Your bags are packed. The car’s loaded up. Your security system is set. But are you really ready to hit the road? Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or you’re getting one last fall trip in before winter, it’s always important to consider safety tips on the road. Check out our latest round-up of road trip safety guidelines to make sure your trip is as secure and enjoyable as it can be.

1. Check Your Vehicle

Before leaving for your trip, make sure your car is ready to make the journey. No matter how far you are traveling, there’s nothing like car trouble to ruin a trip. Take your vehicle to your local mechanic (someone you trust of course!) to ensure that everything is working properly. That includes tires, battery, belts, fluids, and air conditioner. If you plan to travel to a hot climate, or plan to tow a boat or trailer, check to see if you need motor oil with a higher viscosity.

2. Be Mentally and Physically Prepared

When planning a vacation that will require a lot of driving, it is essential you get a good night’s sleep. Statistics show driving while drowsy is a contributing factor to over 100,000 accidents every year. Always use caution on the road. And if you’re traveling with multiple people, plan to switch drivers every few hours if possible.

3. Bring a Safety Kit

Every car should have a safety kit in case of an emergency. It is hard to predict everything you may need, but some basic supplies include water, warm blankets, a flashlight, jumper cables, flares, a tool kit to change a tire, a first aid kit, snacks, and a phone charger.

4. Make Sure Your Home is Secure

You might not think safety tips on the road would include the place you’re leaving from. But the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not your home is protected while you’re away. Make sure you properly arm your home security system. You might even consider asking a friend or neighbor to check in on it. And if you utilize home automation features like surveillance cameras, you can check in on your property no matter where you are!

5. Buy a Roadside Assistance Plan

Unfortunately, no matter how much you prepare, accidents can happen. This is why a roadside assistance plan works perfectly as a little extra insurance. This is especially important if you plan to travel a far distance. Whether you purchase it from a travel company, or your dealer, be sure you can always get help when you need it most.

6. Secure the Backseat

Traveling with children or pets? Ensure that child safety locks are activated for doors and windows that could be within reach. If you’re also packing luggage in the same seating area, make sure it is also secure and not at risk of injuring passengers. Look around for any potential choking hazards as well. And if you’re utilizing car seats, always read the instructions for proper installation.

7. Pack the Vehicle Strategically

When packing the vehicle, make sure heavy items are secured first. When the car is traveling at high speeds, everything in the car is as well. You wouldn’t want anything heavy to hurt someone if you need to slam on the breaks. A packed-to-the-gills car can also limit your ability to see out of all of your mirrors. Be sure you have clear visibility of other drivers before hitting the road.

8. Adjust Your Posture

As the driver, make sure you are sitting in an upright position. Slouching can make you feel drowsy and uncomfortable. Many people tend to sit too far or too close to their steering wheel. To be in the proper driving position, your legs and elbows should be bent so you can exert a strong pressure onto the brake and so you have adequate leverage to easily to turn the wheel. Plus, who wants to have a sore back on vacation?

9. Don’t Be Afraid to Take Breaks

Everyone is in a rush to start their vacation but that is no reason to forego breaks. Stop at a rest stop or switch drivers every two hours. Drinking water will also make you more alert and force you to take regular bathroom breaks. It’s tempting to skip meals, but you should always make sure you’re taking proper care of your body to have enough energy for the trip.

10. Avoid Disruptions

It may be hard to control your crying two-year-old in the backseat, but it is important to limit any other distractions when possible. If you’re traveling with a pet, get them active before you hit the road to tire them out. A little advance planning may be all it takes. Timing your departure to coincide with your infant’s or toddler’s nap schedule can be good for all of you!

For More Home Security Tips and Solutions, Stick with Boyd & Associates

Take the time to prepare for more than just your destination before you leave on your family road trip. Secure the car and the kids, and make sure you’re prepared to handle a few bumps in the road. Just a friendly reminder to keep your family safe and always make smart driving decisions!

