the safety precautions you’ve taken, contact Moxie Law Group today for a free consultation.