Thanksgiving is almost here and the Holiday season is just around the corner. We are therefore approaching one of the biggest travel periods of the year, with 54% of Americans traveling 50 miles or more at Thanksgiving and 23% traveling the same distance over the Holidays. According to AAA (American Automobile Association), 48.7 million Americans will be traveling to visit family and friends for Thanksgiving. Of those, 89% will be driving and the average length of a Thanksgiving long-distance round trip is 549 miles. The high volume of traffic is replicated globally, as in the UK for example, 6.7 million journeys of 20 miles or more are made on Christmas Day. So how do you transport kids, pets, and luggage safely and comfortably and happily at a time of year when weather conditions can exacerbate the challenge of driving?
Here are some simple suggestions that can help to make the journey as great as the rest of the trip:
Get a Comfy Seat
Kids grow rapidly and what may once have been a very safe and comfortable car seat, may now have been outgrown by your child. The diagram below shows car seat safety based on recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics. When you have established whether the car seat still meets your child’s needs, ensure that it is correctly fitted in your vehicle per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Add a Pet Barrier
Many people use pet barriers routinely to transport a dog locally, but pet barriers become invaluable on long road trips when all your most precious cargo are on board. The barrier itself can ensure that your dog is safely enclosed and cannot distract the driver or disturb passengers. It also prevents any luggage or loose gifts from shifting from the trunk to the passenger area of the vehicle should the driver need to brake suddenly. If you add a pet barrier divider to the mix, you also have the perfect separation of luggage and pets. So, no more chewed gifts before reaching your destination!
Take Time to Pack and Pack Extras
Aim to load the car with luggage and gifts before putting the pets and children in the vehicle. Make sure you have a plastic trash bag in the passenger area. Items such as wet wipes, tissues and water bottles are also useful to have to hand. Some blankets for changing weather conditions can be a useful addition.
Take a Break
When traveling with children and pets, it is always advisable to allow extra time for the journey. Try to take breaks every few hours, or as required. These breaks allow kids and pets to have some exercise and visit the restroom, but also allow the driver to take a rest from the intense concentration required during certain weather and traffic conditions.
Grab a Snack
Having a few healthy snacks and beverages available can make a trip pass more pleasurably and keep hunger pangs at bay. Be sure to avoid sugary food and drinks that might increase hyperactivity. It can also be helpful to have a few additional food supplies in the vehicle in case of extreme weather conditions or emergencies.
On-Board Entertainment
Some vehicles now have in-car entertainment built in, which is ideal for kids to watch their favorite movies. If your vehicle does not come equipped with this, a portable DVD player may be a good alternative. If you prefer to avoid electronic device overload and want a more all-inclusive entertainment approach, an audio book or music that everyone can listen to can be a fun option. Stickers, felt pieces and pipe cleaners can be great for younger kids to fiddle with and they often love games of I-Spy whether on pre-printed sheets for them to check off or with the whole of the car joining in. Older children may prefer car quizzes and, if they are truly craving electronics, downloading the Mad Libs iOS app ahead of time may be a good option.
With a little careful planning, what the kids (and even adults) may perceive to be a long and boring journey, suddenly becomes a lot more appealing. If you have any fail-safe tips that your family uses on long road trips with kids and pets, why not share them with other readers? Whatever your plans during the Holidays, I wish you safe, pleasant travels and a happy and healthy 2017.
Tagged: Christmas, Holidays, Road Trip, Thanksgiving
