Emergency Tips for a Smooth Trip

It is fun to travel. However, before you hit the road, you should make sure that everything is in great shape, especially our car.

According to Ed Kriston, approved automotive repair specialist at the Towson office of AAA Mid-Atlantic in Wilmington, Del., we should not entrust car inspection to a hobbyist. “One thing that is very, very important is for the [person] to know how to change a tire… Even how to use a jack is important. If you try to use a jack incorrectly, you could damage the car,” he explained in examiner.com.

Good point, right? Owning a car entails more than just driving it well and keeping it maintained. You also have to keep it safe and secure. Here are Ed Kriston's (and his AAA colleague Jeffrey Boone’s) safety tips:

• Provide your car a fire extinguisher. It is most ideal that you have one under the front seat.
• Inspect the spare tire prior traveling. Make sure it is properly inflated and is in good shape.
• One important thing to remember is not to overload the car. Overpacking usually results to vehicle damage, and hindered steering, brakes and other crucial systems. You probably don’t want to be engaged in driving hazards do you? So, to add more prevention, check your owner’s manual or tag on the driver’s side door for the car’s weight limits.
• Bring in an emergency kit with a flashlight, extra batteries and warning devices like flares and reflective triangles. As much as possible, make sure you keep a charged cell phone in the car to facilitate easy accessibility to emergency assistance.
• Invest for a roadside assistance plan. Some automakers readily provide it as part of their services.

Enjoy and have a safe trip!