Winter Travel with Pets

Winter traveling requires extra preparation and planning but even more so when pets are going to be part of the journey.  Pets are part of the family for many and that means they will be going on holiday and to visit family with everyone else.  The trip can be safer, less stressful and better handled by all with some winter travel tips for pets.

Because it isn’t hot during winter weather it is wrong to assume that a pet will not be thirsty.  Cold air is dry and pets will drink just as much in the winter as they do at other times of the year and sometimes more due to heating sources.  Make sure to pack plenty of water.  It is also a good idea to bring water from home or buy distilled water for pets when they are away.  Their stomachs are sensitive to change and drinking from a new water source could be enough to cause them to become sick.

Be careful having the car too warm.  Dogs and cats not only have higher body temperatures but they also have fur on their bodies to insulate them.  Dress warmly and keep the car comfortable for all instead of toasty warm.  Becoming too warm could make them sick and could make them nauseated.

Be aware that ice and snow is cold to paws as much as it is bare feet.  Only arctic breeds of dogs have extra padding to insulate their feet from the extreme cold.  However, those raised indoors and kept from extreme weather may not be as ready to handle lower temperatures as their relatives that are living and working in the cold.

Use a carrier or crate for your pet while traveling.  It keeps them safe and contained in the event there is an accident.  Since accidents are more likely when weather is bad then it is important to keep them safely contained within the car.  Attaching a baggage tag to their crate with information about the animal, a contact number of a caretaker that could pick them up as well as veterinarian information can go far at making sure your pet is cared for in the event you are hurt in an accident.  The crate can also be used to contain the pet safely at another person’s home or a hotel room.  The pet will feel safer in it as well and will not cause distracted driving.

Many pets can be inflicted with motion sickness.  Be prepared with cleaning supplies in the event your pet needs assistance.  Also request an anti-nausea medication from your veterinarian in case it is needed.  Do not feed full meals to the pet until you have arrived to your destination to lessen the impact of motion sickness.

Make sure your pet has a secure collar with up to date information on the identification tag.  By adding the words “Reward for Return” in case the pet is lost then you will have a better chance of someone deciding to return it to you when found.

Bring along a favorite toy, a bed covering and plenty of food in the event the trip is held over due to a weather delay or other unexpected situation.

Traveling with your pet or pets can be a fun experience.  By preparing and planning it can be a safe, stress free and successful event that all of you will look forward to repeating in the future.

Driving During Bad Winter Weather a Major Fear for Parents

Driving on the road when weather conditions include ice and snow is a terrifying situation for parents when their children are in the car according to a new survey.  Universal Mulitgrip conducted a survey for the parenting advice website Babies.co.uk which showed that anxiety increases for parents when they have children in the car and are forced to drive in bad weather conditions.  The prospect of driving in blizzard type conditions is considered by parents to be more stressful than other stresses found in the winter such as Christmas shopping.  It was also considered more fearful than worrying if their children would fall ill.

The survey followed after the bad weather that struck the UK with powerful winds and terrifying weather encased the UK.  Weather forecasters have noted that this winter will bring record-breaking levels of snow which could cause parents to face a situation of being caught on the road with bad weather.

Babies.co.uk spokesman, James Macfarlane, said, “It’s not driving in the ice and snow that worries parents; it’s driving in the ice and snow with their children in the car.

“The idea of putting their children in danger is every parent’s worst nightmare – some would even prefer to keep their children at home than tackle the school run in bad weather.”

To help give peace of mind to the parents that are fearful of being on the road when bad winter weather strikes it can help to prepare for such situations.  Stocking their car with a winter safety kit can ease their mind that should they get stranded they are prepared to care for their children and ensure their safety.  De-icer, warm clothing, blankets, water, non-perishable snacks and foods, torches, and a first aid kit can be helpful should a car become stranded.  Over stocking a diaper bag for infants should be considered when bad weather is possible.  Drivers should also ensure they have strong car batteries and they should have back up mobile chargers or backup mobile phone batteries within the car.

Giving extra time for journeys and not feeling rushed on the road can help in making a parent feel they are better prepared when driving on the road.

Drivers Need to Take Precaution Driving in Dark

Driving in the dark is more common now that the days have grown shorter and winter draws near.  This has pushed many drivers into situations where they are not used to but are taking no extra precaution to remain safe.  While more drivers are out and about in dark hours so are those that are walking and cycling.  Many are sharing the roads and drivers should take extra care to watch for those that may think they are in plain sight but could be hidden from a driver’s view.

Not everyone thinks to wear bright clothes when walking in the evening.  They may have started out their day in the light and took little thought as to what they would be wearing in the dark later in the day as they made their way home.  This could leave them vulnerable to a driver that is taking to the road and not on the lookout for those sharing the road with them.  Even in neighborhoods where people are out walking can be dangerous zones for a driver not being aware of risks involved.

Parents should remind young drivers of the dangers of driving in the dark.  They may be unaware that extra precaution should be taken to complete their journey safe.  Not only is there a possibility that they could encounter pedestrians or cyclists but wildlife are also on the move in the dark.  A quick darting animal running across the road could startle a young driver that has never been warned of or encountered such events.

Autumn starts to steal the daylight hours from us and as winter comes upon us there will be less.  Despite the lack of daylight driving hours available more people will be out and about shopping and celebrating the upcoming holidays and being extra careful and eliminating distractions while driving is essential to being safe.

Young Drivers Need More Rural Driving Experience

Young drivers could use more training and experience on rural roads according to data from a survey by the Road Safety Analysis Company and Michelin Tyre Company.  According to the poll young drivers are more likely to drive unsafely on rural roads than urban roads.  Two in five of 17 to 24 year old drivers admitted to driving faster on rural roads.  When considering that government data confirms that this same age group of drivers is 44% more likely to be in an injury causing accident on rural roads than other roadways it is alarming that young drivers seek to drive faster on more dangerous roads.

The survey included accident data from the years 2007 to 2011.  Driving in the dark contributed to accidents on rural roads in which young drivers were 63% more likely to have an accident than in daylight hours.  They were also 52% more likely to have an accident in a bend in the road in rural areas and 28% more likely to lose control of their car and have an accident if driving on a rural road.

The survey involved 700 drivers in the age group of 17 to 25 years of age.  The young drivers admitted to believing because they were familiar with the rural roads they traveled that they were capable of driving faster.  They also admitted that they did not expect to be caught speeding by authorities in rural areas.  Up to 41% of those polled admitted to speeding on rural roads.

The survey showed that young drivers were open to their driver training involving rural road areas (40%) and lessons involving driving in the dark (39%).  They were less favorable of the considerations by government to extend the learning period to a minimum of one year (14%) and on restrictions for night time driving (9%).