Public Safety Issues Holiday Travel Tips

The following press release was issued by the Spartanburg Public Safety on Monday
Holiday Travel
Spartanburg, SC (December 22, 2008): A few simple steps before leaving your home and while traveling can help keep you and your family safe during the holidays.

Before Leaving Your Home
• Notify neighbors and/or family of your travel plans and leave your contact information.
• Check the weather report for weather advisories and plan accordingly.
• Stop mail service or arrange for friends/family to pickup your mail.
• Make sure all windows and doors are locked.
• Unplug unnecessary items to reduce hazards and save energy!
• Lower heating system thermostats but do not turn the system off – turning off a heating system can result in frozen and burst water pipes.
• Leave selected exterior and interior lights on for safety. Timers can be purchased for indoor lamps or lights so they will not run continuously.
• Be sure all extra heating sources, such as portable heaters, fireplaces or wood stoves are off and cool. Make sure all candles have been extinguished.
• If you will be leaving any pets in the house be sure to survey your home for any items that could cause a hazard to your pet or home. As an example, stoves with surface or counter top mounted controllers can be activated by pets and pose a significant fire hazard.
• If your Police Department offers a “Keep Check” program, notify them of your trip and contact information.

Safe Travel
• Check your vehicle tire pressure, including your spare tire, before starting your trip
• Make sure your vehicle is in good working order well in advance of the trip. Windshield washer fluid, radiator coolant, engine oil, and transmission fluid should be rechecked before traveling.
• Keep basic tools for minor repairs in your vehicle.
• Maintain a fire extinguisher in your vehicle.
• Always wear seat belts. Use appropriate car seats or booster seats for children. Contact your local Fire Department or Safe Kids representative to inquire about car seat inspection programs.
• During cold weather, remember, bridges and ramps freeze before other roadway surfaces.
• Create a vehicle emergency kit. The kit should be setup based on the expected weather conditions that you may encounter. Include flashlights and road flares, warm gloves and hats, blankets, and food and water for a couple days.
• Carry a cellular telephone and vehicle charger for the phone while you travel.
• Never leave children in a vehicle unattended, especially a running vehicle.
• Never drink and drive.
• Always turn your engine off when fueling your vehicle. Do not use your cell phone during fueling. If you get in your vehicle, be sure to touch your vehicle body or a “static discharge strip” (provided at some service stations) before touching the fuel nozzle. Never smoke while using or near fueling stations.

Hotel/Motel Safety
• Just like at home, you should always have an emergency escape plan at hotels, friends, and relatives homes.
• We recommend that when you are making hotel reservations ask if the hotel is protected by a “Fire Sprinkler System” – staying at hotels with a fire sprinkler system greatly improves your chance of survival should a fire occur.
• When traveling with small children or persons with disabilities try to request a room on the first floor or at least the lower four floors of the hotel.
• Always take time to familiarize yourself and family with a hotel’s emergency escape plan. These plans are usually posted on the back of your bedroom door and additional information is offered in the hotel guide.
• Take time to familiarize yourself with the location of the stairwells or the two nearest exits. Consider counting the number of doors between your room and the exits as smoke may obstruct your view during a fire emergency.
• In case of a fire use the stairways, do not use the elevators.
• If for any reason you feel uncomfortable about a hotels safety or security contact the front desk. If you are not happy with their response – ask for a refund and find a hotel/motel that is concerned about your safety.

Take charge of your family’s safety and plan ahead before your holiday travels. Please contact the Spartanburg Fire Division for additional advice or information. Additional safety tips can be found on the Public Safety Website at http://spsdonline.org.