As a mum of 4 kids and one fur baby, I’m all too aware that the Christmas holidays are creeping up fast so it’s time to start making a list of fun and festive things to do. One idea I’ve had is to pile everyone into the car and head off on a road trip somewhere, maybe visit a Christmas market in a new city or something. However as I’m sure you’re all too aware, long journeys can take some serious planning when it comes to kids and the cooler months.
So as I plan for the coming months, I thought I’d share some of my tips on one of the most important phases of preparation with you and that’s making your car is in full working order. Lower temperatures and frequent bouts of torrential rain can mean driving conditions are a lot harsher so it’s super important that you give your vehicle some TLC before hitting the road.
Make Sure You're Updated With Your MOT And Servicing:
It’s generally recommended that a car has an MOT and a full service once a year (or at every 12,000 miles if you spend a lot of time driving) so if you’ve fallen behind, now is the perfect time to catch up. You can actually be fined up to 1,000 if you don’t have a valid MOT and we could all do without any nasty surprises like that when there are presents to be buying! Places like Kwik Fit can help make sure you’re all good under the hood and make sure things like battery levels are in check. They’ll also make sure you oil and coolant levels are sufficient which will be a load off your mind.
Test Your Treads And Adjust Your Air Pressure:
Before you start thinking about car snacks, journey entertainment and your toilet pit stops along the way (and we all know how important they are), it’s time to make sure your tyres are in tip top condition. If your wheels aren’t how they should be, you may find yourself stumbling across unnecessary hurdles or accidents as you travel from A to B. Making sure your tread depth is meeting the legal requirement (1.6mm) and ensuring there is enough air in your wheels can go a long way to improving car safety measures.
Stock Up On Additional Safety Items:
While all of the above suggestions will help you dodge any driving disasters, if you do happen to find yourself in a sticky situation, it’s essential that you’re prepared. For example, if you find yourself waiting on the hard shoulder of a motorway waiting for somebody to come to your assistance, make sure you’ve got blankets to keep warm, water to stay hydrated and snacks to keep the kids entertained. Things like a First Aid kit, a warning triangle, a high-vis vest and a torch are also all useful items that won’t take up much space in your boot but are definitely worth taking along on your travels – just in case.
Share Yor Tips With Us:
If you have any of your own tips that you’d like to share with me, or if you think there’s anything I might have missed off the list, leave me a comment below or join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #CarSafetyChecklist.
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About this post: This is a collaborative post..
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