Many people enjoy travelling to learn about new and different cultures, history and traditions. And, as this type of travel increases, so does the risk of kidnappings, muggings, hotel break-ins and other crimes. Use these tips to protect yourself when you travel abroad.

TRAVEL TIPS

• Familiarize yourself with local customs and laws, as you are subject to them while travelling
• Avoid using taxis when possible. Instead, have your hotel’s concierge service book a reliable driver or car service for you.
• Bring small door and window locks with you while travelling, and use them in your hotel room.
• Don’t let anyone into your hotel room unless you can see who they are through the door’s peephole.
• Make sure to pack a flashlight in case you go out in a dark area or the power goes out.
• Leave copies of your itinerary and passport with friends and family at home.

HELPFUL HINTS

Don’t get distracted while you’re site-seeing. Thieves will often work together to distract their targets before stealing from them. At the same time, always keep a hand on your wallet or purse to make sure that it doesn’t get stolen as you take your surroundings in.

Did You Know?

Recent studies have found that talking on a cell phone while driving impairs one’s ability even more than driving while intoxicated. Talking on a cell phone and other driver distractions pose a major hazard to everyone on the road.

PREVENTING DISTRACTED DRIVING

To minimize risks while driving:

• Do not talk on your cell phone or use the text messaging feature.
• If you absolutely must conduct a conversation use a hands-free device and speed dial.
• Never touch up your makeup or hair in the rear-view mirror.
• Limit your conversations with passengers and ask them to keep their voices down so you can concentrate.
• Do not smoke while you are driving, as you will probably pay more attention to not burning yourself or putting out the cigarette than driving safely.
• Only adjust the radio or CD player when you are completely stopped.
• Never allow animals to sit on your lap while driving.
• Do not eat or drink while driving.
• Avoid reading maps or directions. Instead, pull into a parking lot to get your bearings and determine where you need to go next to reach your final destination.
• Do not take notes or search for phone numbers.
• Never use a cell phone (even with a hands-free device) in bad weather, work zones or heavy traffic.

Safety First

Allowing yourself to become distracted while driving can lead to dangerous, and even fatal, consequences. Be a responsible motorist and make paying attention to the road your number one priority when you’re behind the wheel.

Tips for preventing injury while preparing food

Preparing food can be a very enjoyable and rewarding experience. But a busy kitchen can be a dangerous place as well. The ingredient needed to ensure your safety on the job? Practice an ounce of prevention with the following safety tips. After all, you’ll want to enjoy the holiday with your family.

 Using Kitchen Equipment

• Use push sticks or tamps to push food into machines; never use your hands to push items through.
• Turn off and unplug machines before disassembling or cleaning.
• Never open lids or put your hands into machines while they are on.
• Use hot pads when removing items from the microwave or oven to avoid burns.
• Never place metal, foil or whole eggs into the microwave.
• Stand to the side of a steamer and open the door using the lid as a shield between the machine and your body.
• Always use the machine guarding provided for appliances.

Working with Knives

• Cut in the direction away from your body, keeping your fingers out of the way.
• Wear steel mesh gloves to protect your hands.
• Never try to catch a falling knife.
• Carry knives with the cutting edge angled away from your body and the tip pointed down.

Preventing Strains

• Always lift with your knees and not your back.
• If you’re standing for long periods of time, use a foot rest to shift your weight back and forth.
• Keep your elbows close to your body while cooking.
• If possible, use appliances to cut, dice and mix foods instead of doing it by hand.
• Rotate through various stations to avoid doing the same task repetitively and straining a muscle.

Preventing Slips and Falls

• Clean up spills immediately and use cones or signs to indicate a wet floor.
• Wear non-slip footwear with the laces tied tight.
• Use non-slip floor mats on surfaces that tend to get wet.

Do you love hitting the open road and seeking adventure in a travel trailer? Then you need the appropriate insurance coverage. Ing & McKee Insurance Ltd can help!

Since your trailer is more than just your vehicle, you need insurance that covers more than a typical auto insurance policy. Consider this:

• You store things in your travel trailer that you would not keep in your car, including jewellery, a computer, television, outdoor camping gear or a camcorder.
• When parking your trailer at a campsite, you are liable for other people’s safety around your trailer.
• If you have an accident while travelling, you will need a place to stay while the trailer is being repaired.

Without an insurance policy, none of these would be covered in the event of a loss.