The holidays often mean car travel and possibly even a road trip. Is your car ready for a road trip? Here are some tips to help you when preparing for a road trip.

Get your car checked out. Although this year road trips might be a bit shorter than normal, nobody wants to be stuck on the side of the road with a broken-down car. Even if your car has not been having major problems, it is a good idea to have it looked at before you hit the road. Schedule a tune-up one to two weeks before you leave on your road trip. Your mechanic will do things like check your car’s engine, tire pressure, oil, lights, battery, and brakes. If you have AAA, double-check that your policy is up to date before you leave. Also, double-check that your car’s registration and auto insurance information are in the car and up to date. Nobody plans on having an accident during a road trip, but it is important to have that information handy should one happen.

Stock and pack emergency kits. Emergencies are always unexpected, especially when they happen during a road trip. Having first aid and roadside emergency kits stocked and packed could help you be prepared should an emergency happen during your road trip. Your first aid kit should include items like sterile gauze pads, adhesive tape, Band-Aids in several sizes, elastic bandage, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen, tweezers, scissors, latex gloves, disposable instant cold packs, a splint, and a thermometer. You should also make sure you have a blanket, a couple bottles of water, a flashlight, and extra batteries for the flashlight in your car. In your roadside emergency kit, make sure you include flares, a seatbelt cutter, whistle, jumper cables, and a tool kit.

Know how to change a flat. Flat tires are a common but usually easy problem to solve. If you have the right tools and a spare tire, you can change the flat tire yourself! You’ll need a car jack, lug wrench, wheel wedges, and work gloves. Have someone show you how to change a flat before you leave on your road trip and practice a couple times so you feel confident.

Make sure someone is checking your home. Even if your road trip only has you gone for a couple days, it is a good idea to have someone check in on your home while you’re away. Make a list of the things that you need your house sitter to check on while you’re away - things like bringing in the trash barrels and the mail, watering the Christmas tree, or checking a sump pump. These might seem like small tasks, but having someone keep eyes on your house means that if someone goes wrong (think a leak or a burst pipe), you can be alerted right away! You may also want to put some lights on timers while you are away to give the appearance that someone is home. This will help deter burglars and keep your home safe while you are away.

Zammito Insurance is always available to answer your questions regarding auto insurance as well as business, home, and renter's insurance. Give us a call at (781) 762-6732 to find out more.