AFTER a gruelling 2021, many of us are looking forward to some rest and relaxation over the festive season.

Make sure you end the year on a good note by following these simple safety tips while you’re on holiday.

Before you leave the house
Holiday safety starts in the home, which is why it’s important to start preparing for any holiday well in advance. Here is a checklist of what to do before you actually leave for your well-deserved vacation.
* Close all windows and doors.
* Check that your alarm system is working and alert your security company that you’re going away.
* Check the outside of the home and make sure you’ve locked away all tools and ladders.
* Ensure all the exterior lighting is working.
* Unplug all unnecessary appliances such as the TV and kitchen appliances, and switch off the geyser. This protects them in case of a surge, and also saves on energy.
* Keep any valuables in an off-site storage box rather than in your home.

Extra precautionary measures
There are some additional safety measures that you can take to ensure your home is not vulnerable while you’re on holiday. These include:
* Inform your neighbours you’ll be away and ask them to keep an eye on things.
* Inform your family of your route, destination and return dates.
* Cancel any newspaper subscriptions over this time.
* Install a time switch for lights or get a neighbour to switch on the lights.
* Avoid sharing details of your holiday plans on any social media platforms.
* Avoid leaving keys in easy-to-reach places.

Safety measures for those staying home
Even if you don’t plan on travelling over the holidays, this still remains a high-risk period for robberies and you need to remain alert. Some tips include:
* Discard any Christmas gift boxes either on the day, or take them to a refuse centre. Boxes for new electronics are a sure-fire way to alert potential thieves to your household contents.
* Lock all security gates, even if you’re entertaining outside.
* Keep connected with neighbours via relevant WhatsApp groups.

Check the safety of the vehicle
If you will be travelling over the holidays, your vehicle is an important part of the safety checks. So, before you head out, ensure that:
* Your car is completely roadworthy. Check the tyres, brakes and windscreen wipers.
* Check you have a reflective triangle and torch in the car.
* Check you have the required tools for changing a tyre.
* Get any window chips and cracks repaired before travelling.
* When travelling long distances, have a second driver to assist with the drive time.
* Take lots of water with you and stay hydrated.

What to do when travelling
When it’s time to hit the road, there are several other safety measures you can adopt to ensure a secure holiday experience:
* Wear a mask whenever you’re out.
* Keep hand sanitiser on you and in the car, and use it regularly.
* Maintain social distancing at all times.
* Plan your journey well ahead of time and familiarise yourself with the route.
* Charge all devices, and keep a charger in the car (hidden in a cubby hole when not in use), particularly if you’re using a route app such as Google Maps.
* Keep valuables out of sight at all times.
* Stop regularly, rehydrate and stay alert. While it’s important to enjoy some much-needed rest and relaxation, we have to remember the Covid-19 second wave is now upon us. This means remaining vigilant on the virus front as well as for your personal safety and protection.