We all deserve a great summer vacation. But with everything that's going on, how can you keep family safe while traveling? We've got some helpful tips below!
Keep Family Safe Wherever You Go
This 2020 summer may not be a typical one due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but as states move to phases 2 and 3 of their reopening plans, consumer confidence is up.
After months of entire families being cooped up inside with schools, parks, and activities closed, and air travel limited, Americans are finally ready to venture out on their summer vacations.
Beaches, parks, and campgrounds are open and flights are being added back to the schedule daily.
But if you’re ready to get back to traveling, you’ll want to pack more protection than just your facemask and rubber gloves.
Your family’s safety is of paramount importance, and staying vigilant can save you a lot of stress and money, especially at a time when people are more concerned with hand sanitizer than physical safety.
Beyond the COVID concerns, crime rates increase by up to 35% in the summer.
Thought to be partially due to longer days and warmer weather, easy access to people’s homes through open doors, windows, and garages are also contributing factors.
Burglary, theft, car theft, and violent crimes all increase significantly, especially in Northern cities and tourist towns.
This summer, it’s more important than ever to plan your family vacation with safety in mind.
Consider a Driving Trip
Air travel is incredibly accessible these days, and passenger airlines are desperate to get travelers back on board.
But traveling through airports adds another level of safety concerns, such as:
- The speed and scope of child abduction
- The difficulty of traveling with firearms and weapons
- Close quarters with strangers
- Flight cancellations can leave you stranded
- Health safety concerns in enclosed spaces
- Theft, loss, and damage to luggage and possessions
A driving trip may restrict you to destinations closer to home but can also introduce you to local treasures, save you money, and provide you with much better opportunities to protect yourself and your family.
Tourists make for easy targets, while locals have a much better idea of the neighborhoods to avoid.
Traveling with Firearms
Traveling with proper protection is always recommended but not always possible.
It’s important to do your research and follow all local laws when traveling with guns and ammunition – or risk arrest, jail time, and hefty fines.
It is solely your responsibility to know and follow the laws everywhere you are traveling through and to.
Many states have reciprocity laws that accept other states’ concealed carry permits, but these become less common as you head into the Northeast.
If you have failed to do proper research, your travels take you farther than you expected, or your route changes, don’t take a chance on continuing to concealed carry.
Instead, lock your gun and ammunition in separate hard cases in your trunk and out of reach.
If you do decide to travel by air and pack your firearms in your checked luggage, it is recommended to:
- Research and follow both FAA and airline policies
- Arrive extremely early for your flight
- Keep photos of your guns and their serial numbers with you
- Purchase and use an extremely heavy-duty metal gun case
- Affix your name and address to both the outside and the inside of the gun case
- Break your gun down if possible, to make it as compact as you can
- Keep guns out of sight and secure during your trip
Basic Traveler Safety
In addition to taking the extra precaution of traveling with your firearms, always follow basic traveler safety tips to keep your family out of harm’s way:
- Keep photocopies of your IDs with you
- Be aware of your surroundings, especially in high-traffic tourist areas
- Secure your valuables; jacket pockets and back pockets in pants are not recommended
- Know contact numbers for emergency help at all places you are traveling to
- If traveling with children, choose destinations where you feel comfortable ensuring their safety
Stay Vigilant
Vacations are a wonderful way to relax and spend quality time with your family, but it’s imperative that you stay on the lookout for potentially dangerous situations.
Being pick-pocketed can put a damper on your trip, but violent crimes or attempted kidnappings can be much worse.
When choosing a destination for your summer travels, consider the locations where you can safely and legally carry a weapon that can help protect your family.
Where are you headed off to this summer? What are your plans to keep the family safe? Share some tips with us in the comments section!
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on July 8, 2020, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
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