And if you’re looking for more ways to keep yourself and your family safe, check out our home security and automation services at Boyd & Associates. We offer a wide range of home security options to protect you and your family. If you’re ready to discuss our custom solutions, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you prepare for what’s next.

Many people believe that being hacked is not easy and unfortunately this is not true. Many people also believe they will not be hacked because they do not have any essential information, but this is false as well. A hacker can find out more than you would think just by hacking into your cell phone. Be cautious and protect yourself from hackers by following these safety tips:

Protect Your Home Devices From Hackers

Turn Off Your Wi-Fi And Bluetooth

Hackers can see if you keep these features on your phone at all times. The reason why this is important is that they could view what networks you have connected to before and can spoof them and trick your phone into connecting to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices that hackers carry around. Once in control of your device, hackers can bombard your device with malware, steal data, or even spy on you.

Use Two-Step Authentication

Many major internet websites will provide a login option for two-step authentication. Google, Twitter, and LinkedIn are a few of these companies that will ask you for a secret code that is sent through text message to your cell phone, to log into your account. This is a great form of protection because even if someone manages to guess your password, it would be impossible to log in without having full access to your phone.

Create A Smart Password

Consider using various characters and numbers sporadically throughout your password. Make sure this is something you will be able to remember. The more unique your password is, the less likely someone will be able to guess it.

Guard Your Home Wi-Fi

Setting up your home Wi-Fi system is an important way to stay protected. First, change the password to the Wi-Fi network. Do not continue to use the random password that is written on the side of your router. When asked what type of security encryption standard you would like to have for your network, choose WPA-2.

Do Not Hide Your Wi-Fi Signal

If your home router asks to “Hide The SSID”, click no. This means that all your devices will always be looking for a new network to join. It could also mean that you are joining networks that are not safe.

Protect Your Bluetooth Devices From Hackers

Scammers gain access to cell phone users by hacking into your cell phone using Bluetooth. To protect yourself consider these tips:

Create A Good Password

To prevent your Bluetooth from being hacked, always use a minimum of eight characters in your pin.

Use “Not Discoverable” Setting

Switch Bluetooth into “not discoverable” when you are not using it.

Be Cautious Of Other Devices

Do not accept any pairing requests from any unknown devices. This is especially important because this is how a hacker gains full access to your cell phone including calls, texts, pictures, credit card information, and any other important information your phone contains.

Be Aware Of Ways To Get Hacked

Familiarize yourself with these terms hackers and security experts use when identifying hacking instances:

• Bluejacking: This is one of the most common ways that people are being hacked. This is when a hacker searches for discoverable devices around them and sends spam in the form of a text. This method is usually harmless but is more annoying than a significant security issue. This method is specifically used for different types of spam messaging and does not give hackers access to your phone or its contents. The best way to handle this mode is to ignore messages if you receive them. If you keep your Bluetooth setting on “non-discoverable” then you should not have any problems with this form of hacking.
• Bluesnarfing: This type of hacking can lead to a hacker gaining access to your private information on your smartphone. A hacker could potentially purchase software that allows them to request information from your device. It is possible for this to happen when you are set to “invisible” or “non-discoverable”, but it is much less frequent due to the time, effort, and money needed to complete this type of hack.
• Bluebugging: If a hacker uses bluebugging, then they have received full access to your cell phone. They can see all your photos, apps, contacts, texts, and phone calls. This type of hacking is only feasible with older phones with outdated firmware. Newer smartphones are less likely to have this happen because of constant security updates.

While your wireless security system protects your home and those within it, it doesn’t necessarily protect the software within your home. Be smart when using your Bluetooth devices so that they are not vulnerable to a hacker waiting to prey on your network. Take the time to avoid being an easy target for a hacker.

For More Security And Home Automation Tips And Solutions, Stick With Boyd & Associates

If you’re looking for more ways to keep yourself and your family safe, check out our home security and automation services at Boyd & Associates. We offer a wide range of home security options to protect you and your family. If you’re ready to discuss our custom solutions, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you prepare for what’s next.

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