If you think you are the only family preparing to travel on Thanksgiving, think again. Many people take advantage of this holiday to reunite with loved ones who live far away. Make the most of this time you have with your family by preparing for your trip the right way. Safety measures should be taken prior to leaving and during your trip. This will help you prevent accidents, injuries, and other unnecessary mishaps on the road or in the air.

As you begin to make your travel preparations, you may realize this Thanksgiving could be very different than others. Hurricane Sandy may have happened a couple weeks ago, but her aftermath remains. Due to this disaster, you must be extra careful when flying out or driving in New York and along the East Coast. Here are some tips to follow that will help make your Thanksgiving a safe one despite hurricane damages:

Flying:
• Due to the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the airlines are serving fewer passengers by offering fewer flights than in the past. The demand for last minute Thanksgiving airline tickets will be very high, so be persistent and prepared for the worst.
• Leave plenty of time to check in and go through security once you get to the airport.
• Don’t let frustration get the best of you. Try to focus on getting to your destination to see your friends and family.
• Nowadays, almost all airlines have baggage fees. Be sure you have cash, a debit card, or a credit card to cover this expense at check-in.

Driving:
• If you are driving to your destination, your best option is to stick to main roads to maintain safety.
• Know how to get to your destination, even if an alternative route needs to be taken along the way.
• Be prepared before you leave home by packing emergency numbers, your first aid kit, and other necessities to ensure a safe trip.
• Always be alert of your surroundings when driving on Thanksgiving and on any day. Don’t put your family at risk for accident by becoming distracted.

Keep in mind that although you may be taking measures to keep your loved ones safe in the air and on the road, not everyone is doing the same. Be a defensive traveler so you can get to your family and friends easily and safely. At Hickey-Finn & Co, Inc., we hope these tips help make your Thanksgiving a memorable one. We wish you a safe arrival and departure wherever you may be going this year!

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