Test your holiday safety smarts…Take this holiday travel safety quiz with some common travel scenarios to reveal holiday travel safety tips. Find out if you’re a safe-travel pro- or a traveler in trouble!
This holiday season, the Wiseman’s are driving over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house. The trip will be a long one, on crowded roads. Plus the kids have been singing “Let it snow, let it snow…”- and it looks like that’s very possible. What are some holiday travel tips so they arrive safely?
- (A) The Wiseman’s first make sure the sleigh…er, car is in top shape. All the fluids (coolant, brake, automatic transmission, oil, power steering, windshield fluid) have been checked. Tires are rotated and looking good. Plus there’s plenty of GAS in the tank.
- (B) The spare tire has not been overlooked either. How awful is it to get a flat and then discover that your spare tire is also flat?
- (C) Dad says just to relax and enjoy the trip- only Grinches ruin the holidays with worry over negative details like car trouble or getting stranded. He says no-one needs all those weather apps like AccuWeather or Weather Underground or navigation apps like Waze or Google Maps either. Besides, he plans on driving very fast so the trip won’t be as long.
The Wiseman’s have packed a winter emergency survival kit in their car- with snow chains, a first aid kit, ice scraper, snow shovel, sand, blankets, jumper cables, a car jack, flashlights, and a cellphone charger. Add a tire repair kit, a few basic tools, some duct tape, and a tow rope. The kids have snuck in granola bars, snacks, and drinks too.
Hopefully you answered a, b, and d- NOT c!
Preparing for various possibilities on a driving trip- like heavy traffic, inclement weather, or unexpected car trouble- is smart. Applying such proactive Christmas safety tips is how a safe-travel pro keeps holiday travel secure. Plan ahead by inspecting your car’s fluids, spare tire and other essentials. Assembling a practical winter emergency survival kit for your car will ensure safety in all circumstances.
For anyone who answered “c,” helpful weather/navigation apps can provide real-time updates on changing road conditions, making a big difference in safety. Plus Dad should review how fast to drive in snow or ice. Experts recommend that in those conditions, drivers should reduce speed by at least 50% of the posted speed limit– to maintain control of the car.
(Give yourself 1 point for each correct answer you picked from a, b, and d. Way to go, safe travel pro, if you picked all three! But choosing c means you might be a traveler in trouble…)
Even though there’s nothing like home for the holidays, the Klutz family is planning a trip to visit relatives outside Paris for a Joyeux Noel. They’ve excitedly been posting updates on social media about it. Because it’s the most wonderful time of the year, they’re going to post photos online when they arrive too.
True or False: It’s safe to put real-time postings of your trip on social media.
False– Posting real time updates and photos about being away from home is an invitation to return to a home that has been burglarized. Staying cyber-savvy with the safest tech practices is the key to protecting your valuables and identity. You should never post overly revealing information, photos, or documents online. Be even more cautious during the holidays, when cybercriminals are especially active.
(Give yourself 1 point if you answered this correctly).
It continues to be the most wonderful time of the year for the Klutz family as they explore beautiful Paris before they meet relatives. The family has consulted a handy guidebook to get to the Eiffel Tower, and is now focused on taking the best pics for their social media. (With their matching holiday sweaters, the photos are sure to be perfect with the iconic landmark as backdrop). However when Mr. Klutz later goes to buy a souvenir from a vendor, he discovers “their chestnuts have been roasted.” His cash and cards have been pickpocketed- and he had them ALL with him! What could the Klutz family have done differently to keep their Noel Joyeux?
- (A) Nothing- Mr. Klutz refused to use a money belt, even though his wife had read about Paris pickpockets when she researched ahead- she’d even found the safest arrondissement to stay in Paris for them. But the money belt she bought for him was awkward to access… so he left it at home. (In case of pickpockets “C’est la vie!” he said).
- (B) Be extra mindful and cautious in busy places where there are increased activities and crowds (airports, shopping malls, public transportation, tourist spots). Especially being over-distracted with taking photos is unwise- it is best to be MORE vigilant at those sightseeing spots that thieves target.
