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