Winter presents a time of the year when storms hinder the travel plans of many people. But, it is still possible to travel during winter. The following tips will enable you to avoid being caught up in winter storms or get your flight cancelled or delayed.
Before you travel
- Invest in travel insurance and signup for notifications from the airline. Visit the website of the airline that you book with frequently to know the status of your flight.
- If you plan to use your car to travel, take it for winter maintenance check-up. Check the tires of your car and ensure that it has fitting chains before winter storm. Check the tire pressure in advance because mechanics and tire shops are generally busy before and during winter storms. Also check the battery, hoses, belts, brakes, lights, wipers, and defroster/heater.
- Keep the fuel tank full. Never let the fuel tank fall below half while going on a winter trip.
- Program the radio for emergency messages and traffic reports.
Carry all necessities
There are things that you should never leave behind when traveling during winter.
They include:
- A survival kit- Make sure that you have a survival kit that has a flashlight, blanket, batteries, snacks, boots, water, first-aid kit, and gloves.
- Winter travel gear- Make sure that your car has things like tire chains, jumper cables, snowbrush or ice scrapper, and road flares.
Stay safe
Focus on ensuring your safety while traveling during winter. If you get stuck somewhere you don’t know, don’t get out of the vehicle. Instead, stay in the car, put flashes on, and call for assistance. Stay there until someone comes to your rescue. Additionally, avoid traveling at night during winter. If possible, avoid driving alone especially when traveling to a place you have never visited before.
Follow these winter travel tips and you will be a happier and smarter traveler.