It’s just that everywhere is very busy now that Christmas and New Year are approaching. Because of the busyness of the roads, the possibility of accidents is also high. So, if your family plans to travel this holiday season, here are some holiday travel safety tips that you should keep in mind.
Holiday Travel Safety Tips for a Safe Christmas Vacation
Have your vehicle checked.
Take your family car to a repair specialist for an inspection. It’s important to check the vehicle’s fluids, as well as wear-and-tear parts and other consumables. This is especially important if you’re planning a long trip. Keeping your car well-maintained will ensure a safe and stress-free vacation with your family.
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Schedule your holiday trip
It’s important to plan your travel. When planning your vacation, it’s important to include finding alternate routes to your destination. Before leaving home, plan where you’ll be going, which place you’ll be visiting first, and which one you’ll be visiting last.
If you’re going to the mall, it’s better to go early so you don’t have to struggle to find a parking space and at this time of day, the lines at the stores in the mall aren’t that long.
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Be vigilant and careful.
Since many places are definitely crowded, it is also possible for pickpockets to flourish. Therefore, remember to be vigilant around you. Take care of valuables. It is also important to be careful from car-related break-ins and thefts. You can install an alarm, immobilizer system, theft deterrent devices on your vehicle so that it does not become easy prey for carnappers.
Also, place your belongings in a place that is not immediately visible to people outside. Do not leave valuables such as cellphones, wallets, laptops, and other important items in the car.
Additionally, before you turn off the car engine, it is important to look around first. Make sure there are no suspicious people before getting out of the car. The same goes for withdrawing money from an ATM. Before opening the car, also make sure there are no suspicious people waiting for you.
Other holiday travel safety tips to keep in mind
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- Designate a driver if there will be alcohol at your gathering. Make sure the assigned driver hasn’t consumed any alcohol.
- Fasten your seat belts. Everyone — including kids — should buckle up before driving off.
- Pack essential medications like pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medicine, and a first aid kit for minor emergencies.
- Be familiar with emergency exits if commuting or taking public transport.
- Label your luggage with your name and phone number.
- Keep valuables in your carry-on and within reach.
- Before leaving home, unplug appliances, turn off Christmas lights, and ensure the gas tank is securely closed to prevent fires.
Health Alert: Protect Your Family from Meningitis (IMD) This Holiday Season
Aside from road safety, parents should also be aware of infectious diseases that can spread during busy travel periods, especially invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), a serious infection that can lead to life-threatening complications within hours.
IMD is a fast-progressing bacterial infection that can cause meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord lining) and sepsis (blood infection). It affects all age groups but infants, young children, adolescents, and travelers are particularly at risk.¹⁻⁵
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There are 1.2 million cases of IMD globally each year, with a fatality rate of 10–15%.¹²
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Up to 30% of survivors suffer from long-term complications such as amputation, hearing loss, cognitive impairment, or seizures.³⁻⁵
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The disease can progress within hours, with 85% of deaths occurring within 24 hours of diagnosis.⁶
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Early symptoms may resemble the flu such as fever, headache, nausea, and fatigue, but a sudden hemorrhagic rash (dark or purplish spots on the skin) may appear as the infection spreads rapidly.⁷
How IMD Spreads
Meningococcal bacteria spread through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, requiring close contact. The incubation period is usually 3–4 days (range: 1–10 days), and patients can remain contagious up to 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment.⁸
Who Are at Risk?
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Infants, due to underdeveloped immunity and waning maternal antibodies.⁹
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Adolescents, because of close living quarters, high carriage rates, and social behaviors.¹⁰
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Travelers, especially those visiting the African meningitis belt or attending mass gatherings like the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.¹¹
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Elderly individuals who have reduced immune system function with age.¹²
Protect Your Family
The best protection against IMD is vaccination. Parents are encouraged to consult their pediatrician about the MenACWY or MenB vaccines, which help prevent serious meningococcal infections.¹³ Maintaining good hygiene, frequent handwashing, covering coughs, and avoiding sharing utensils also reduce risk.
By being cautious on the road and proactive about your family’s health, you can make this Christmas and New Year truly joyful and safe.
¹ Cherry, J. D., Harrison, G. J., Kaplan, S. L., Steinbach, W., & Hotez, P. J. (2019). Meningococcal disease. In Feigin and Cherry’s Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (8th ed., pp. 898–912). Elsevier.
² Orenstein, W. A., Offit, P. A., Edwards, K. M., & Plotkin, S. A. (2024). Meningococcal Capsular Group A, C, W, and Y Conjugate Vaccines. In Plotkin’s Vaccines (8th ed., pp. 664–689). Elsevier.
³ Liu, G., Gonzales, M. L. A. M., Chan, W. H., et al. (2025). Joint consensus on reducing the burden of invasive meningococcal disease in the Asia-Pacific region. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2025.247796
⁴ PR Newswire. (2014). Unique portraits of child meningitis survivors. Retrieved January 23, 2025, from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unique-portraits-of-child-meningitis-survivors-244606341.html
⁵ Bobde, S., Sohn, W. Y., Bekkat-Berkani, R., et al. (2024). The diverse spectrum of invasive meningococcal disease in pediatric and adolescent patients. Infectious Diseases Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40121-023-00906-x
⁶ Hovmand, N., et al. (2021). Nonspecific symptoms dominate at first contact to emergency healthcare services among cases with invasive meningococcal disease. BMC Family Practice. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-021-01585-8
⁷ Thompson, M. J., et al. (2006). Clinical recognition of meningococcal disease in children and adolescents. The Lancet, 367(9508), 397–403. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(06)67932-4
⁸ American Academy of Pediatrics. (2024). Red Book 2024–2027: Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases (33rd ed.). AAP.
⁹ Shepard, C. W., et al. (2003). Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 22(5), 418–422.
¹⁰ Burman, C., Serra, L., Nuttens, C., Presa, J., Balmer, P., & York, L. (2018). Meningococcal disease in adolescents and young adults: A review of the rationale for prevention through vaccination. Expert Review of Vaccines. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2018.1528831
¹¹ Badur, S., et al. (2022). Meningococcal disease and immunization activities in Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage: A review. Infectious Diseases Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40121-022-00620-0
¹² Smetana, J., et al. (2017). Influenza vaccination in the elderly. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2017.1343226
¹³ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Meningococcal vaccines: What you need to know. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mening/index.html
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