How to stay safe when travelling
Protect your family and home while away on holiday
Whether you’re flying off to warmer climes, going on a road trip for a few days or simply taking a trip to the seaside, it’s important to ensure the safety of you, your family and your belongings when you’re away from home.
Here are our top tips to help your time away from home go smoothly - whatever life throws at you.
Tools & materials required
Essentials when travelling
Do your homework before driving abroad
If you're planning to drive abroad, stock up on all of the required or recommended equipment for your car before you leave. Headlamp benders mean your right hand drive vehicle headlamps won't dazzle other drivers at night and are compulsory in most European countries. You may need a GB sticker throughout Europe, and countries outside of the EU may insist on them even if you have a GB sticker as part of your number plate. And don't forget to check whether you need a warning triangle too.
Pack a first aid kit
The exact contents of your first aid kit will depend on your travel plans and the needs of your family, but even a basic kit can help when travelling. Some are even designed with motoring in mind. Hopefully you won't have to use it, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Be ready for an emergency breakdown
Before you set off on a long car journey, give your car a home MOT. But if something does go wrong, we’ve got everything you’ll need - from jump leads and rechargeable car battery starter packs with built-in compressors and USB chargers, to petrol cans and engine oil.
You may also want a torch in case you breakdown at night. Look for LED torches for a longer battery life or a hands free model in case you need to do any running repairs.
Prepare your car for colder climates
If you’re travelling during the winter or you’re off to a colder country, it’s worth remembering that your car can sometimes bear the brunt of bad weather - snow, ice and a lot of rain can all take their toll. Fortunately, there are some simple precautions we can all take to help protect our cars against damage. As well as cold weather essentials that are easy to store away in the car boot. Head to our helpful guide for more information and ideas.
Stay charged
We’ve all been there – running out of phone charge when you’re using the map or keeping the kids entertained with videos. It can be a nightmare, but with a mobile phone in-car charger, you’ll never run out of battery on the move again. Look out for models suitable for charging two devices at one time including MP3 players and digital cameras.
Get comfortable and cosy
Help the kids settle comfortably in the car with a children's blanket. This cosy piece of home will keep them snug when they fall asleep, and with our colourful range packed with popular characters, they'll be sure to find a new favourite travel buddy. Or opt for something a bit more traditional with a tartan travel blanket. This versatile classic is perfect for popping in the boot just in case the weather turns unexpectedly cold - or even for an impromptu picnic when the sun comes out.
Keep your luggage secure
Add an extra layer of security to your suitcases with combination or key padlocks to keep your belongings safe whether in a car, coach or on a plane. That way you can be confident that your things are protected, however long you’re separated from your luggage. And if using a roof rack on your car, fasten any bags to it with a ratchet strap or two.
Essentials while away from home
Keep belongings safe
While most hotels offer a safe for your valuables upon arrival, a small, portable travel safe is great for securing mobile phones, passports, jewellery, wallets or keys when on the beach, by the pool or in transit. It's protected by a combination system, which helps keep everything secure.
Protect yourself from the sun
If you’re off to sunnier spots, sun cream is essential. But do remember that even if the sun isn’t that hot, protection will still be needed if you, or any of your family, are exposed to it for too long. Water resistant sun cream absorbs or reflects some of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation and so helps protect against sunburn - ideal when splashing around in the sea or swimming pool.
Protect small children
Enjoy all the fun of a holiday without compromising on your child's safety.
A 2-in-1 backpack and harness is the ideal way to introduce smaller children to the adventure of a holiday. The detachable reins keep your child close when in busy environments and the supportive handle offers extra help while they're learning to walk, ride a bike or roller skate. It also gives them the independence of carrying their own belongings and frees up space in your bags.
And if you're enjoying a break in warmer or colder climes, keep an eye on the room's temperature with a Gro-Egg. These clever, colour-changing thermometers let you know at a glance if the temperature has gotten too low or too high for comfort - something babies and small children are unable to communicate. Compact and easy to transport, they're ideal for holidays or all year round at home.
Keep an eye on your home
Don’t be concerned about your home while you’re away. With our range of easy to use security cameras, you can see and hear what’s happening in your home or office when you’re not there. You can even set up alerts via a mobile app to your smartphone or tablet when something isn’t quite right, allowing you to relax while you’re on your travels.