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5 Top Things All Dads Should Know on the Road

Couple reading road map – Image Courtesy of Pexels

There is more to driving than simply going somewhere in your car. There are dangers and situations. So here are some things all dads should know when hitting the road.

Who to Call When It Hits the Fan

A flat tire, engine blowout, or even the dreaded car crash. These are all unfortunate, and you never wish them to happen. But not knowing what to do or who to call can make it far worse. Fortunately, there are companies like Cars Protection Plus that can help. From finding you the best roadside assistance companies to getting your car insured, car protection services can help you out when it comes to managing the worst. When it comes to car protection, it’s best to have and not need than need and not have some valuable services.

Insurance isn’t the only thing you may need to consider when driving on the roads. With populations growing, there are more people on the road and with it more chance of an accident occuring that wasn’t your fault. This means it’s important to know where to find and contact a St. Petersburg car accident attorney or one in your vicinity to help guide you through handling an accident and potentially receive compensation should one occur

How to Drive Safely

You can’t predict what will happen when on the roads. Through no fault of your own, you could experience a vehicle fault or get hit by a drunk driver. But of course, there’s no substitute for driving safely, just as you learned when you first got behind the wheel. Unfortunately, over time, it’s common for people to develop their own bad driving habits. And you mustn’t fall into this trap. Some examples include tailgating, sharp braking, and not using turn signals. If in doubt, use traffic websites to brush up on things, and be a good example for your children and teens.

All Dads Should Know How to Change a Tire

Changing a tire on the roadside is an essential skill when driving. Yet shockingly, one survey in the UK found that 75% of millennials don’t know how. Changing a tire helps you get back on the road as quickly as possible so you can continue your journey. But it also reduces the time spent on the shoulder, meaning you are less likely to become a statistic. Additionally, you will save a ton of money. Calling someone to change a tire for you will cost a considerable amount of out-of-pocket cash. However, even when going through your insurance, it won’t be free.

When to Change Oil and Coolant

Have you ever wondered what those lights on the dashboard are for? They’re the warning lights, so never ignore them. There are tons of warning lights in your car. Engine failure, no fuel, and oil and water. Oil and coolant are essential for your vehicle. Coolant helps keep your engine, well, cool. Engines get hot when you use them, and they can malfunction if they get too hot. You can use water if you have no coolant, but it will run out quicker. Oil is vital for lubricating the moving engine parts. Otherwise, they will overheat or break because of the friction. To make sure your car is running the best it can you should have the engine regularly checked to avoid any common engine misdiagnoses or issues that may impact the car and your safety.

How to Read a Map

Of course, it’s so easy to use Google Maps or something similar to find your way around these days. But a signal or access to a device isn’t always available. So you might have to grab your old dust catcher and navigate as in the olden days. Before GPS technology, only road maps would get you where you needed to be. And they didn’t tell you the best bars along the way. Learning to read a road map isn’t too much of a challenge, and it’s a skill you keep for life. But you will need to take some time to learn it and practice while out on the road.

Summary

Knowing who to call in an unfortunate event, how to change a tire, and reading a map without Google. These are all things every dad should know when venturing out on the open road.

Tips that will Help you to Survive a Road Trip with a Big Family

If you have a large family then you may find it easier to travel in ways that are somewhat different to everyone else’s. A lot of this comes from the fact that even the smallest cost can be multiplied, and if you aren’t careful, you may find that things slowly begin to spiral out of control. If you want to help yourself then this is the guide for you.

Agree on Screen Time with your Kids

When you go on a road trip, it is a good idea for you to agree on screen time. It’s a good idea for you to mix things up by having various forms of entertainment. You may find that you have a DVD player that’s portable so you can watch movies, or it may be that you download some games for your children onto your phone or your tablet. Older kids tend to be very happy to play on their phones so it may be a good idea for you to save the tablet or the bigger screens for your smaller kids.

Source: Pexels (CC0 License)

Don’t Skimp out on Snacks

Make sure that you have enough snacks for everyone. This is very important. You can bring cups if you need to pass around some messy snacks, including crisps or pretzels if you want. You can also help to portion out everyone a nice size of snack without having to worry about a thing. If you do this, then you will soon find that you have way less cleaning up to do as well, and this is major, to say the least.

Space

Next up, space. Space is a very important consideration if you have kids because you probably don’t have any control whatsoever. In a lot of cases, the vehicle you take is the only vehicle you have. When your car starts out being cluttered and full of bags, you’ll soon find that you end up having to compromise space for everyone else before you even set off. If you want to work around this, then it is a good idea for you to rent a car. If you have two cars, consider taking them both. This may sound excessive, but you’d be surprised at how much this could help you. If you can’t take two cars because you have a DUI, then do a search for “criminal defense attorney near me”.

Break Time is Important

Depending on how long you intend to travel for, or even the age of your kids, you will probably need to stop off a couple of times along the way. If this is a route that you have taken many times before, then you may also have your favorite rest stops picked out. You can then go to the bathroom, take a small rest or even just relax on some grass while your kids let off some steam. The older kids can easily participate in this, and it gives your kids the chance to get out of the car for a bit.

How to Pack For a Family Trip

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Family adventure holidays are great fun and are a chance to get out on your bikes together, go swimming, have picnics, and enjoy the great outdoors, all while spending valuable time together.

Unfortunately, family trips don’t come without their challenges. Arguably, one of the most stressful things about family trips is getting organized and packing. Have you thought of everything you need? Is there enough to keep everyone happy and entertained? 

To help reduce the stress when packing for your trip, here are some top tips to get started. 

#1 Plan your trip 

It is important that you first plan your trip completely, as this will dictate everything you need to pack. Research the location and amenities, so you know what you need to bring with you, and what you can buy on site. Check the weather (and double-check it just before you leave as you know how unpredictable it can be at times!) to ensure you have the correct clothing. Lastly, plan all your activities, so you can bring all the correct equipment, perhaps you are going to take your electric bikes, or plan to head out for some watersports. Knowing what you are doing will make packing so much easier. 

#2 Create a list

Once you know where you are going, and what adventures you will take part in, you should create a packing list. Sometimes it is the basic or the little things that are forgotten when going on a trip. It is easy to just think about the clothes and toiletries, but there are lots of other things you may need. Perhaps you need cash, medication, or particular equipment for your activities. It can be helpful in this case to run through what you will do day-to-day and write down all the items associated with each task. This will help you to create one big inventory list for the trip, and ensure you don’t forget anything (or as little as possible!) For example: 

  • If you are heading to the beach, make sure you have swimming costumes, towels, and sunscreen. 
  • If you are heading out on electric bikes, make sure you have a tire pump, a 42V e-bike charger, and helmets. 

#3 Find a balance

When traveling with children, it is easy to go overboard and pack too many items. It is important to pack the necessities, but you don’t want to sting yourself and be left with lots of weight to lug around for the entire trip. If you have young children, perhaps research the accommodation, location, and local amenities to see what entertainment, parks, and even diapers can be utilized when you get there. Just a few toys and books should be a great start. The same goes for food, you may not need to take too much, if you are traveling near a store where you can purchase food when you get there. 

#4 Give everyone their own backpack 

When you assign everyone their own backpack, you not only provide your young ones with a sense of responsibility, but it can also help limit the number of items you take with you, as they will have to carry them themselves. This also ensures that everyone’s items are packed, and remain individual responsibility. 

Packing for a family trip can be a challenge, but with sufficient planning in advance, you can be sure to pack everything you need and have an excellent trip.