Prepare Before Your Flight

Traveling during the holiday season, especially holiday air travel, introduces many new germs to your immune system. Avoid becoming sick during or after the holidays by drinking water days before your flight and preparing your immune system. Continue drinking water regularly while you are traveling so that your body stays hydrated. Sleep is important for the same reason and allows your body to fight bacteria that may cause sickness. Get plenty of rest, especially while during holiday air travel.

Allow Extra Time For Holiday Air Travel

Check Airport Status: Visit alaskaair.com/airport-guides for specific holiday air travel information, especially in hubs like Seattle. Arrive early, aiming for two hours domestic flights and three hours for international due to airport congestion.

Provide Extra Travel Time: To the airport due to increases in traffic. If you drive yourself to the airport, consider the time it takes to park and unload your vehicle. Store keys in an easy to find location and take a photo of your parking spot. This jogs the memory of where your car is parked upon your return home.

Reduce Check-In Wait Times: Check-in online before you leave your house. The goal of TSA is to get everyone through security as quickly as possible while also protecting travelers. Know the rules before you and prepare by putting liquids and electronics in easy-to-reach locations for holiday air travel security lines.

Luggage

Consider what you are taking and if you actually need it. Check bags when necessary but remember, you will have to lug everything through busy airports during holiday air travel arrivals and departures.

If you are transporting gifts on your flight, do not wrap the gifts ahead of time. If TSA needs to see what is inside, they can rip your wrapped gifts open.

Pack light for carry-on luggage and remember many flights during holiday air travel windows are full with very little overhead space. If you lock your luggage, make sure the lock is TSA approved. Finally, never leave your luggage unattended. It is a safety concern but also can get stolen.

Whether traveling by car, bus, train, or plane, plan ahead – avoid being overwhelmed by the crowds. General courtesy and safety precautions for holiday air travel keeps everyone safer. Travel safety considerations are the best way to avoid potential dangers.

Johnson Law has been helping injured Alaskans for 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Johnson Law wishes everyone a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.

Information Source: Alaska Airlines

Image Source: Adobe Stock

Key Tips for Toy Safety (Especially in December):

• Age Appropriateness: Always check the label for recommended age ranges and consider the child’s individual skills.
• Choking Hazards: Avoid toys with small parts for children under three; these are major causes of injury.
• Sharp Points/Edges: Inspect for sharp edges or parts that can fly off.
• Cords & Strings: Steer clear of toys with ropes, cords, or strings longer than 12 inches for young children.
• Batteries & Magnets: Be cautious with button batteries and small, powerful magnets, which are dangerous if swallowed.
• Material & Durability: Look for sturdy toys and avoid materials with lead or harmful chemicals, checking for safety seals like ASTM.
• Protective Gear: Gift sports equipment with the necessary helmet and pads.

Further Gift Considerations

This holiday season (and beyond), please consider the following Toy Safety guidelines:

• Inspect all toys before purchasing. Avoid those that shoot or include parts that fly off. Avoid toys with sharp edges or points. Toys should be sturdy enough to withstand impact without breaking, being crushed, or being pulled apart easily.
• Be diligent about inspecting toys your child has received. Check recommended age, skill level, and developmental appropriateness before gifting.
• Look for labels that assure you the toys have passed a safety inspection – “ATSM” means the toy has met the American Society for Testing and Materials standards.
• Gifts of sports equipment should always be accompanied by protective gear (give a helmet with the skateboard)
• Keep kids safe from lead in toys by: Educating yourself about lead exposure from toys, symptoms of lead poisoning, and what kinds of toys have been recalled; being aware that old toys may be more likely to contain lead in the paint; having your children wash their hands frequently and calling your doctor if you suspect your child has been exposed to lead. Consult the last two websites listed below for more information.
• Give only crayons and markers labeled nontoxic.
• Do NOT give toys with ropes and cords or heating elements.
• Do NOT give toys with small parts (including magnets and “button” batteries which can cause serious injury or death if ingested) to young children as they tend to put things in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking. If the piece can fit inside a toilet paper roll, it is not appropriate for kids under age three.

To sum up

Toy safety considerations are the best way to help avoid potential dangers. Planning before gift giving ensures a safer holiday season.

Johnson Law has been helping Alaskans injured Alaskans for 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Sources: American Public Health Association; The Toy Association

Image Source: Love To Know