- (C) Try to act and look less like tourists– by ditching the obvious guidebook and dressing more like locals (e.g. not wear matching outfits!)
- (D) Carry cash/credit cards separately. Put cash and one credit card in a wallet for daily use, and store the rest in another secure location, or even two places- to reduce the impact of possible theft or loss.
Answers b, c, and d are correct.
Being mindful of your surroundings, keeping your valuables close with a money belt, hidden pocket, or secure bag, avoiding obvious “touristy” behaviors, and wisely securing money and credit cards separately will keep your family safe and continuing to sing those holiday carols. (It is wise to have copies of important documents with you when you travel too).
(Give yourself 1 point each for correct answers b, c, and d)
Last year the Wiseman’s extended family had a big holiday reunion to celebrate a Feliz Navidad in the vibrant city of Merida in Mexico. After the Wiseman’s uneventful (though crowded) holiday flight, all they wanted for Christmas was a nice family visit. Their relatives did too- however, a number of them got sick with flu AND “Montezuma’s revenge” after they flew there. Those relatives spent their holiday recovering, while the Wiseman family was rocking safe and sound around the Christmas tree- and enjoying Merida’s colonial charm, Mayan sites and underground cenotes. What Christmas safety tips did the Wiseman’s follow to stay healthy?
- (A) The Wiseman family didn’t “watch out, pout or cry” about waiting for the busiest vendor in a long line to try Merida’s famous cochinita pibil tacos. Uncle Bill wanted to try those street vendor tacos too, but he didn’t want to wait in a long line. Instead Uncle Bill went to a quieter vendor with a shorter line- and laughed at his Wiseman relatives when they were still waiting.
- (B) Also the Wiseman’s didn’t pout or cry about spending extra money on buying their own bottled water with sealed caps at the nearby OXXO either. (They’d heard it would reduce the risk of traveler’s diarrhea and other illnesses). But the Wiseman’s Uncle Bill had a bottle that he’d get refilled- that street vendor he went to had a handy water jug with filtered water for customers to use.
- (C) The Wiseman’s NEVER bother using antibacterial wipes on the tray tables, armrests, or seatbelt buckles when they’re onboard a plane- the cleaning crew knows their jobs and they clean everything thoroughly.
- (D) The Wiseman’s kept colds and flu away by habitual hand-washing (especially after touching public surfaces), keeping their hands away from face or eyes (main entry points for germs to access the body), and using a tissue, or at worst a sleeve, when coughing or sneezing (to reduce germ transmission).
Answers a, b and d will keep a traveler safe and healthy.
(Ignore “c” -using antibacterial wipes- at your own risk!)
Pro holiday travelers know the ways to stay the healthiest are by practicing good hygiene (e.g. washing hands often with soap and water), getting enough rest to boost immunity, sanitizing high-touch surfaces (like airplane tray tables or hotel remotes), limiting/avoiding time in crowds, and choosing healthy safe nutrition. If you must try the street vendor food, go to the popular busiest one like the Wiseman’s did. Popularity indicates food that’s worth waiting for, and that locals and regulars trust. High customer turnover also means food is prepared and used frequently, reducing the risk of contamination by sitting out too long. And when staying hydrated, healthy travelers use bottled sealed water for optimum wellness safety (avoiding unsealed water bottles or improperly filtered water).
(Give yourself 1 point each for answering a, b, or d. Btw if you answered c- know that antibacterial wipes are a safe healthy traveler’s best friend!)
So how many points did you score on your Holiday Travel Safety Quiz?
If you got:
0-3 points– Oh no, you’re on the naughty list of holiday travel safety- a real traveler in trouble! You’d better stay cozy at home, roast chestnuts on an open fire, and review safety tips to avoid holiday hazards on your next travels.
4-6 points– You’re not quite ready to go dashing through the snow just yet. Keep checking that safety list (and checking it twice) to achieve smooth secure travels.
7-10 points– Ho, ho, ho, way to go! You’re a holiday travel safety expert, ready to “sleigh” every journey with glad tidings of comfort and joy. Bon voyage and happy travels!
