IT’S CHRISTMAS!!! -Buddy the Elf
Christmas time is upon us, and everyone remembers the wonderment and feelings of nostalgia during the holiday season. We get together with family, eat a hearty meal, and think of good tidings for the years ahead. With Wisconsin weather being as unpredictable as it can be during the winter months, we’ve come up with the 12 Ways to Keep Safe this Holiday Season!
1) If you’re going to be out celebrating this Christmas, there is a pretty simple rule to remember: drink OR drive. Don’t drive if you’ve been drinking, and don’t drink if you’re driving. Plan ahead with friends or Uber it up for your night out on the town or with your family. You can always just sleep it off on your grandma’s couch as well...she won’t judge.
2) Wearing your seatbelt is the single most effective way to save your life or reduce your injuries if you’re involved in a crash. So, no matter how far you’re driving, always buckle up. This goes for any time of year, but with the roads a little dicier because of the weather and more people on the road, it’s an even better idea to remain mindful about buckling up.
3) It’s always important to make sure that children are visible if they’re walking near dark roads, especially since it’s getting darker earlier now with the time change. And if you’re the driver, make sure everyone’s seatbelts and car seats are on correctly. That means your older kids may accuse you of being cringe or sus, but keeping them safe is your number one priority. Besides, they’re going to think that no matter what you do, so you may as well make the most of it.
4) Nobody wants to get caught out in traffic or bad weather, so planning goes a long way on your treck back home. If the weather is bad, try to postpone it if possible. Listen to the weather forecasts to avoid getting caught out by sudden changes in conditions. It might be a bummer, but it is better to be safe instead of sorry.
5) This time of year, we can find ourselves rushing around more than usual from one place to another. But when you're driving, rushing can do more harm than saving those extra couple of minutes of time. Stay safe and give yourself plenty of time and space to stop if you suddenly need to.
6) Think about how you’re feeling before you hit the road. Perhaps you’ve been out celebrating or up late wrapping gifts. Whatever the reason, if you’re overly tired then try not to drive. Scientifically speaking, overly tired drivers take longer to react to hazards or accidents where you may have to slam on the brakes. Try to share the driving if possible.
7) Be ready to find yourself a driver if you’re using a medication that could make you drowsy, or even a new medication that COULD make you drowsy. This will impair your ability to react to hazards and accidents.
8) Your whole car depends on your tires working effectively in an emergency and transporting you safely. Well maintained tires can save your life, so don't take a risk with bald or bad tires, especially in the winter in Wisconsin with snow and ice. Make sure you check them before you set off to your destination, especially on long journeys.
9) They may look fun and fast, but e-scooters can only be used on private land in most counties in Wisconsin, not on public roads, trails, bicycle lanes, or bike trails. This is something to consider if you’re thinking about buying one as a gift.
10) Long car rides can be tedious, long, and often require effort to keep everyone entertained; especially if you have kids in tow. As the driver, reduce the risk of distractions by letting your passengers know that you need to focus on driving. It’s not a bad idea, especially on long drives, to take a couple stops to get out and stretch your legs, take bathroom breaks, and hit up gas stations for some road trip snacks.
11) A new bike is a popular gift at Christmas or kids and adults and what child (or child at heart) can resist a ride on a new set of wheels? As the driver, be extra aware of your surroundings, especially in subdivisons that look like little people could live there.
12) Lucky you if you got a new phone for Christmas! But remember not use it when you’re driving unless you have a blue tooth or a voice recognition system. Focus on the road and reduce the risks of a possible accident and save the scrolling until you’re parked.
The pressures of the festive season mean it’s often easy to forget the good habits that keep us safe, so remember the importance of staying safe on our holiday journeys.
All of us here at Schmit Bros wish you and yours a happy, safe, and healthy Holiday season!