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