HOLIDAY TRAVEL AND VACATION TIPS
There’s no question that Southern California is blessed with
mild weather conditions year-round. No need to get the snow shovels out or
chain those tires, we have it made in the sun. However, many families look
forward to visiting the snow and the mountains during the holiday season, it’s
exciting and a welcomed change from the norm. While the last thing on anyone’s
mind is safety precautions during a vacation it is good to be prepared during
unusual weather conditions, at least unusual for most of us. It’s also
beneficial to remember to keep your home and belongings protected while you’re
away enjoying your vacation. As your local Allstate Burbank agent I’ll take you through a
few holiday travel tips so you can relax and have a safe, happy winter
vacation.
Driving Safety in the Snow and Mountains
Driving to the mountains could take around a couple to a few
hours, and in that time weather conditions will alter drastically. Independent
Traveler has some
vacation tips to ready you and your vehicle for the icy roads.
1. Pack Extra and Emergency Items: Extra
supplies and clothing could be helpful if your car breaks down in cold weather
conditions. Coats, flashlights, extra batteries, and a windshield scraper are
all things to consider bringing along while you’re packing.
2. Check your Vehicle: Either you or your
mechanic should inspect your vehicle and tires for winter readiness. Make sure
your windshield wipers, brakes, defroster, heater, and exhaust systems are all
in working and good condition.
3. Keep a Safe Speed: Be mindful to slow
down on icy roads, slowing down about 50% is what The U.S. Department of
Transportation recommends.
4. Don’t ‘Hug’ the Center Lane: Many
mountain roads are narrower than your average highway lane, by hugging the
center lane it could create a hazard with another vehicle that is also
traveling near the center.
5. Cars going Uphill have the Right of Way: Just
a driving reminder to allow these passing vehicles the right of way. It’s also
important to note that cars do not perform as well as at 10,000 ft than at sea
level so allow them plenty of time to pass.
6. Prepare for Quick Weather Fluctuation: From
sunny to snowy, the mountain weather could be pristine one minute and a storm
the next. Be more observant and courteous on the road. If other cars appear in
a hurry allow them to pass. Add a special solvent to the windshield washer
reservoir so there is no icing on your window. Bringing chains, an ice scraper,
small broom and hand shovel is also beneficial. There may be a point where you
have to dig out your tires from the snow.
7. Skip the Cruise Control: Cruise control
could accelerate during the time you least want it to such as going over an icy
bridge or animal crossing.
8. If Stranded: If your car stalls make sure to stay with it
as vehicles are far more easier to detect than pedestrians in the snow. Run the
engine for heat, if you do not want to run it the entire time keep windows
closed to keep heat in and run the car for 10 minutes every hour with a front
window open as you do so.
9. Take Frequent Breaks: Driving through
mountain terrain can be more tiring than flatlands, keep hydrated and if you
have a long distance to drive consider driving only up to 6 hours per day.
10. Relax and Have Fun: Not exactly a tip,
but we here at Allstate Burbank want you to enjoy your time up on your holiday
vacation, enjoy the scenery and have fun in the snow!
Easy to follow holiday travel tips like these will keep you
vigilant and ready while you venture out onto the mountain terrain while also
letting you take in the view and the feeling of driving through beautiful snow.
Peace of Mind That Your Home is Safe
While you’re away enjoying your holiday your home should be
protected, taking a few extra precautions can go a long way in keeping your
things at home safe. Following these easy holiday travel tips from Home &
Garden will help you enjoy your vacation up north
without having to worry about what’s going on back at home.
1.
Have a house or pet-sitter stay over. Having someone
like a close friend or relative stay in your home can be the best solution to
keeping all your belongings safe as well as upkeep your home. You can also hire
a house or pet-sitter from a trusted agency.
2.
Make sure no mail is stolen by calling your post office
and asking them to hold it for you until you get back. Post offices can keep
mail for up to 30 days.
3.
Don’t let your house look unoccupied for too long.
Having a pile of newspapers sitting on your front porch might draw some
unwanted attention. Stop newspaper services while you’re out of town. It’s a
small detail that can make a big impact.
4.
Newspapers and mail will be able to be stopped while
you’re gone, but there are still few snags to worry about. Doorknob flyers and
yellow page book can give away your absence. Ask a neighbor or another trusted
individual to take down these red flags.
5.
Create the
illusion that your house is lived-in. Invest in a timer that turns on your
interior and exterior lights for a few hours each evening and ask your neighbor
or a trusted individual to take out the trash for you. To people passing by
it’ll look like just another normal day at your house.
6.
That outside appearance is just as important as the
inside. If you mow your lawn or trim your hedges weekly and will be gone for an
extended period of time think about hiring a service to upkeep your lawn.
7.
Such an obvious thing to do, but sometimes forgotten is
to keep all your windows deadbolt shut. Normally you might keep your kitchen
window slightly open when your home so it’s easy to forget about this easy
task. This small task being forgotten could be a literal window of opportunity
for a burglar to seize.
8.
Be a little precautious on who you tell about your
trip. That’s not to say you should be suspicious of everyone, but some
information is best kept within your circle of trusted friends and family.
Letting it pass to the wrong people could be potentially dangerous.
9.
Consider turning off electronics and appliances. You
can save money by unplugging computers, coffee pots, and your television. Also
turning off your garage door can stop thieves from opening it with a universal
remote.
10. Another
more obvious way to protect your home is with a security system in place. These
features work when you’re away, asleep, awake, or just out in your backward. It
can be discreet or very visible, either way it does it’s job of protecting your
home.
While some of these vacation tips may seem too obvious and
others too small a detail to think or worry about all of them can be great
deterrents for any potential burglars looking for an easy steal.
Allstate Can Help Lessen the Worry
We here at Allstate Burbank want to help you be prepared to
avoid any unwanted events with our holiday travel tips while you’re enjoying
your vacation. Unfortunately even being prepared isn’t a guarantee of absolute
safety being properly insured can help in this circumstance. Having both auto
and homeowners insurance will put you back on the right track and I can provide
the right insurance to suit your needs.
Auto Insurance After an Accident or if Damaged
Two types of
coverage to consider while you're driving through the snowy mountains are
collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage pays for damage to
your car if you collide with another car or something else such as a bridge or
tree. If someone hits your parked car, this is considered a collision as well.
Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your car caused by something other
than a collision such as theft, fire, windstorm, other natural disasters, or
hitting an animal.
Homeowner’s Insurance in Protecting your Belongings
There are a few different types of homeowner’s insurance that
protect your home from a variety of cases. Personal Property Protection will
provide monetary coverage in the event that your belongings are stolen or
damaged. When considering this option come to talk to me about the different
levels of monetary coverage that would adequately benefit you and your home.
Enjoy Your Vacation and Let Us Do the Work
Vacations are about forgetting your
worries and taking time for yourself and your loved ones. Keeping some
precaution in mind with our vacation tips whether it be while you’re driving in
the unpredictable mountain terrain or while you’re away and your home is
unattended lets you enjoy your time off all the more. Having Allstate
homeowner’s and auto insurance will also keep them in good hands in the event
that things don’t go right. Be it before or after an incident Allstate has your
best interest at heart this vacation season.
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