Advice for Teens on Road Trips

[beachbunny]

Here are some great tips for teens (like myself) going on Road Trips this summer.

Things to PACK in your car for safety:
- a few gallons of spring water
- jumper cables
- blankets
- candles
- windshield washer fluid
- extra container of gas in case you run out
- garbage bags for trash
- wet wips - it's amazing how much you can spill!
- sunglasses/sunblock
- equipment for changing a flat tire -- a FULL SIZE SPARE instead of a donut, a jack, tire pressure gauge, "fix-a-flat", etc..
- cell phone AND car charger for your phone!
- prepaid phone card in case your cell phone breaks/no service/etc at leats you could use a nearby payphone
- list of emergency numbers and everyone who is with you should add their relatives to this list
- first aid kit
- clear list of your plans for the trip
- binoculars if you have them
- batteries
- toilet paper
- rope
- duct tape
- spare lighters & matches
- flashlight/spotlight
- paper towels
- some work gloves
- some basic canned food
- a couple spare towels
- a small fire extinguisher
- flares
- pocket knife
- an extra copy of your map (how many people lose their map!!)
- pepper sprays

Pepper spray requires a permit in some states, be sure to research this with your police department... you may need to apply for a special permit, but I would definitely advise traveling with pepper spray especially if you are a female. If you do travel with pepper spray, be sure to keep it somewhere accessible to all passengers (eg: in a console, glovebox, etc) because if it is packed away in your trunk-- what good will it do?

This list may seem long, but most of these items are small and can fit into a suitcase/backpack or take up little space in your trunk. A great strategy I use is clear, plastic, tupperware containers. Label these containers and sort your supplies out into different containers -- ex: sanitary supplies, medical supplies, safety supplies, food supplies, car supplies, etc. The clear containers will help because you will be able to see clearly what is in each container. Also, these containers will be organized and take up little space in your trunk.

Another great tip -- Each day, have one of your passengers write down where you are and what you are doing. These "safety notes" are a great idea. Simply write a few sentences each time you do something and DATE THE NOTES. For example: "4-1-2005: Today we are in Boston, MA. It is 5:00PM and we are meeting up with a few friends for dinner at 6:00--Martha Smith, John Doe, and Ryan Carter. We are planning to go to a restaurant called Fire & Ice in Harvard Square, Cambridge. Martha 617-555-555 / John 617-555-5551 / Ryan 617-555-5552."
Leave these notes in your car, in the glovebox for example. This way, if something happens where you do not return to your car, and your family is unable to contact you, they will be able to use the information you wrote down to hopefully get in touch with you. These notes are great in an emergency, because law enforcement will be able to "retrack your steps" and hopefully locate you. It is important to write down the phone numbers, and if possible the addresses of anyone you meet along your trip, "just in case".

Use common sense, and stay away from areas that appear dangerous. Trust your instincts, and you will have a great time!

Hope these tips help! Have fun on the road!