1. Check your battery. According to the AAA, one of the top reasons motorist need help is due to a dead battery. To avoid an unwanted problem, particularly if your battery is more than three years old, have it checked at a local repair shop to make sure its strong enough to last for your trip. In addition to the car’s battery, make sure your cell-phone battery is charged, as you can’t charge a phone battery off of a dead car battery.
2. Keep a flashlight in your vehicle. This will be an invaluable tool in the event you have a problem after dark. With the advances in technology, there are now many flashlights which can also double as a phone charger. As the prices have come down, there is no reason not to keep a flashlight in your glovebox.
3. Check your tires, including your spare. In addition to checking each tire’s pressure to make sure it meets the manufacturers’ specifications, you should also check the depth of the tire’s treads. Anyone can easily use a penny to accomplish the tread check. Experts say that if you stand a penny in your tire’s tread, and part of President Lincoln’s head is covered, that is an indication that the tire’s tread depth is safe.
4. Check the car’s fluid levels. Many owners think the only time their vehicle’s fluids should be checked is when the car goes in for service. But when you are about to take a long distance road trip, it is important to check your car’s oil, coolant and windshield washer fluids. If you notice any of your vehicle’s fluid levels are low, top them off. Adding a quart of oil before your trip begins can have long-term benefits to you and your vehicle.
5. Keep flares or reflectors in your car. While no one expects to find themselves stranded along a road, keeping things like flares or reflectors, for those who don’t want to temp a child with a flare, is a prudent precaution. Reflectors help other drivers more easily see that you are stopped and have a problem. Not only will that visibility help prevent you from being involved in a car accident; it may cause another driver to stop and render assistance.

This list is by no means all inclusive, as drivers should consider their own situations when planning a road trip. Other planning may include putting a cooler of food and drinks in the car in case you become stranded. Remember, a little forethought and personal responsibility can help prevent an inconvenience from turning into an event which ruins your vacation.

A recent study by the Pediatric Academic Society found that the number of children who have received care at hospital emergency rooms due to fireworks related injuries increased by almost fifty percent of the past three years. Almost half of fireworks related emergency room visits were by children under the age of 15, with nearly a third of those youngsters being bystanders, who thought they were safe.

The researchers believe that the lack of regulations over the sale of fireworks, particularly those which most people believe are illegal in Florida, is a direct cause of the increase in firework related personal injuries. Until such time as cities, counties and the State enact appropriate regulations to protect unknowing consumers, personal injury attorney Joseph Lipsky reminds parents to take the following precautions:

• Only buy legal fireworks, and then keep them in a cool dry place
• Keep spectators at a safe distance from the fireworks being lit
• Do not allow children to play with fireworks, even “harmless” ones as they too can misfire (sparklers are dangerous too-they burn at over 2,000 degrees)
• Keep a hose or bucket of water near and soak all fireworks before throwing them away
• Do not hold fireworks in your hand for any reason
• Light one firework at a time, and move away from it quickly
• Do not try to relight a firework which malfunctions

With some common sense, everyone can enjoy the summer’s holidays in a safe and injury free atmosphere.