Travel tips to dodge holiday headaches

By Lou Ponsi

As the holiday season arrives, many Orange County families are preparing to travel and reconnect with loved ones.

Nearly seven million residents are estimated to be traveling at least 50 miles away from home during the Thanksgiving holiday, according to the Auto Club of Southern California, which is about 7 percent higher than before the pandemic.

More than 700,000 Southern California residents are expected to travel by air, a 3 percent increase from last year and a 12.5 percent increase from 2019, according to the Auto Club.

“Holiday travel can be an exciting time to see friends and relatives, but it’s important to put safety first when traveling,” said Ziggy Azarcon, Public Information Officer for the Irvine Police Department.

Whether traveling by plane, train, or car, SafeOC has compiled a set of practical safety tips to help ensure the trip goes smoothly. By following these straightforward tips, Orange County travelers can help keep themselves and their families safe during holiday travel, SafeOC officials said.

• Before leaving home, travelers should secure property by locking all doors and windows, setting alarms, and setting timers for indoor lights.
• Alert a trusted neighbor that you’ll be away and pause mail delivery to avoid any buildup.
• Taking digital photos or scan important documents, such as driver licenses, passports and medical prescriptions, and have them handy just in case they’re needed.
• The Auto Club urges those traveling by car to make sure their vehicles are road-trip ready by checking the battery, tire pressure, and window wipers. Gassing up the night before saves time.
• Anyone planning to enjoy alcoholic beverages should absolutely have a plan in place. “Use a rideshare, designate a sober driver, or take public transit to ensure everyone’s safety,” AAA officials said.
• John Wayne Airport officials encourage travelers to arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes prior to departure time for domestic flights, and three hours for international flights. “This will allow time to comfortably park and complete the check-in and security screening process and will ensure you'll be at your gate in time to catch your flight,” airport officials said.
• Checking for flight and train delays is also a good idea.
• When arriving at an airport or train station, stay alert and keep a close on luggage and surroundings.
• Hotel guests should use the room safe to store valuables.
• Connecting to public Wi-Fi networks can also be risky and anyone logging on to a network shouldn’t ever access banking information or personal accounts on unsecured connections.
• Make sure to keep a list of emergency contacts handy.

Finally, SafeOC officials advise following the “see-something-say-something” approach and report any unusual activity immediately.

For more safety tips and updates, visit safeoc.com. Sign up here for the SafeOC newsletter.