| Everytime you turn on the news you hear about | | | | air bubble and jump pack. An air bubble |
| a violent crime. No wonder so many single | | | | holds about 120lbs. of air. If you have a |
| mothers are hesitant to travel alone with | | | | flat and are unable to get help, hopefully |
| their children. They fear for their | | | | your tire will hold air long enough to limp |
| safety.I'm a single mom. Yet I love to take | | | | into the next town. The jump pack will come |
| long road trips across the United States with | | | | in handy should your car battery die. Just |
| my son. And having traveled so often over the | | | | remember to charge it before you leave home. |
| past few years, I've developed a few safety | | | | If you're traveling during the winter months, |
| tips that my son and I always follow. If | | | | it's good to pack a flashlight, candles, |
| you're a single mom, these tips should work | | | | blankets and a first aid kit.PACK YOUR CAR |
| for you and your family, too. | | | | FOR COMFORTInevitably you will end up eating |
| | | | in your car. Pack baby wipes and trash bags |
| Here they are:JOIN AN AUTO CLUBPrior to | | | | to keep your car clean. Pack snacks and |
| leaving on your trip, join an auto club. Get | | | | water and plastic bins for souvenirs. A |
| on line and type in "Auto Clubs" at a good | | | | clean, organized car is much more pleasant |
| search engine, like to find one.Auto Club | | | | for traveling. It's also safer since you |
| memberships offer tow service, gas delivery, | | | | won't be rummaging around trying to find |
| jump starts, and assistance with mechanical | | | | something while your driving.PACK YOUR CAR |
| problems, plus other services a single mom on | | | | FOR FUN AND ENTERTAINMENTTake along CDs, |
| the road might need. Also, many auto clubs | | | | books on tape, crayons, coloring books, and |
| have discount agreements with hotels and will | | | | activity books to keep the kids entertained |
| send you free maps and vacation | | | | so you can give your full attention to |
| brochures.HAVE YOUR CAR SERVICEDBefore you | | | | driving.MAKE YOUR HOTEL STAY SAFEStay at |
| pull out of the driveway and onto the | | | | hotels where your door does not lead directly |
| highway, make sure your car is in good | | | | to the outside. Most hotels now require a |
| working order. Take your car to a reputable | | | | room key to access the hotel from exterior |
| auto service station. Have your oil and air | | | | doors.Every evening, check the weather |
| filter changed. You will get better gas | | | | conditions along your driving route. Join a |
| mileage. While you're there, have them check | | | | hotel points program. They will give you |
| your windshield wiper fluid and the freon | | | | phone numbers and the location of their |
| level in your air conditioner. Check the air | | | | hotels at your next destination. Many give |
| pressure in your tires. Make sure your tires | | | | discounts on room rates and you can earn |
| are in good shape and the treads aren't | | | | points towards a free stay.DRIVE SAFELYDon't |
| worn.Make sure all your car door locks work. | | | | take back roads. Always stay on main |
| Also, because you don't want to advertise | | | | highways. Go to gas stations that are busy. |
| that you're traveling alone with your | | | | Watch your surroundings as you drive along |
| children, think about having your windows | | | | and be aware of cars behind you. If someone |
| tinted for privacy, if they aren't already. | | | | stops you, make sure they are authorized to |
| Window tinting for an average size SUV will | | | | do so. Of course, never leave your car and |
| cost about $200.00 dollars.DON'T TRAVEL WITH | | | | get in a stranger's car, for any reason.TEACH |
| LARGE AMOUNTS OF CASHInstead of bringing | | | | YOUR CHILDREN TO BE SAFEBefore you leave on |
| large amounts of cash with you, always pay | | | | your trip, teach or review with your children |
| for gas, hotel rooms, and souvenirs with a | | | | how to be safe around strangers. DANGER |
| credit card and get a receipt. Keep your | | | | STRANGER! Never let your small children go |
| receipts and check them against your monthly | | | | into a rest stop restroom alone. Always |
| statement. It's good to take at least two | | | | escort them.BE PREPAREDBuy a can of mace to |
| credit cards, in case one credit card company | | | | keep in your car, and don't be afraid to use |
| doesn't approve a purchase, Many times, for | | | | it if you must. Anyone's car can break down |
| your protection, your credit card company | | | | in the middle of nowhere. Be prepared if you |
| will deny a purchase if you try to use the | | | | find yourself in a seemingly dangerous |
| card outside of the area where you usually | | | | location.You may think of other safety tips |
| make purchases.Carry cash for small | | | | for yourself and your children. The point |
| purchases. Buy travelers' checks for backup | | | | is, make safety a part of planning a road |
| cash. However, be prepared to pay a fee for | | | | trip with your kids, then get out there and |
| cashing them at a bank.PACK YOUR CAR FOR | | | | see the country! There's no reason to |
| SAFETYMake sure to take your cell phone and | | | | hesitate.Carol Boles has a master's degree in |
| its charger. Call family members | | | | Special Reading and an Educational Specialist |
| periodically. Let them know your itinerary, | | | | degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She has |
| where you are each day, and which hotels you | | | | over ten years experience teaching K-12 |
| are staying in. Collect all your state maps, | | | | reading in public schools. She now manages |
| your US almanac and vacation brochures and | | | | her own business and is a member of The |
| store them in a canvas bag for easy access. | | | | Lieurance Group, a freelance writers |
| Even if your car has ON-Star capability, have | | | | cooperative. |
| maps for a backup.Purchase a small portable | | | | |