Hitting the road can help hard-working professionals get some needed downtime from their daily grind, and can provide valuable bonding experiences for friends and families.
Letting your hair down doesn’t mean you have to let your guard down. Careful planning, including taking two-way radios along for the ride , can help ensure a safe vacation.
The old Boy Scout motto “Be prepared” contains good words to live by when packing for a road trip. Before your next excursion, take the time to include these items in your travel bag:
Emergency gear. Make sure that you have a full emergency kit for your vehicle. Check your spare tire to see if it’s inflated, and also make sure you have jumper cables, a set of socket wrenches, and a flashlight. Emergency air compressors and battery chargers are also great products.
First aid and medications. Make sure that you have a first aid kit with bandages, pain relievers, antacids, and other basic gear. Also, make sure that everyone on the trip has all their necessary medications, as filling a prescription out of town can be frustrating.
Comfort items. Bring blankets, pillows, and jackets just in case unanticipated weather or an unexpected delay requires you to spend the night in your vehicle.
Two-way radios. If you’re taking more than one vehicle, it’s a good idea to include walkie-talkies in your gear. Walkie-talkies will allow you to communicate with the other vehicles in your group and can come in handy if cell service is down.
Paper products. You never really realize how necessary toilet paper and paper towels are until you need them and don’t have them. Pack some in your gear to handle spills, sniffles, and any other needs that may arise.
Documentation. Make sure you have your license and insurance information in the glove box. If you’re crossing the Canadian or Mexican border, also be sure to have a passport.